Magnetic Therapy

Dr. Manuela Mai studied medicine at the Universities of Heidelberg and Mannheim. After graduating, she gained clinical experience in gynecology, pathology and clinical pharmacology.She is particularly interested in the broader connections that lead to diseases - also outside of conventional medicine. She completed additional training in classical homeopathy as well as ear and skull acupuncture.

More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.

Magnetic field therapy is a naturopathic treatment method. Magnets or electrically generated magnetic fields are used, among other things, to inhibit inflammation, relieve pain or support healing. Some athletes also swear by the metabolism and blood circulation-promoting effect of magnetic field therapy. Read here when a magnetic field treatment can help, how it works and how the treatment works.

What is Magnetic Therapy?

Magnetic field therapy is one of the naturopathic treatment methods. Just a few minutes of contact with artificially generated magnetic currents should be enough to initiate healing processes in the body.

To do this, the therapist usually uses a pulsating magnetic field that is generated with the help of special electrical therapy devices. It is also treated with magnets that you hang up or wear in the form of a bracelet.

The electromagnetic impulses are supposed to normalize disturbed cell functions and promote healing processes.

The areas of application for magnetic field therapy are diverse. It is particularly often used to treat orthopedic and inflammatory complaints - from back pain to rheumatism. Depending on the findings, the effect can be seen quickly or only after a few weeks.

Although various forms of magnetic field therapy are used with success in some hospitals and increasingly also in medical practices, there is currently no recognized, scientific evidence for the effectiveness of magnetic field therapy.

How does magnetic therapy work?

Magnetic field therapy is based on the assumption that the cells of the body can be influenced by electromagnetic impulses. In fact, numerous processes in the body are based on electrical processes, including the heartbeat, the function of nerve cells, but also various metabolic processes. Electric charges are also effective in the individual cells of the body. If these are disturbed, the idea is that cell function is impaired. Your energy supply deteriorates and the removal of waste products slows down.

With the help of magnetic field therapy, disturbed electrical orozesse should realign themselves. The function of sick and inactive cells is supposed to normalize and healing processes are supported.

Magnetic field therapy is said to have the following positive effects:

• Inhibition of inflammation
• Strengthening the immune system
• Pain relief
• Improvement of the oxygen supply to the cells
• general vitalization

How does magnetic field therapy work?

Basically, there are two different types of magnetic field therapy today: treatment with a static magnetic field and treatment with a so-called pulsating magnetic field.

Pulsating magnetic therapy

When one speaks of magnetic field therapy, what is usually meant is a treatment with a pulsating magnetic field. With such a treatment, the required magnetic field can be generated artificially with the help of electricity. For example, coils, tubes, magnetic cushions or mats are used to expose the affected parts of the body to a weak magnetic field.

The pulsating magnetic field therapy takes place in a comfortable posture while sitting or lying down. For the treatment, the diseased part of the body is often guided into a tube that generates the magnetic field. With other methods of magnetic field therapy, the therapist leads a coil to the part of the body to be treated or applies a corresponding device directly.

You do not need to undress for the treatment. However, metallic objects such as jewelry and watches must be removed for treatment in the tube. This also applies to clothing containing metal.

Magnetic therapy at home

The treatment lasts around fifteen to thirty minutes and is usually carried out two to three times a week. In the case of a disease that requires longer use of magnetic field therapy, there is also the option of carrying out the treatment yourself at home with the help of home devices.

Electro-osteostimulation

A special form of pulsating magnetic field therapy is the so-called electro-osteostimulation. This method is used in some hospitals to aid in the healing of broken bones. Electrodes are attached to the bone in a surgical procedure. The tissue can then be electrically stimulated from the outside by applying an alternating magnetic field, which promotes bone formation - and thus the healing process.

Transcranial Magnet Therapy

Another form of pulsating magnetic field therapy is transcranial magnetic field therapy. In a copper coil, magnetic fields are built up for fractions of a second by current surges. The coil is placed near the head. The impulses are intended to stimulate certain areas under the skull. The pulsating magnetic field goes in waves through the brain and creates a flow of current that is supposed to stimulate the nerves. Frequency and strength can be controlled individually.

Static magnetic therapy

Static magnetic field therapy is carried out by placing magnets directly on the affected parts of the body, on scar tissue or acupuncture points. Unlike pulsating magnetic fields, these static magnetic fields do not affect static charges.

Permanent magnets are also used that remain on the body for a long time, for example in the form of magnetic plasters, bandages or bracelets. Magnetic cushions, mats and mattresses with built-in magnets are also used, as well as magnetic foils, magnetic jewelry, insoles with magnets and much more.

What to look out for

Magnetic field therapy should only be carried out after a thorough health examination. This is the only way to ensure that no necessary medical treatment is delayed.

Even when used to maintain health or for regeneration, acute and chronic diseases should be ruled out beforehand with magnetic field therapy.

It is very easy to use. Nevertheless, in more complicated cases, you should entrust yourself to a specialist.

It is recommended that you drink a large glass of water before and after use. Magnetic field therapy is intended to accelerate metabolic processes that produce waste products that have to be excreted through the kidneys. Drinking supports this process.

When can you use magnetic field therapy?

The fields of application of magnetic field therapy are extremely diverse. The effects can almost all be explained by the blood circulation and metabolism stimulating effect of magnetic field therapy.

Magnetic field therapy can have a pain-relieving effect, particularly in the case of problems with the musculoskeletal system, and has a beneficial effect on the healing process in the case of broken bones. Magnetic field therapy is used particularly frequently for osteoarthritis. But it is also very suitable for the supportive treatment of conventional medical therapy for rheumatism and osteoporosis.

In addition, magnetic field therapy is often used to relax muscles and activate the metabolism. Many athletes use this for better regeneration and to accelerate the healing of injuries.

In the following overview you will find a compilation of the most common areas of application for magnetic field therapy:

• arthrosis
• Back pain
• rheumatism
• Herniated discs
• Improve bone healing
• increased susceptibility to infection
• Circulatory disorders
• Blood pressure problems
• Fatigue, difficulty concentrating, lack of drive
• Herpes, neurodermatitis, psoriasis, acne
• delayed wound healing
• Indigestion
• Allergies
• Regulation of the hormonal balance
• Headaches and migraines
• Menstrual cramps
• dizziness
• Tinnitus

Are there any dangers and side effects?

The procedure is particularly popular because the side effects of the various forms of magnetic field therapy are so far unknown. It is painless; some patients report having a slight tingling sensation or warmth.

As with other alternative medical therapies, for example homeopathy, pulsating magnetic field therapy should also cause initial exacerbations. A brief worsening of the symptoms is assessed by the treating therapist as a good reaction to the therapy.

No therapy for patients with electronic implants

There are criteria that rule out magnetic therapy treatment. These are implanted pacemakers and other implants such as insulin pumps and defibrillators that are electronically controlled. The magnetic fields could disturb their function.

Unsuitable for pregnant women and small children

Pregnant women should avoid magnetic field therapy. Magnetic field therapy is also unsuitable for children, people with medication plasters and after organ transplants. Magnetic field treatments of the head should only be carried out by specialists and if necessary.

In no case does magnetic field therapy replace necessary conventional medical treatments, such as surgery. Here, however, the healing after the operation can be favorably influenced with the help of magnetic field therapy.

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