Hello!

Magnet therapy is very effective for bone regeneration because it changes the metabolism of calcium. Currently they are investigating new lines for the use of magnet, you can consult in PubMed. Side effects reside primarily in the contraindications of the technique itself.

Hi!

There is one Cochrane systematic review included four English papers on it, indicating potential benefit. In addition, there are many papers published in Chinese showed that magnet therapy is potentially effective for bone healing. You can search the CNKI database.

Our experience with magnets is that it increases blood supply to the areas affected by the magnetism and helps add ions to the minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium, etc. That would be main change in metabolism that Javiar mentioned above. Excellent question, and one that needs a lot more science behind it so we can explain it better. Thank you!

I agree with Javier, Max and Yang. It is very helpful. We published a paper recently on spinal cord injury induced osteoporosis and we got good effect of magnetic therapy on bone healing. Also there are studies on patients as well as on experimental animals on Pubmed. Magnetic therapy in the form of rTMS using by clinician for different diseases. But still we have study more to give the clear answer.

Hi, Please inform of the type of magnet therapy. Static magnets or pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF)? This is a very interesting topic due to the range of static magnets, and types of PEMF devices. It will be enlightening to review the current studies.

Although I've not worked directly with the magnets, Phil, my therapists that have report static magnets ranging from 100-10,000 gauss used to attract charged particles in the blood to areas of injury or lesion. I have not looked at efficacy from a scientific standpoint, but this question certainly piques interest in doing so.

HI

We have used the extremely low frequency pulse magnetic field in spinal cord injury model. We also study the effect of magnetic field stimulation on pain.

Hi Max,

Yes, static magnets have a significant range related to their gauss level. I came across a website, stating that multiple magnetic polarity is the main criteria towards improved healing outcomes. Multiple magnetic polarity refers to quadripolar and octipolar magnets vs. the conventional bipolar magnets. The website is: http://www.qmagnets.com/

The website states:

"The research on magnetic therapy shows that quadrapolar or Q magnets desensitise or dampen down pain firing nerve fibres in a way that is not shared with common bipolar magnets."

"Q magnets are a listed medical device primarily used for the treatment of pain and injury recovery. They are the real deal and the most powerful pain relief magnets in the world."

"At the heart of a Q magnet is a single body quadrapolar static magnet with four alternating poles. The unique and patent pending design of the quadrapolar magnet produces steep magnetic field gradients which is the key to its therapeutic effect."

"There is now overwhelming evidence from cell studies, animal studies, case studies and randomized controlled trials that static magnetic fields can be optimised for therapeutic effects. Based on this research and the feedback of 1,000’s of patients and 100’s of health professionals we have developed devices that can calm down over sensitive pain pathways."

This information sounds impressive. It will be interesting review their research to confirm that science/ evidence based medicine prevails, and represents appropriate credibility.

Yes, quite impressive, and I've been in the field long enough to trust that it likely works as stated. Putting hard science behind it is the difficulty because the big money interests are in designer drugs and overmedicaliation of symptoms into recognized disease states that can be mass marketed. Hoping fo the day when true concern for healing instead of the more profitable managing of disease becomes the order of the day. One thing I can say with total confidence is that "the best doctor in the house" resides in each and every (normal) cell of the body.

Read book Cross Currents by Robert O. Becker MD IBBN 0-87477-536-1 distributed by St. Martin's Press New York

Hi Robert,

Does the book, Cross Currents, by Becker, support the use of magnets? I have recently spoke to other health practitioners, who have been using static magnets. Apparently, the outcomes are mixed. Some patient responses are positive. Is this the placebo effect or the course of normal healing? It may be best to analyse the literature to establish a science based conclusion.

I agree with Phil's last comment. The possibility of placebo effects is something to be concerned about is high quality studies controlling for placebo are not available. I am concerned about statements that come from personal observation alone as these are most prone to bias.

I would be most wary of products marketed to consumers as these tend to have low quality static magnets for which there is little good evidence for effect.

The Cochrane Collaboration have not directly addressed use of magnets per se but they are mentioned in these two reviews:

http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD003219/oral-steroids-splinting-ultrasound-yoga-and-wrist-mobilisation-provide-short-term-relief-from-carpal-tunnel-syndrome-but-other-non-surgical-methods-have-not-been-shown-to-help.

and

http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD004251/electrotherapy-for-neck-pain

concluding that PEMF is "possibly better than placebo" and static magnets were "no more effective than placebo"

In conclusion given the low prior probability of suggested mechanisms of action ("pulling" blood to the injured area) the evidence would have to be robust and of high quality indeed for magnets to be considered as more than an adjunct to standard approaches.

