Introduction 

Arthritis is a common condition that has affected millions of people worldwide. Individuals with this condition usually experience pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and discomfort in their joints. While we have conventional first-line treatments like medication and physical therapy, there has been a growing interest in alternative therapies such as magnetic therapy. In this article we will be exploring the use and effectiveness of magnetic therapy for managing arthritis, shedding light on whether it has the potential to be part of a comprehensive treatment plan for individuals suffering from arthritis. 

Arthritis

Arthritis is a multifactorial condition that affects individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. People with arthritis usually have an inflammation of the joints, which causes pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.¹ 

There are 2 very common types of arthritis, osteoarthritis arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In osteoarthritis arthritis, a person’s cartilage (the hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form a joint) is broken down gradually over time due to the wear and tear of muscles.² Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over one another and absorbs energy from the shock of physical movement. When cartilage breaks down the bones begin rubbing together, causing pain, swelling, and loss of motion of the joint.² Over time bone spurs may grow on the edges of the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes joint inflammation and can affect other areas of the body other than your joints. It occurs due to the immune system attacking the body's tissues and usually happens at a younger age than osteoporosis.³ Rheumatoid arthritis causes swelling and redness in joints, leaving some people feeling sick, tired or even feverish. Both osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis have an impact on a person’s quality of life and disrupt everyday activities. In severe cases, joints may gradually lose their alignment and shape. 

Conventional therapies 

Pain medication, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, physical therapy and even surgery in severe cases are just a few conventional therapies used in treating arthritis.⁴ Physical therapy has been used to enhance an individual’s joint flexibility and range of motion and lifestyle modifications are used to manage weight and mitigate stress that may affect joint movement.⁵ These therapies have been shown to alleviate symptoms, but they may not address the underlying causes which can sometimes lead to other side effects. 

Magnetic therapy 

Magnetic therapy has been used to alleviate pain and promote the healing of arthritis through the use of weak magnetic fields.⁶ The hypothesis behind it is unproven and the treatment is not part of mainstream medicine. Despite the lack of scientific backing, advocates believe that exposure to these magnetic fields can improve a person’s blood flow, reduce inflammation, and boost the body's innate healing mechanism.⁷ 

Type of magnetic therapy for arthritis 

There are various forms of magnetic therapy: 

• Static magnetic field therapy; magnets touch your skin this can be through a magnetic bracelet or other magnetised objects⁸ 
• Electromagnetic therapy: the magnets used have an electric charge and this type of treatment is usually done through the use of an electric pulse⁹ 

Magnetic therapy can be administered through bracelets, wraps and mattress pads.¹⁰ Unlike some traditional treatments, magnetic therapies can have the potential to offer individuals a non-invasive and potentially safer treatment option. 

While the exact mechanism of magnetic therapy has not been fully defined. There have been theories suggesting that magnets placed on the skin may influence the flow of ions and modules within the body which leads to changes in cell function, delivers nutrients to the joints and reduces pain signals.¹¹ However, this theory should not fool you; iron in the blood is not attracted to magnets because if this was the case in most cases the human body would explode when placed under an MRI machine. 

While magnetic therapies may seem attractive and innovative for easing arthritis pain as it is pretty simple and inexpensive, there is no conclusive evidence to back that it will truly work or if it is just a placebo effect. Studies looked at the use of magnetic therapy in treating rheumatoid arthritis and another looked at osteoarthritis.^12,13 From most of the studies looked at reviewers only found a few studies and didn’t see any consistent effectiveness for pain or improving the condition; there simply was not enough evidence to conclude. 

Clinical considerations

When considering the inclusion of magnet therapy, you should factor in some of the following points; 

• Safety: for the most part magnetic therapy is safe when used as directed. Individuals should ensure to consult their healthcare provider especially individuals with pacemakers, insulin pumps or other implanted medical devices
•  Magnet quality: not all magnets out there can be used for therapy as they are not all created in the same way. It is important that individuals only choose high-quality magnets from reputable sources to ensure efficacy and safety
• Consistency and usage duration: individuals using magnetic therapy may need to be consistent and use it for prolonged periods to see any optimal results. Patience will be very important
• Integration with conventional therapies: magnetic therapies should not be used or replace conventional treatments we currently have for arthritis but rather be used to complement them. It is essential to discuss magnetic therapy with your healthcare provider so they can create a comprehensive treatment plan

Summary 

In summary, arthritis causes joint inflammation and pain, it is conventionally treated with medication and therapy. We have seen that magnetic therapy may have some promise when it comes to managing symptoms of arthritis. While the evidence supporting the efficacy is not definite, certain forms of magnetic therapies are believed to reduce pain and promote healing. When deciding on whether to include a healthcare provider’s opinion is important to ensure it is safe to use. In conclusion, while magnetic therapy shows promise, further research is needed to validate pain management in arthritis.