Magnet Therapy for Spinal Pain: Does It Actually Work?

When you think of magnets, you probably think of those refrigerator decorations that your friends bring you after a vacation, but now, magnets are purportedly being used as a healing device. Magnet therapy really is not new, as Greek physicians actually used it during the third century and it was even rather popular in the Middle Ages, but then it died off for a while in its use. Now, we are seeing a resurgence in its use and I have had an opportunity to try it for the pain I have related to my spine.

How Are Magnets Supposed to Work?

The practitioner placed magnets close to the areas of my body that were painful. The theory is that the magnets would create a magnetic field and that this would, in turn, alleviate my pain. Another theory is that the magnetic field would block pain signals by changing nerve cell function. There are other theories as well.

Did Magnet Therapy Work for My Spinal Pain?

To be perfectly honest? No, it did not work in the least bit. I left the magnets on all day, over the course of a week and experienced no pain relief. I would think that after a week, I would have noticed at least a little relief if this therapy was going to work.

Now, there are some people who do swear by magnet therapy. Perhaps their pain is not as severe as mine or perhaps they are using a different magnet. I do not know. I think when it comes to this therapy, it is definitely something you will have to try for yourself.

What Else is Magnet Therapy Believed to Relieve?

Pain in general. There are actually active studies being conducted right now to test this therapy's efficacy for fibromyalgia, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and knee osteoarthritis. If you have pain, this type of therapy can be tried, given that you do not have any of the risks that will be discussed below.

Are There Risks with Magnet Therapy?

Yes, actually there are. This practice is generally safe, but there are a few factors that could be negatively impacted by this therapy. If any of the following apply to you, you should not do magnet therapy: unhealed wounds, pacemaker, defibrillator or insulin pump. It is thought that the magnets could possibly adversely affect the function of these devices.

Resources

American Cancer Society: Magnetic Therapy