Arthritis

• Arthritis affects the musculoskeletal system--the parts of the body where the muscular system and skeletal system interact. The most prevalent site of arthritis in the human body is the joints, made up of cartilage and other natural lubricants. Arthritis is caused by normal wear and tear of the body from age, and can be accelerated by injury and weight. In the hands, Heberden's nodes may appear as bulbous growths on the joints. The knees, hips and upper and lower back may all exhibit signs of decreased mobility and intense pain.
  
  

Arthritis & Blood Flow

• Because of the blockage caused by inflamed joints and tissues, arthritis can seriously impact blood flow surrounding an affected area. However, the ability to increase blood flow to the affected area can result in relieved pain, reduced inflammation and increased mobility. More blood allows the release of proper nutrients to the site of damage, healing the affected area enough to temporarily relieve pain. Light, regular exercise is one easy way to improve your body's blood flow. Of the many other therapies used to stimulate blood flow, one of the most popular is magnetic therapy.
  
  

Magnetic Therapy

• Magnetic therapy has been in use in Eastern cultures for thousands of years. Ancient Greeks and Egyptians both are documented as having used magnetic therapy to relieve pain and promote healing from wounds. Although there is minimal documented scientific evidence of the health benefits of magnetic therapy, clinical studies have found favorable responses in patients with conditions such as fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.
  
  Magnetic fields generated by magnets affect the body because chemical reactions inside of the human body create magnetic fields themselves. The magnetic fields generated by therapeutic magnets can range between 300 gauss and 4000 gauss in power. By comparison, a refrigerator magnet measures about 60 gauss, which is a measurement of magnetic influction. Magnets used in magnetic therapies do not need to be large, and many companies offer stylish bracelets or necklaces that provide magnetic therapy.
  
  People have theorized that magnetic therapies can improve blood flow by stimulating the movement of iron in the blood, or by protecting cellular damage from radiation. In a study at the University of Virginia, published in 2007, magnets were found to increase blood vessel dilation in rats, improving blood flow. Although clear-cut scientific evidence does not exist linking the use of magnetic therapies in humans to improved blood flow and arthritis relief, people spend billions of dollars worldwide on magnetic therapy-associated goods and services each year.
  
  

How to Use Magnets

• Magnetic therapy products are available at a variety of health and drugstores. Different therapy products include wearable magnetic bracelets or magnetic bead necklaces. Magnets will produce the greatest electromagnetic effect on the closest parts of the body, so buying a form of magnetic jewelry that can be easily worn near the affected site is a good idea. A patient cannot overdose on electromagnetic fields, so magnets can be worn for long periods at a time--up to a week. However, because of concerns over the long-term effects of electromagnetic disruption in the body, it is recommended that a person pursuing magnetic therapy take off any magnets being worn after a week, keeping them off of the body for a few days.
  
  Although any type of therapy should be pursued under the direction of a proper therapist, magnetic therapies are not regulated by the United States Food and Drug Association, so magnetic tools can be applied without therapist supervision.
  
  

Risks

• There are certain instances when magnetic therapies should not be pursued. People with implanted surgical devices, such as a pacemaker or insulin pump, should not use magnetic therapies. The impact that magnets have on blood flow can affect the development of fetuses, so pregnant women are advised to avoid magnetic therapies. Magnetic therapists can be consulted for advisement on the proper course of action during therapy.