【Takungpao News 2006-1-10】

Magnetic therapy bracelets and knee pads have become increasingly popular health products in recent years, with global annual sales reaching billions of dollars. A recent editorial in the British Medical Journal states that there is currently no scientific evidence to support the pain-relieving effects claimed by manufacturers of magnetic therapy devices, suggesting that users may be wasting their time and money.

In the editorial, American researchers Leonard Finegold and Bruce Flamm noted that many studies attempting to prove the effectiveness of magnetic therapy overlook the primary characteristic of magnets—their attraction or repulsion to metal. The perceived effectiveness of magnetic therapy devices by users may be due to the placebo effect.

According to a Xinhua News Agency report from Beijing on January 10, the article states that, theoretically, even when human tissue is exposed to the magnetic fields generated by MRI machines, these tissues remain unaffected. Therefore, it is unrealistic to claim that the magnetic fields produced by magnetic therapy bracelets have pain-relieving effects. When a magnetic therapy bracelet is brought close to common ferromagnetic surfaces in daily life, users may subconsciously feel a slight pull, which can influence their perception of pain and create an illusion. A previous study published in the British Medical Journal showed that the pain-relieving effects of magnetic therapy bracelets are likely due to the placebo effect rather than actual efficacy. The researchers noted that due to endorsements by famous athletes in advertisements for magnetic therapy devices, many people believe they are truly effective. This may lead to delayed treatment for certain conditions. Advertisements for magnetic therapy devices should inform consumers that their efficacy has not been scientifically proven. They said, "If people are still interested in magnetic therapy, it's best to buy the cheapest option, as that at least reduces the 'pain' in their wallets."

Source: http://www. takungpao. com/ news/ 06/ 01/ 10/ PJ- 509206. htm

Shen Yaozi said, "The sun bakes the earth, dissipating all things."

In the field of magnetic therapy, I have personally reviewed some literature and conducted a few human experiments. The experiments involved the use of powerful magnets with magnetic field strengths tens, hundreds, or even thousands of times stronger than the Earth's magnetic field. These magnets were not randomly placed or attached all over the body but were specifically applied to certain acupuncture points. The size of the magnet, the strength of the magnetic field, and the acupuncture points used varied depending on the issue being treated. For certain "ailments," the effectiveness is notable and can certainly be confirmed as not being a placebo effect. Rather than saying that magnetic needles can numb pain, it would be more accurate to say that they can alleviate the cause of the pain (if the correct acupuncture points are targeted and the root cause is properly addressed). If one were to forcibly "numb" the pain to the point of insensitivity, wouldn't the pain simply recur once the magnet is removed? But in reality, this is not the case. The effect of magnetic needles is similar to traditional acupuncture but is non-invasive, making it worthy of further research.

The statement "placing human tissue in the magnetic field produced by an MRI machine will not affect the tissue" is too arbitrary. The magnetic field produced by an MRI machine is just one specific form of a magnetic field; how can one conclude that any magnetic field has no effect on the human body based on this? Whether something is useful or not depends on how it is used. Is inserting a needle into the body useful? The World Health Organization now acknowledges its usefulness, but if done haphazardly, it is not only ineffective but can also have adverse effects. Magnetic fields come in various forms and strengths, and their effects on the human body—whether harmful, harmless, or beneficial—depend on the form and strength of the magnetic field, as well as the part of the body it acts on, the duration of exposure, and the type of disease.

Shen Yaozi said, "The sun bakes the earth, dissipating all things."