Magnetism is one of the core forces of the universe, according to modern science. It is also among the most enigmatic, seemingly capable of generating a multitude of effects that seem wholly unrelated to it. So it is no surprise that some people believe that there is a plausibility behind the seemingly ridiculous idea of magnetic pain relief. At the moment, the idea is hardly considered scientific fact, but some research groups are taking the concept seriously. This is primarily because there have been no verifiable, concrete details on whether or not magnetic pain relief concepts work, which means that the argument could still go either way. That is, until a more definite answer can be found.

At the moment, there is no verifiable scientific evidence that says magnetic pain relief actually works. Any reports of tests that have conclusive evidence have turned out to be fraudulent, or the results could not be replicated by independent groups. In the latter case, it can sometimes be a sign that the studies are rigged or that the results are invalid. However, there is a healthy amount of anecdotal evidence suggesting that it does work. While not everyone who has tried using it has stated that it works, there is a large enough number of them to make it worth noting. Most researchers that take magnetic pain relief seriously believe that there are probably a few variables that determine whether the technique will work or not.

In the medical industry, there are basically two types of magnets being utilized. The first is the static magnet, named such because the field it generates does not change with environmental conditions. The other type would be the electromagnet, which only generates a field whenever an electric current is passed through it. Of these two types, only the former is made commercially available, albeit in a limited capacity. Electromagnets are used only under the supervision of a medical professional, if they are used at all. Reports coming in from tests conducted on both types are conflicting, with some reporting positive effects while others indicate no effects at all. This effectively renders the whole thing inconclusive.

The possibility of a placebo effect coming into play during the use of magnetic pain relief has also been suggested. Some skeptics have suggested that the anecdotal evidence may be nothing more than the result of the placebo effect. The patient believes in the effectiveness of the magnets so much that the body reacts to the belief of getting better, though nothing is really being changed or treated. However, there is not enough evidence to prove that this is the case.

Some scientists have noted that, while magnets may not play a role in relieving pain, it might not be harmful to try it. As far as medical science is aware, using magnetic fields to help fight pain in patients does not have any harmful side effects on the body. There is no guarantee that it will have a positive effect, or any effect at all, but so far, no one has reported any pain-related conditions becoming worse after magnetic therapy.