This means more oxygen and nutrients are flowing into an area of pain which helps in the healing process. The magnets are also known to help prevent muscle stiffness and muscle spasms. And finally, the magnetic field can go to the cellular level and helps prevent pain from ending up to the brain. Magnetic therapy is therefore a little bit like pain killers but without the side effects. For reasons of effectiveness and economy as well as simplicity, magnet therapy might be well on its way of becoming an important part of alternative therapy in the future. Clinical trials There were some clinical trials in the U.S. reporting on some successes on their results. In 1997, the Baylor College of Medicine published a study where 76% of treated patients using permanent magnets had reported a decrease in arthritic joint and muscle pains compared to the 19% placebo patients. Unipolar magnets Unipolar magnets have been known to have greater depth of magnetic penetration. Because of this, users feel they are more effective in treating deeper tissues. For low back pains, the unipolar type is said to be more appropriate because low back pains come from the deep tissues at the back. If you are not experiencing any improvement, you could easily move it to another area. There are many health benefits that magnet therapy brings: 1. Magnetic therapy is used for dealing and easing chronic pains like back pains, arthritis or tendonitis. 2. Athletes and non-athletes also used medicinal magnets for muscle pains. Thicker magnets with a large diameter produce a stronger, deeper penetrating magnetic field than a smaller and thinner magnet with the same gauss rating. The overall strength (and effectiveness) of a magnet is determined by its gauss rating, its thickness, diameter and spacing. Past and present therapy Various old cultures have been known to have used magnets for pain relief and other symptoms. Serious infections For serious infections, strong pain or cancerous tumors, even powerful magnets can remain in the body as long as they seem to be beneficial. If the magnet is used for long, and there is a feeling of being drained or plain discomfort, remove the magnet right away. (You can possibly apply the opposite pole for sometime.