What Can I Use Magnets For?
Pain Relief
Magnetic therapy’s #1 use is for pain relief. Whether for back pain, knee pain, arthritis, tendonitis, or even migraines, magnets provide a safe and easy method for relieving discomfort. In most cases, strong magnets must be placed directly over the area of pain. However, magnets can also be put on acupuncture points to affect certain areas of the body.
Current research suggests that magnets affect ion channels which can reduce and/or block nerve pain signals. Ions are electro-chemicals that have either a positive or negative charge. Their movement (ion channels) controls pain signals, muscle contraction, and other biological processes. Ions can be affected chemically (e.g. drugs), electrically, or magnetically.
Compared to other pain relief methods, magnet therapy has one major advantage. Both research studies and doctors agree that magnets have no side effects; so they can be used as often as needed. In fact, when the right magnets are used and properly applied, they can be effective up to 90% of the time. Not everyone can use magnets though. There are a few restrictions.
Healing After Injury or Surgery
Traditionally, ice and heat are used to affect blood flow, providing greater comfort and healing to an injured area. However, ice and heat both take time to radiate through muscle tissue to affect blood flow. They also require pauses in treatment that can allow swelling to return.
Magnet therapy is able to provide the same benefits of ice and heat, but works much faster. Studies and clinical trials (on humans and animals), have shown that strong magnets can quickly reduce swelling, bruising and pain, and can significantly speed up healing from bone fractures and surgical wounds.
Strong magnetic fields work fast because they're able to reach deep muscle tissue immediately. This means they can affect more blood flow in less time, leading to faster relief. Magnets can also be used for as long as necessary, without any pause in treatment to slow down recovery.
Better Sleep
Magnetic mattress pads improve blood circulation, relaxing muscles throughout the entire body when you lay down at night. This helps reduce physical stress that may cause poor sleep, and helps the body recover from aches and pains.
The pineal gland produces the natural hormone, melatonin, which prepares the body for sleep. It also regulates circadian rhythm, our natural sleep/wake cycle. During winter months, and as we grow older, the pineal gland produces less melatonin. It takes longer to fall asleep, and becomes more difficult to sleep through the night.
Several 6-12 month clinical trials have found that sleeping on a magnetic mattress pad or pillow can greatly improve quality of sleep. Research suggests that applying a strong magnetic field near the head may naturally stimulate the pineal gland. This improves melatonin levels - making it easier to fall asleep and rest through the night.
Do not use magnets:
- If you are pregnant
- If you have a pacemaker, defibrillator, insulin pump, or any implanted electro-medical device
- Near open or bleeding wounds
- Near transdermal drug patches
- On the same body area that has received a cortisone injection within the past 2 weeks
