Saturday Quack – Magnets Don’t Really Work

Selling magnets for pain relief is a multi-billion dollar industry; it’s been estimated that as many as one in five people suffering from arthritis have used magnets or copper bracelets to treat their pain. Although their use has not been approved by the FDA as effective, there is plenty of marketing effort arguing to the contrary. Evidence is lacking, however.

A meta-analysis of available clinical data has now been reported in the Canadian Medical Journal. Analysis was limited to 29 trials which included a placebo, or a weak magnet as the control. Pain was measured using various scales; in 9 of them a visual analog scale was used where a mark on a line 100 mm long represents the level of pain. The results from these studies showed no significant difference in pain reduction between the magnets and the controls.

The other studies, which used a variety of pain scales, had more varied results, so they couldn’t be reliably pooled. However, there was no clear-cut benefit from magnet use on the level of pain. In the case of osteoarthritis there was insufficient data to eliminate a possible effect of magnet use – further studies are needed, as we say.

I suggest you save your expenditure on magnets. If you’ve already got some, use them on the fridge door – or to look for valuables lost on the beach.