# Does magneto-therapy work? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 8, 2010, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-magneto-therapy-work/553041 "2010-09-08T12:38:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-magneto-therapy-work/553041/22 "2010-09-08T16:05:45Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > people who use magneto-therapy get better gas mileage. magnets, is there anything they can’t do. It’s like…a miracle. How do they work? ---
**Author:** ![Dioptre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/278dde/32.png) [@Dioptre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dioptre)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-magneto-therapy-work/553041/23 "2010-09-08T16:23:27Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > My dad swore by his copper bracelet for arthritis also … but the only thing it would do for me is probably turn my wrist green =\ > > I have always laughed at people who are convinced that magets/ley lines/magnetosphere does anything Actually, the people who think that the magnetosphere does something tend to be fairly credible. Happy to believe “magets” and ley lines don’t do much. > **[Magnetosphere](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetosphere)** > > In astronomy and planetary science, a magnetosphere is a region of space surrounding an astronomical object, such as a planet or other object, in which charged particles are affected by that object's magnetic field. It is created by a celestial body with an active interior dynamo. > In the space environment close to a planetary body with a dipole magnetic field such as Earth, the field lines resemble a simple magnetic dipole. Farther out, field lines can be significantly distorted by the flow of ... ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-magneto-therapy-work/553041/24 "2010-09-08T17:05:45Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > It cures you of wealth. > > Don’t forget, some people claim that living near power lines subject you to magnetic fields that make you sick. > > Can’t have it both ways. Not to defend magnetic therapy, but you can have it both ways. Almost every prescription and OTC drug can kill you if used incorrectly. This doesn’t prove that drugs don’t work, just that you have to use them correctly. I’m sure there are plenty of magnet sellers who would use power lines as proof that magnets work. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-magneto-therapy-work/553041/25 "2010-09-08T17:09:44Z")
> [@](#): > > While we’re on about woo, what’s with those stupid hologram bracelets too? My coworker’s wearing one - WTF? I’m not familiar with those, but my guess would be that people wear them because they look pretty. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-magneto-therapy-work/553041/26 "2010-09-08T17:14:33Z")
I used one of those magnetic rings to cure finger pain. In order to see how well it was working, I popped my hand into an MRI I happened have lying around. I no longer have finger pain. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-magneto-therapy-work/553041/27 "2010-09-08T18:13:27Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > While we’re on about woo, what’s with those stupid hologram bracelets too? My coworker’s wearing one - WTF? > > I’m not familiar with those, but my guess would be that people wear them because they look pretty. They’re unreasonably expensive pieces of plastic touted as giving you improved energy and balance. People wear them because they are marketed with simple parlor tricks and because “people” suck at critical thinking. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_Astronaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Bad\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-magneto-therapy-work/553041/28 "2010-09-08T20:10:47Z")
> [@pedescribe](#): > > > [@johnpost](#): > > > > people who use magneto-therapy get better gas mileage. magnets, is there anything they can’t do. > > It’s like…a miracle. How do they work? I would tell you, but I could be considered a scientist, so that obviously disqualifies me from answering the question. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-magneto-therapy-work/553041/29 "2010-09-08T23:12:50Z")
Well, there was a whole huge table covered with magnetic jewelry on a table in a building at the state fair last week. Doing booming business. Right between the New! Improved! Miracle Mop! and the waterless cookwear. Stupid people, they could have got an all day pass for the rides and a pretty good meal for the price of a bracelet. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/898d66/32.png) [@Johnny\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Q)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-magneto-therapy-work/553041/30 "2010-09-08T23:15:15Z")
It all depends on how long it takes for Magneto to get angry and kill his therapist. Or if Magneto is the therapist, how long he can put up with your Non-mutant whining and/or how soon you accept him as Homo Superior. ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-magneto-therapy-work/553041/31 "2010-09-08T23:35:36Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > I used one of those magnetic rings to cure finger pain. In order to see how well it was working, I popped my hand into an MRI I happened have lying around. I no longer have finger pain. 😃 Nicely done. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-magneto-therapy-work/553041/32 "2010-09-09T13:08:25Z")
> [@Johnny\_Q](#): > > It all depends on how long it takes for Magneto to get angry and kill his therapist. > > Or if Magneto is the therapist, how long he can put up with your Non-mutant whining and/or how soon you accept him as Homo Superior. See post #20. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-magneto-therapy-work/553041/33 "2010-09-09T14:06:02Z")
If you’re looking for a miracle cure, try this method: strap a big crystal to your forehead. Somebody will see it and come offer to sell you a miracle cure. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-magneto-therapy-work/553041/35 "2011-11-15T14:23:25Z")
Reported spam. ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-magneto-therapy-work/553041/36 "2011-11-15T15:24:28Z")
So if the [FDA approves magnetic](http://www.cracked.com/article_19476_5-sci-fi-medical-procedures-well-have-in-our-lifetime.html) treatment to counter depression because studies showed that it worked, it’s still quackery, right? (Nr. 3) > [@](#): > > And experiments show it apparently works. Once they figured out a way to perform tests in a reliable way (which was, for some reason, bombarding everyone’s brain with electric shocks to mask the magnet), the magnet proved its effectiveness and is currently getting tweaked for widespread use. And it’ll be available pretty damn soon, considering the fact that magnetic therapy devices have already been approved by the FDA. > > Read more: 5 Sci-Fi Medical Procedures We’ll Have in Our Lifetime | [Cracked.com](http://Cracked.com) [5 Sci-Fi Medical Procedures We'll Have in Our Lifetime | Cracked.com](http://www.cracked.com/article_19476_5-sci-fi-medical-procedures-well-have-in-our-lifetime.html#ixzz1dmuxqEa4) ---
**Author:** ![Asympotically\_fat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47c2d/32.png) [@Asympotically\_fat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asympotically_fat)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-magneto-therapy-work/553041/37 "2011-11-15T15:28:42Z")
Isn’t there a real danger of becoming stuck to refrigerator doors? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-magneto-therapy-work/553041/38 "2011-11-15T15:30:56Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > So if the [FDA approves magnetic](http://www.cracked.com/article_19476_5-sci-fi-medical-procedures-well-have-in-our-lifetime.html) treatment to counter depression because studies showed that it worked, it’s still quackery, right? (Nr. 3) From the article you linked to: > [@](#): > > The secret is magnets, and we’re not talking about the pseudoscience bullshit magnetic bracelets that are intended to cure your arthritis. This is no placebo, this is transcranial magnetic stimulation, where a patient’s head is exposed to a powerful electromagnet that stimulates the mood-controlling areas of the brain. The principle isn’t that much different from electroshock therapy, only without the electrodes and without so many patients running away screaming at the mention of it. So, in other words, it has nothing to do with what is being discussed here. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-magneto-therapy-work/553041/39 "2011-11-15T20:13:45Z")
> [@Fiona\_T](#): > > Hi everyone.My husband fond of cycling and 5 months ago he broke his collarbone,it was so terrible.After that he can’t move his hand without pain and our doctor advise us to try magneto-therapy.So after 2 months reduced.We were really happy.Moreover I advise my friends to try it.We found information about it [Here](http://www.magneto-therapy.eu) Amazing!! Just imagine how long it would have taken your pain to fade if you hadn’t used magnets! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-magneto-therapy-work/553041.md?page=1)