Long before the advancement of evidence based medicine, health practitioners used a variety of therapies to treat and prevent pain. From the earliest recorded history of medicine, physicians and scientists were fascinated with magnetic substances and the way in which they affected the human body. 

The term ‘magnetic therapy’ refers to the use of static magnets placed directly on the body, generally over regions of pain. A static magnet is an ordinary permanent magnet, as opposed to an electromagnetic coil. Static magnets are either attached to the body by tape or encapsulated in specially designed products such as jewellery, belts, wraps or mattress pads.

Static magnets come in various strengths. The units for measuring magnet strength are gauss and tesla. One tesla equals 10,000 gauss. A refrigerator magnet, for example, is around 50 gauss. Therapeutic magnets measure anywhere from 300-5,000 gauss.

Today, magnetic therapy is a widely used form of alternative medicine with over 250 million people worldwide experiencing the purported effects.

How Does It Work?

Magnetic therapy is a complementary, non-invasive, natural therapy that has few side effects. It fits comfortably within the category of alternative medicine alongside acupuncture, homeopathy and even hypnotherapy. Despite this, it’s been subjected to significantly more clinical scrutiny and evaluation than most!

Magnetic therapy is designed to have an effect on the blood flow. The body’s cells have electromagnetic properties which means they can be energised by a magnetic field. Magnets can encourage blood flow and increase cellular activity in the body. In short, when a powerful magnet is placed against the body, cellular activity is increased and this in turn can increase the rate at which cells regenerate and repair.

Bioflow works with one of the world’s leading developers and suppliers of magnets and has done so for over 25 years, making us one of the country’s leading magnetic bracelet companies. The strength of this relationship gives us the ideal opportunity to be at the forefront of technological developments, sharing ideas and experience. This ensures that our products are at the leading edge of our chosen market space.

Today, the highest quality “sintered” neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) magnets are used and are manufactured to our own exacting standards. These rare-earth magnets are produced exclusively for us after a 14-stage manufacturing process. In short, these aren’t any old magnets!

What is the difference between biomagnetic therapy and magnetic therapy?

Biomagnetic therapy is a natural therapy that proposes reestablishing the normal internal cellular environment through the use of pairs of magnets of medium intensity that seek to equalize the organism’s pH level. The therapy is carried out by a Biomagnetism practitioner and each session can take between 1 and 2 hours.

Magnetic therapy is the application of a magnetic field through permanent static magnets or electromagnetic devices on certain parts the body to relieve pain.

The only similarity between biomagnetic therapy and magnetic therapy is that they both use magnets to change a condition in the biological system.

Magnetic therapy is a therapy for stimulating blood flow through veins, arteries and capillaries, and electromagnetic flow through the nervous system, whilst biomagnetic therapy alters the terrain where pathogens are disturbing equilibrium.

What types of magnetic therapy are there and how is it used?

There are two main types of magnetic therapy, Static and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF).

Static magnet therapy consists of placing permanent magnets on certain parts of the body to relieve pain.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy has been accredited in the U.S since 1991, by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “for use within the remedy of palliative postoperative pain and swelling, particularly about the remedy of surface soft tissue.” Used most often by orthopedists, PEMF sessions require the patient to have electromagnetic pulses directly applied to the injury to reduce pain. Electro Magnets create magnetic fields only when electrical current flows through them and are currently used under the supervision of a physician or in clinical trials.

Static magnetic therapy is incorporated into a huge number of products for both people and animals. These include:

  • Jewellery – magnetic bracelets, wristbands and necklaces
  • Body wraps and belts
  • Insoles
  • Pillows
  • Mattress toppers
  • Pet collars, coats and beds
  • Horse wraps, boots and rugs

There are also different types of magnets used in static magnetic therapy. These are:

Flexible rubber magnets

Flexible magnetic rubber magnets are commonly formed in sheets or strips and used for magnetic therapy in shoe insoles. On average, products made with this type of material will measure 200-350 gauss on the surface, depending on the thickness of the material.

