Thanks to a variety of questionable claims, the medical magnet business is booming. Annual sales are about $300 million in the United States alone and over $1 billion worldwide. Magnets have been said to increase circulation, reduce inflammation, speed recovery from injuries, relieve low back pain, and even increase longevity and aid in cancer treatment. None of these claims are supported by any data.
There are two types of magnets: static (permanent) magnets whose electromagnetic fields are unchanging (these are the ones that are marketed to gullible grandmas) and electromagnets that generate magnetic fields only when electric current flows through them. In the future, science may find roles for the use of electromagnets, but we doubt that static magnets will ever have any utility.
One best-selling author, a vociferous proponent of magnet therapy, urges us to “neutralize electromagnetic chaos.” How do you do that, you might ask? You run out and buy an Electromagnetic Chaos Eliminator Pendant, stupid. Feel free to waste $99.99 if you wish.
We think a better use of magnets is for sticking your kids’ artwork to the fridge.
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"Do magnets work to cure pain?" was posted on Monday, June 16th, 2008 at 10:27 am.