Magnetotherapy is an alternative therapy used for the treatment of wounds, rheumatism, bone fractures, osteoporosis, but does it really work? Let’s find out what magnetotherapy is, when it is used, what benefits it would bring and in which cases it is contraindicated.

Magnetotherapy, what it is and how it works

Magnetotherapy is an alternative therapy based on the idea that magnetic fields applied to the body have beneficial and curative effects . Understanding in detail the mechanism according to which magnetotherapy should have the benefits it promises is quite complicated, since some concepts are presented in a very simplified way.

Promoters of the practice of magnetotherapy argue that magnetic energy can interact with cellular electrical charges, restoring the resting membrane potential of damaged cells and that magnets can act on iron bound to hemoglobin.

For this purpose, magnets are used in magnetotherapy to be applied directly to the areas to be treated and inserted into anklets, wristbands, knee pads, bands, blankets, shoe insoles. There are also machines for magnetotherapy with which sessions are carried out in specialized centers: the sessions last at least thirty minutes and it would take from ten to thirty sessions to be able to enjoy the benefits of magnetotherapy.

The magnets used for magnetotherapythey can create low or high frequency magnetic fields: low frequency magnetotherapy is used to promote the assimilation of calcium, stimulate bone calcification and accelerate the healing of fractures; the high-frequency magnetotherapy, on the other hand, would favor circulation, with an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving action.

Magnetotherapy is an alternative medical therapy not recognized by official medicine and there are no studies that have validated this therapy; however, it is a safe practice and does not present side effects; however, the use of magnetotherapy is not recommended during pregnancy and is contraindicated in people with pacemakers.

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Magnetotherapy: does it really have any benefits?

The promoters of magnetotherapy claim to be able to treat and cure numerous pathologies with this practice, especially of bones and joints and of the skin. As for the osteoarticular system, magnetotherapy would be indicated in case of osteoporosis , arthritis, fractures, inflammation and osteoarticular pain such as neck pain and lumbosciatica.

Magnetotherapy would also find application in the treatment of skin lesions, sores, edema.

The anti-inflammatory action of magnetotherapy would be due to an interaction between the magnets and the iron bound to hemoglobin: the magnetic field would then attract blood to the inflamed area, with an increase in nutrients and oxygen in the area to be treated and a consequent decrease in inflammation and pain relief and faster healing of skin wounds.

The benefits of magnetotherapy on the osteoarticular system would instead be related to the potential of calcium and would concern a better bone remineralization, responsible for the benefits in case of osteoporosis and fractures; the recall of hemoglobin on the sites of inflammation should instead be credited with the decrease in pain.

As we said,magnetotherapy is not a therapy recognized by official medicine since there is not enough evidence to prove the effectiveness of this therapy: the magnetic fields used in magnetotherapy would not be powerful enough to have an effect on the organism; furthermore, there is no evidence that magnetic fields are able to interact with the iron bound to hemoglobin or with the cellular electrochemical potential.

To prevent osteoporosis it is important to follow a balanced diet and carry out moderate but constant physical activity; with regard to osteoarticular pain , it is possible to resort to numerous herbal medicines useful to reduce inflammation and pain, among which we recall, by way of example, turmeric anddevil’s claw ; in the same way, inflammations and skin wounds can be treated effectively with natural products such as aloe gel or calendula: before resorting to expensive practices that have not proved valid, it would be preferable to employ established and effective remedies, as well as taking care of nutrition and following an active and healthy lifestyle.