Ceramic magnets

Ceramic magnets are most commonly used in body wraps, pads and cushions. On average, ceramic magnets used in magnet therapy products will measure 800-1100 gauss on the surface depending on the size of the magnet.

Neodymium magnets

Most commonly used in magnetic bracelets and wristbands and individually on pain trigger or acupuncture points. A typical neodymium magnet used as above will measure 1000-3500 gauss on the surface depending on its size.

Samarium cobalt magnets

These expensive, very brittle magnets are used in high quality magnetic jewellery where rusting is to be avoided. On average, a samarium cobalt magnet used in magnetic bracelets and jewellery will measure 1000-2500 gauss depending on its size.

Hematite magnets

Hematite has many natural bio-magnetic properties for humans. Commonly used as bead magnets in high quality jewellery where bead strands are used to create magnetic bracelets, necklaces or belts. On average, a hematite magnet will measure 1000-2500 gauss depending on the size of each bead.

What reports are there on the effects of magnetic therapy?

There have been many reports that document magnetic therapy and it’s effects. Harvard Medical School, New York Medical School, University of Tennessee, University of Texas, Baylor College of Medicine (Houston) and the Peninsula Medical School (Exeter) are just a few of the prestigious organisations that have both looked at and assessed magnets and magnetic therapy.

There are a large number of scientific, clinical trial reports that support the use and effectiveness of magnets and magnetic therapy. Do they all support the use of magnets as a definitive therapy? No, they don’t. But each of these listed below as a sample agree that, with varying degrees of effectiveness, the use of static magnets in the treatment of certain conditions does have a beneficial effect for the subject(s).

Here are a few examples:

‘Response of pain to static magnetic fields in post-polio patients’, 1997, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 78, Issue 11 – a double-blind pilot study found that “the application of a device delivering static magnetic fields of 300 to 500 Gauss over a pain trigger point results in significant and prompt relief of pain in post polio subjects”.

‘A critical review of randomised controlled trials of static magnets for pain relief’, 2005, Eccles, J Altern Complement Medicine, Jun; 11 (3): 495 – 509 concluded that “the weight of evidence from published, well- conducted and controlled trials suggests that static magnetic fields are able to induce analgesia”.

‘Use of magnet therapy to heal abdominal wound: a case study’, Szor & Topp, Ostomy / wound Management, 19 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/969754498, 44(5): 24-29. In this study, a 51-year-old paraplegic patient, whose abdominal wounds had failed to respond to conventional treatment, was given a static magnet within her usual wound dressing. Within one month, the wound had completely healed.

Whether the effect is a placebo or if it is real, there is significant anecdotal evidence to demonstrate that magnetic therapy is beneficial. In instances where an effect is not proven, it is identified that the use of such magnets on the skin surface has not been found to be detrimental to the health of the user.

What is magnetic therapy used for?

Magnetic therapy has been reported to help with a number of health conditions.

These include:

  • Arthritis
  • Sports injuries
  • Muscle spasms and soft tissue injury
  • Poor circulation
  • Travel sickness and vertigo
  • Fatigue syndrome
  • Migraine
  • Spondylitis
  • Sleep issues
  • Menstrual pain

It is important to highlight, however, that magnetic therapy is not guaranteed to alleviate any of the above conditions. There is no substitute for sound medical advice and we always recommend consulting a doctor or medical professional if you are concerned about a health issue.

Who can benefit from magnetic therapy?

While magnetic therapy isn’t for everyone, there are many people who may benefit from this natural and non-invasive treatment, often trying magnetic therapy for the first time when traditional medicinal methods haven’t proved successful for them or their pet. There are styles to suit everyone, offering magnetic therapy that is comfortable and discreet.

Arthritis is more common in women than men as women are more prone to chronic illnesses than men. There are many different reasons why someone might want to invest in a magnetic bracelet, meaning that magnetic therapy is popular with a range of both men and women, as well as pets!

It is important to note that magnetic therapy should not be worn by anyone with a pacemaker or any other implant that could be affected by magnetic fields. Pregnant women are also advised to consult their doctors before using magnetic products.