Magnetic Bracelets for Arthritis

For alternative arthritis healing, magnetic bracelets that reduce pain and promote health and healing. In addition to treating arthritis, magnetic bracelets are becoming a popular alternative treatment for a number of other conditions including tennis elbow, back pain, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Some even suggest that healing magnets can relieve insomnia, reduce stress, improve disorders of the central nervous system and treat migraine. Research does show that magnetic therapy can relieve pain but there is not much evidence that validates the use of magnetic therapy for other ailments. Therefore, magnetic bracelet arthritis therapy is most often used for arthritic conditions, joint pain and muscle pain.

Magnetic bracelets are without side effects common in over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription pain relievers have. The magnetic field produced by the bracelet can improve the function of cells, organs and the efficiency of the central nervous system. How exactly this occurs still remains unknown. However, here are several lines of thought. Why magnets might relieve pain include:

· Blood flow is increased to an area where a magnet is applied. The flow of nutrients and oxygen increases and thus ultimately reducing pain and inflammation.

· The magnets create an electric current that may interrupt pan signal transmission through the central nervous system.

· The electrochemical reaction thwarts the nerve cells’ transmission of pain signals to the brain.

· Magnets relax capillary walls when positioned against the skin and thereby boosts blood flow to the immediate area.

· When magnets are applied to the body the effect can be a realignment of the electromagnetic field in the body.

· Magnets can create charged particles within the blood, thus dilating blood vessels and producing heat.

· Magnets can effect iron in the blood and thus can boost the blood’s oxygenation abilities.

The one caveat with magnetic bracelets is that these bracelets must be a certain strength. Magnetic charge is measured in gauss. Pain relief will be better with a higher gauss of the magnet. To promote health, magnetic bracelets should have a strength minimally of 550 gauss and up to 1,000 gauss for a maximum strength. Most agree that magnetic bracelets in the mid-range of about 800 gauss are best. For a comparison of gauss strength, a refrigerator magnet is commonly about 10 gauss and is not nearly strong enough to affect healing. The hematite magnetic bracelet is most commonly material used for magnetic therapy.

The magnet may be worn in as few as two or three hours and as much as 24 hours daily, depending on the amount of pain experienced. Wearing the magnetic bracelets for extended periods increases the bracelet's effectiveness. Therefore it is suggested that someone experiencing joint pain wear the magnets regularly for effective pain control.

A word of warning: Don't wear magnetic bracelets if you have a pacemaker or defibrillator or if someone near you has these medical devices. The magnets could disrupt the operation of an implanted defibrillator or pacemaker. Women who are pregnant also should not to wear magnet bracelets during pregnancy, as the safety has not been established.