Robert: The underlying message of Becker's work, as I recall, was on the ionic nature of the environment and human body, to which Ive subscribed for many years now. For instance, calcium in its inert form is really nothing needed by the body, but in ionic form it becomes the principle neurotransmitter that keeps the heart beating, the smooth muscles from spasm, and inspires the osteoblasts needed for bone formation and maintenance (as opposed to osteoclasts). Most of all, the maintenance of ideal cellular pH at 7.45 (where disease is rare and health at its most robust), depends upon calcium ions.

I also note that Becker was one of the warning voices to the unhealthy bombardament of electromagnetic and microwave technologies that are now plaquing the environment. I have always felt the environmental movement was missing the most important kind of pollution and obsessing over the more questionable concerns.

So, I appreciate you bringing Becker's work into the discussion. Quite salient in addressing the question at hand.

Static magnetic or even slow flux field has positive effect on several structures, including receptor site gating

2 more books that may provide insight

Electromagnetic Bio-Information

Baltimore ISBN 0-8067-1531-6

Publisher Urban & Schwarzenberg 1979

And

Electromagnetic Medicine

ISBN 978-0-8247-4700-8

Publisher Taylor & Francis Group 2004

Several different studies discuss using micro-current for wound healing which I have seen in clinical practice IE-. Decubitous ulcers and rapid resolution of significant hematomas.

Darcy, I looked at the Cochrane Collaboration and note that it was not as thorough as it should be to make the blanket statement about the ineffectiveness of "other non-surgical methods"--lots of studies, to the tune of hundreds per year exist on Class IIIb and IV cold laser which have shown consistent relief for the conditions listed in their review. Professional observation ascertained with clinical procedures and measures is actually a good way to adjudge effectiveness albeit in case history (qualitative) fashion. The fact that even the case histories do not constitute generalizability does not negate efficacy relative the cases examined. We very much question the bias we see in studies on surgical and pharmaceutical modalities as the vast majority of these we see in this very busy clinic invariably come back in with reports of a return of the problem.

Whereas, a truly researcher-practitioner oriented practice looks objectively at efficacy on a patient by patient basis regardless what the data say...often floor or ceiling effects coupled with too-brief therapeutic windows obscure true long-term benefits or failures. Thank you for bringing these points into the discussion.

PS Type 2 Occupational Overuse Syndrome cases we find do not work well with any modality in the long term without psychotherapeutic approaches that address the mind/body behaviors that trigger the pain episodes, particularly when regarding trait personality (perfectionist, OCD) and experiential history (abuse, trauma, PTSS, etc.). I mention this beccause so often these discussions tend to revolve around technologies or surgeries or drugs irrespective of the more powerful and often triggering mechanisms of mind-body influences.

Basset et al started to study electromangnetic fields in year 1962, and noticed helpful effect to bone healing. Later on, this has not been confirmed in later studies. The same seems to be also in magnetic therapy studies. We have also studied the effect of low-density US for fracture healing, and noticed not at all the effect for bone healing (Lauri Handolin et al). Until yet, we dont know any method to accelerate bone healing in fractures.

Shock wave therapy is a method that helps healing in cases of delayed union or not union. The first authors to apply this method were Valchanov and Mihailov in the 70's.

Anything increasing vascularization at the site of lesion will increase healing activities and access to our adult stem cells which can differentiate into the needed tissues for healing. So, from that and possibly other vantage points, magnet therapy should definitely aid in the healing process. 

Max, what about the presence of metal implant at the site of lesion and the effect of magnet therapy ? In my opinon the magnet therapy could have a negative effect if the implants have ferro-magnetic properties. Of course, most of the implants used today are made of technically pure titanium or titanium alloys. But the problem is not solved definitely.

Yes, Panayot, if there are metal implants with ferro-magnetic properties, I would suspect potential issues to consider. But then I have to consider my own multichannel cochlear implant which is held in place by a magent on the outside and  inside and that area where the external magnet attaches I have a white spot of hair the size and shape of the magnet itself.  Possibly, the effect of having a positive electron rotation in the metal and/or magnet and having a negative electron rotation of the human cells may present even more considerations. But over all, all factors being equal, if there is not implant metal prostheses near the site of lesion, my feeling and anecdotal observations are that healing at the site of a bone fracture is more likely to heal faster with the magnet.  

Pulsed Magnetic Fields generated in very low frequency & amplitude has been found to have anti inflammatory effects , heals injured tissues & gives pain relief . The greatest benefit has been in fracture healing . It is also valuable in healing ulcers ( Diabetic , pressure , venous ) , Osteoarthritis of knee & spine , Sports injury , post operative pain relief & rapid healing of tissues in plastic surgery & various neurological diseases ( Parkinson's disease , multiple sclerosis , migraine , painful neuropathy & depression )  . It is the magnetic fields generated by electricity , which is pulsed & the three components of low amplitude , low frequency & type of wave ( sine , square , saw tooth ) which is essential for its benefits , as they are able to penetrate deep into the tissues , which is not possible by magnets alone . FDA has approved it for treatment of non healing fractures .

