Recently research conducted by Thomas Skalak, professor and chair of biomedical engineering, and Cassandra Morris, a former Ph.D. student in biomedical engineering at U.Va. looked at the effects of magnets on inflammation. The study was published in the November 2007 edition of the American Journal of Physiology.

The researchers induced inflammation in rats and then used magnets shortly afterward. The swelling and inflammation were significantly reduced by the magnets. They used magnets that were about 10 times stronger than refrigerator magnets which were about 10 Tesla.

They concluded that magnets could be used to treat injuries by reducing inflammation. The magnets work much like the more popular modalities such as ice. Injured tissues become inflamed because blood cells respond by releasing histamine and heparin. Histamine dilates the blood vessels while heparin inhibits clotting. Both work to bring more blood to the injured area. The magnets help to heal by vasoconstricting the blood vessels. Less blood means less inflammation.

One challenge to using magnets is the determination of the correct strength for specific tissues. Magnets could end up being the first treatment for sports injuries like sprains or strains.

Magnets can be thought of as a form of energy healing. The energy comes from the magnetic field. Other studies have shown that magnets help to alleviate pain in a number of conditions including arthritis and fibromyalgia. Magnetite, a natural magnetic material has been found in the brains of animals and may help them to navigate. Magnetic fields may also help to inhibit pain signals in the brain.

Generally practitioners who use magnets use a strength of 1000 to 3000 gauss for chronic diseases like arthritis, injuries and aches and pains. For smaller parts they use magnets with less power of about 500 gauss.

Magnets are contraindicated for use with pacemakers, implanted defibrillators or when pregnant. There have been many reports of healing with magnets but the use of magnets can be tricky. You have to know what strength to use as well as where they should be placed. Working with an experienced practitioner is recommended.

Perhaps someday magnets will be routinely used for treating inflammation.