Magnets are great for keeping your grocery list on your fridge, but could they also reduce pain and help you sleep better? Yes and no. First, it’s important to note that therapeutic magnets have little to do with the souvenir fridge magnet you got from the Grand Canyon last summer.
Why You Will Not Get Therapeutic Benefits from Household Magnets
The magnets used for therapeutic purposes can each reach up to 70 times stronger than a typical household magnet. A fridge magnet has roughly 50 gauss. Gauss is a unit of measurement for magnetic strength. By comparison, neodymium magnets used in most magnetic therapy products range from 1,000-3,500 gausses each!
Additionally, most magnetic therapy jewelry available on the market today contain multiple magnets and that amount will vary based on the type of jewelry, such as magnetic therapy bracelets, magnetic necklaces, and magnetic rings. In some pieces, like the MagnetRX® Ultra Strength Magnetic Therapy Bracelet, there are over 45 high-strength magnets, totaling over 150,000 gauss in one bracelet!
Why Does Gauss Matter?
150,000 of anything sounds like a lot, but what does that strength mean? Why does that have the potential to give you therapeutic benefits, but a weaker magnet does not? This has to do with the theories behind magnet therapy.
In the early days of the therapy, ancient scientists used magnets based on the idea that they could draw out disease. Since blood contains iron, it was theorized that a magnet would attract this metal and bring the disease with it.
This elementary idea has greatly evolved in modern times as more is learned about the magnetic fields of earth and our bodies. Today, magnetic therapy is largely based on the idea of affecting biofields, which are the energy fields said to surround our own bodies.
Our bodies have around 1 gauss. In contrast, the earth’s surface has an average rating of 0.5 gauss. This difference could be resulting in a decrease in our own biofields. Strong magnets could help to replenish or realign these magnetic fields. This may promote healing and general well-being. Because of this, magnets may aid other therapy methods prescribed by your doctor. They can also be safe for everyday use, unlike many other therapies or pain medications.
- Improved Circulation: Similar to what ancient scientists may have believed, magnets may be used to improve blood flow to a specific area of the body. Unlike those early studies, however, this is not about curing diseases. It is, instead, said to promote general healing through improved circulation.
- Chronic Pain Relief: Chronic pain is one of the leading causes of disability and decreased quality of life. This frequent or prolonged pain is most often caused by an abundance of lactic acid and calcium. A recent study showed that this calcium in cells responded to magnets. This could point to a more efficient way of moving calcium through the body and taking the pain with it.
- Reduced Inflammation: Inflammation is a common cause of pain and other ailments. It often occurs when you have an injury or infection. Chemicals released from your white blood cells go to the area to help protect you from the invading element. The resulting redness and swelling are painful and have the potential for long term effects. Magnetic therapy jewelry might be able to help with this by improving blood flow to these areas of the body.
- Better Sleep: Insomnia can be caused by many factors. One of the most common is pain bothering us at night. If you have ever tried to sleep while your body is aching, you know how hard it is to fall asleep and get a good night's rest. Both magnetic jewelry and sleeping pads could help with the reduction of pain and stiffness.
- Improved Flexibility: Whether from injury or aging, decreased flexibility can have a major impact on your life. Many customers have reported that magnets have helped relax their tightened muscles and ligaments causing inflexibility. This may be accomplished with a magnet’s potential to improve blood flow and create a magnetic field conducive to tissue regeneration.
- Increased Vitality: Due to the potential benefits of magnetic therapy jewelry, they can be a key factor in overall vitality and well-being. With the possibility of improved sleep and reduced pain, many users have reported improvements in both mental and physical health.
Maximizing the Benefits of Magnetic Therapy Jewelry
All magnets are not created equal. As we can see from the importance of the total gauss strength, it is essential to buy magnetic therapy jewelry from a trusted brand that offers products with high strength magnets. While the magnetic strength required to get the best results may vary by individual, here are some general guidelines to get the most out of your magnetic jewelry:
Wear the Jewelry Where the Pain is: This can be an easy choice if you are suffering from something like carpal tunnel syndrome. In this case, a magnetic bracelet would be best to target the area in the wrists. Either on one wrist or both. However, if you have knee pain it can be difficult to wear magnets comfortably in that area for long periods. Instead, start by wearing a bracelet on the affected side.
Skin Contact: Ideally, the jewelry should be worn directly on the skin. No clothing or other items should be in the way. However, they should not be worn directly against a wound or irritated skin of any kind.
Water Contact: While most high-grade magnets will not be impaired by water contact, it is important to select magnetic therapy jewelry that is resistant to water if you plan on getting the bracelet wet or being active while wearing it. Silicone, stainless steel, and titanium jewelry are all fine options for anyone that might get wet while wearing their magnetic jewelry. Keep in mind that jewelry of other magnetic substances like hematite should not be used in water as it will quickly tarnish.
Conclusion
Magnetic therapy jewelry has been used for a wide range of applications. With the potential to promote pain relief, reduce inflammation, and improve sleep quality, therapeutic magnets may be able to increase overall well-being. To maximize these possible benefits, different jewelry pieces can be worn on different areas of the body. Many users start with magnetic bracelets as they are easy to wear and come in many designs that look just like ordinary bracelets!