Dear Dr. Shivakumar,

Your posting has a valuable sense.

Could you please direct me to some articles  published in scientific periodicals or papers on your personal experience? Thank you for your efforts in advance.

Dear Panayot Tanchev,

 I have placed my article under dataset on our experience with Pulsed Magnetic Field therapy in Chennai , which you could view under my contributions in RG . The references we have cited will be useful to you . Thanks for your interest .

  Our experience has revealed that Extremely Low Frequency ( 1 - 10 Hz ) & low amplitude ( 1500 nano Tesla ) along with Sine / Square wave was adequate for eliciting very good biological response in various tissues . This was one of the major contribution of our Institute . This has been our protocol to treat various diseases .  There was good therapeutic effects on Osteoarthritis of knee & spine , Polyarthritis ( Rheumatoid & Sero - negative ) , fracture healing , Lepritic & Diabetic ulcers .

 A study from CMCH  Vellore on healing of fracture & articular cartilage utilizing the protocol given above are given below.

I agree that there are many benefits of the magnetic therapy. It almost can replace acupuncture treatments. However, for some patients, the meridian transmission effects are not good.

Moreover, I used high magnetic strength has better treatment effects. If Dr. Shivakumar's institute studying magnet therapy, will you study 12,000 Gauss magnet treatment result? If you want, I can give you the magnet spec.

Meanwhile, I doubt that the earth poles are changing and there has more and stronger electromagnetic field interference to our body, I feel that stronger magnetic force can have a more effective impact on the severe sick situation or weak constitution. It is opposite with the documents that I read. Will you study it?

Oh, Sorry that I used some fix strong magnet therapy and got excellent results. Will you please recommend some good pulsing devices or gate type magnet therapy machine for me to recommend to Taiwan to do studies? Thanks. It can cut down medical cost.

What is the significance of the constant in the equation for Normalized yield strength ? - ResearchGate. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_significance_of_the_constant_in_the_equation_for_Normalized_yield_strength#5865e122eeae392acd2aceb5 [accessed Dec 29, 2016].

PEMF is valuable for various painful diseases . It is a non pharmacological therapy , reducing the side effects of NSAIDS & plays a vital role in reducing inflammation & heals damaged tissues .

PEMF is valuable in various neurological diseases , such as Parkinson's disease , drug resistant depression & migraine . In Parkinson's disease , it improves motor & non motor symptoms . Magnetic field therapy has become the treatment of choice for drug resistant depression .

Dear Amirul,

I have practical experience with several forms of magnetotherapy, starting 20 years ago with magnetic field therapy (magnetes with 9000 Gauss) that can be applied with tape directly on the skin. At the time I research the effect of this therapy in the hamstring stretch induced pain.

After I start using Pulsed Magnetic Fields, were I treated several athletes with fractures with delayed union. At the time with low intensity (0.5 T) and frequencies between 1 and 50 Hz which are consider the most effective in the human body.

The described effects in literature include some of the followings: improving circulation by opening arteries and capillaries; Increasing oxygen levels in your cells; Reducing pain, swelling and inflammation; Stimulating endorphins and serotonin for cellular repair; Working as a catalyst in increasing bone density and muscle mass.

Although there is clinical acceptance with positive feedbacks, truly, there is need to do further research to better understand the underlying mechanisms.

Currently I use the Super Inductive System (SIS) technology allowing also to selective depolarize nerve fibers. Even though the therapy does not require direct contact between the skin and the applicator, it targets the deep lying structures, bringing the results such as pain relief or muscle stimulation. The therapy is based on the interaction between the high intensity electromagnetic field and human body. Once the electromagnetic field is generated by a coil placed in the applicator, neuromuscular tissue is depolarized and muscle contraction occurs. With the Super Inductive System you can effectively treat various disorders of neuromuscular and joint-skeletal system including delayed bone fractures.

All the best,

Telmo Firmino

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hello, i have suffered a bad sport injury (ski collision) which resulted in a complex comminuted double open fracture (tibia and fibula) and it is slow healing. i have plates and screws holding the bones. My physio is suggesting magnetotherapy and just wanted to ask specialists in the field whether one should have reservations associated with the metallic inserts?

many thanks in advance Laurent

Read Work by Robert Becker MD

Cross Currents

And

The Body Electric

Bone stimulator for non-union fractures Came about from this research

Yes. I use magnets in many health issues including nearby skin fractures. For deeper fractures, acupuncture with electrical stimulation and/or moxibustion is better.

A clinical study here you should find useful...

https://www.qmagnets.com/wp-content/uploads/Constantino-et-al-Treatment-of-wrist-and-hand-fractures-with-natural-magnets.pdf