Is Magnetic Therapy For Back Pain Proven To Work?

Chronic pain is a real issue for a large percentage of Americans, specially chronic back pain. A recent New York Times article about magnetic therapy had some interesting information about one alternative method of pain therapy, using magnets as a form of pain killer.

Magnetic devices are claimed to relieve pain and to have therapeutic value against a large number of diseases and conditions. The way to evaluate such claims is to ask whether scientific studies have been published. Pulsed electromagnetic fields—which induce measurable electric fields —have been demonstrated effective for treating slow-healing fractures and have shown promise for a few other conditions. Relatively few studies have been published on the effect on pain of small, static magnets marketed to consumers. Explanations that magnetic fields “increase circulation,” “reduce inflammation,” or “speed recovery from injuries” are simplistic and are not supported by the weight of experimental evidence.

While medical research indicates any such benefits are imaginary, it also suggests that – such is the power of the mind – the imaginary sometimes works pretty well. A well-designed 16-week study published this year, British scientists compared the effects of a popular magnetic device, a weak magnetic wrist strap, a demagnetized device and a copper bracelet in people with osteoarthritis. Their findings were blunt.

“Our results indicate that magnetic and copper bracelets are generally ineffective for managing pain, stiffness and physical function in osteoarthritis. Reported therapeutic benefits are most likely attributable to non-specific placebo effects. However such devices have no major adverse effects and may provide hope.”

New York Times article

The Minimally Invasive Spine Institute

Tags: Back Pain, Medical Questions, Minimally Invasive Spine Institute