Adverse Reactions
Adverse reactions to magnetic therapy are common enough to be taken seriously. Since magnetic therapies can alter circulation, stimulate repair, stimulate nerve cells, cause relaxation, affect blood pressure and heart rate, alter the absorption of medications and nutrients, affect acupuncture energy movement, stimulate magnetophosphenes, among many other actions, overreactions by the body, perceived or measurable, do happen. In my experience, this occurs about two to 5% of the time magnetic fields are used. These types of adverse reactions are commonly seen in other therapies, including the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction with antibiotics and aggravations in homeopathy, acupuncture, deep tissue massage. etc.
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Sudden increases in circulation, especially in partially ischemic or frankly ischemic tissues may lead to uncomfortable increases in circulation for a short time after the M. F. has been applied. The increase in circulation, while usually a desirable effect, can lead to a surge in oxidative stress. It is desirable to have adequate antioxidant support in the body before beginning treatment. Sudden improvements in circulation may also lead to aggravations of existing extensive or severe inflammatory processes, typically in the skin. Aggravation of hives is likewise possible and should be considered before starting treatment.
When nerve cells are suddenly stimulated, pain may be temporarily aggravated due to the increased signal traffic in the nerve and/or improved circulation to the nerve/s. I have seen this many times in individuals who have had prior fractures or scars. Magnetic fields applied distal to the fracture site or scar may temporarily cause pain at the fracture site. If there are multiple blockages along the body, magnetic treatment may cause the phenomenon of “chasing the pain”. Normally these problems are not a concern but should be recognized as a normal consequence of magnetic therapy.
Blood pressure and heart rate decreases are common with magnetic therapies especially in individuals who are elderly, on medication with blood pressure lowering actions, frail, have labile sensitive blood pressures, have been on extensive bed rest, in shock or septic or who have low blood pressure and non-brisk, compensatory vascular reflexes. Because people in these situations can have fainting on arising from a seated or laying position, they should be warned about this possibility and the need to allow the blood pressure and/or heart rate to stabilize when changing positions.
Metabolism of medications and nutrients may be affected by the use of M. F.’s. I have seen a few circumstances of blood sugars decreasing to varying degrees after initiating magnetic therapies. In one individual this happened several times when magnetics were stopped and started. There is a recently reported phenomenon of chemotherapy being more effective in killing cancer cells with the use of magnetic fields exposures, both static and PEMF. PEMFs have been reported to change clotting reactions, by decreasing platelet adhesiveness and increasing fibrinolysis. People on aspirin, other platelet acting agents or anticoagulants may need to be cautious with simultaneous use of M. F.’s. It may be prudent to closely observe people on medications with significant side effect profiles for possible temporary reactions.
General reactions occasionally happen as well, particularly in those who have or are suspected of having magnetic field sensitivity. Reactions I have seen have included, increased fatigue, aggravations of sleep, increased pain, vague asthenic symptoms, metallic tastes, dizziness, “brain fog”, thirst, increased urination, warmth, cold sensations, prickly sensations in the skin, colors in the visual fields, heaviness of the extremities and palpitations. Most of these people are thought to have systemic hemodynamic or autonomic instability and/or neurotoxicity, due to chronic infections, chemical sensitivity or environmental toxicities. Many have chronic regional pain syndromes, fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome.
In addition, the support apparatus required to apply magnetic therapies may sometimes create its own problems. An example is using surgical tape to hold magnets in place. The surgical tape may, as is well-known, cause an adhesive burn, chemical reaction or allergic response. For these applications are usually recommend either at the paper adhesive tape are clear surgical tape. Occasionally the binding agent in fabric-backed flexible magnets, may cause an allergic reaction. Occasionally magnets that are applied too tightly to the skin may create breaks in the skin and their sharp edges if held in place too long [a pressure effect]. I have even seen several cases of bruising under the magnet and/or petechiae. If a hard magnets or thick flexible magnetic material is left too long on the bare skin, perspiration may accumulate and in the worst case cause maceration. This is why I norma lly recommend that hard magnets and/or flexible magnetic materials be applied over one layer of breathable and/or absorbable cloth fabric. In this circumstance, even duct tape can be used to adhere the magnet to the fabric.
Dealing with adverse reactions
The best way to deal with the potential adverse reactions is anticipatory. Once the potential circumstances for these are identified with careful history taking or understanding of the individual, explanations may be given for the possibility of these reactions. Most commonly they can be managed by simply continuing the therapy, since they are usually temporary. Once the body adapts to the stimulation from the magnetic fields, the reactions will decrease and stop. The more deep-seated the physiologic disturbance, the more care needs to be taken with how the magnetic fields are applied initially, in intensity, frequencies and duration of use, and then adjusted for optimal use. For more robust individuals, physiologically and psychologically, the magnetic fields can continue to be used along with appropriate symptomatic support until the body adjusts to the treatment. Individuals who have experienced more severe chronic pain and/or physiologic disruptions, small changes in physiologic reactions can be intolerable. In these individuals, magnetic therapies should be initiated at the lowest level of strength possible for the shortest periods of time. Some practitioners have suggested using water that has been treated on the magnetic systems, for the daily water consumption. In some cases this is necessary initially before magnetic therapy is even started. With many individuals appropriate nutritional and supplement support is necessary for several weeks prior to initiating magnetic therapies. Once the physiology is better stabilized, magnetic therapy reactions are less likely. Appropriate mineral, vitamin, amino acid and antioxidant supplementation may be required. Since magnetic fields have been found in some individuals to decrease melatonin levels, melatonin supplementation may be necessary.
Occasionally adverse reactions have been after magnetic therapy has been in place for some time. In this case, the settings prior to the beginning of side effects should be applied for one to several weeks to allow for further accommodation of the body. My usual approaches to decrease the field in intensity first and if that does not improve the reactions, then I would adjust the amount of time of exposure. Compliance with supplementation support should also be confirmed.
When more extreme reactions are encountered, it may be necessary to consider other EMF influences affecting the individual. The home and occupational exposures may need to be decreased or eliminated. In some cases individuals are using are exposed to appliances (hair dryers, heating pads or blankets, electric stoves, televisions) or computer monitors that maybe sensitizing them over and above any therapeutic EMF exposure.
Individuals with these types of sensitivities, reactions or predispositions would benefit from expert consultation.
