Can Magnetic Insoles Provide Pain Relief? Menu Verywell Fit Nutrition Weight Management Nutrition Facts Nutrition Basics Diets Meal Plans Meal Delivery Services View All News Fitness and Nutrition What to Buy How We Test Products Fitness Gear Nutrition Products Tools Recipe Nutrition Calculator Weight Loss Calorie Goal BMI Calculator Body Fat Percentage Calculator Calories Burned by Activity Daily Calories Burned Pace Calculator About Us Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Search Walking Injuries and Prevention Can Magnetic Insoles Provide Pain Relief? By Wendy Bumgardner Wendy Bumgardner Wendy Bumgardner is a freelance writer covering walking and other health and fitness topics and has competed in more than 1,000 walking events. Learn about our editorial process Updated on December 06, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and nutrition and exercise healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Miho J. Tanaka, MD Medically reviewed by Miho J. Tanaka, MD Dr. Tanaka is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the treatment of sports medicine injuries. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print sever180 / Depositphotos.com Table of Contents View All Table of Contents History of Medical Magnets How They Work Clinical Research FTC Action Against Claims What to Do If You Have Foot Pain Magnetic insoles claim promising reflexology and acupressure benefits. The footwear products are easy to find online or in specialty foot comfort stores and range in price from $5 to $75 (or more) per pair. Before you buy, you might want to know if magnetic shoe inserts actually do anything to relieve tired feet and foot pain—or if it's just another example of the placebo effect. A Brief History of Medical Magnets The use of magnets in medicine and wellness dates back the 15th century to physician and alchemist Paracelsus (1493–1543) who supposedly used magnets to draw disease away from the body. By the late 1800s, medical magnets were big business. Figures like Dr. C.J. Thatcher (dubbed by the medical establishment as the "King of the Magnetic Quacks") operated successful mail-order enterprises aimed at people seeking cures. Medical magnets fell out of favor in the early 20th century. However, they made a comeback in the late 1990s when several Japanese firms started promoting ferrite and rare-earth magnets as therapeutic tools for deep muscle relief. Magnetic insoles became popular, especially after being endorsed by golf pros. For several years the products were produced by well-known companies like Florsheim, Dr. Scholls, and Nikken. What Insoles Can Help With Your Foot Problems? How Medical Magnets Are Meant to Work The purported action of medical magnets starts by facing the north and south poles of bipolar magnets directly at the injured body part. Then, the field created by the magnets is thought to relax capillaries and increases blood flow (supposedly by directing the movement of iron molecules in hemoglobin). If someone has inflammation in a specific part of their body, the effect of the magnets is purported to be beneficial at providing localized pain relief. Others have claimed that magnets can alter nerve impulses, reduce acidity in body fluids, and increase the oxygenation of tissues. Clinical Research on Magnetic Shoe Inserts A number of double-blind studies were conducted in the early 2000s comparing an actual magnetic insole and a placebo (an inactive insole). In the majority of the studies, both groups reported improvement in their condition (such as plantar fasciitis or nonspecific foot pain). These findings indicate that the magnets were no more or less effective for treating pain than a disk of plain metal. Most of the available research suggests that magnetic shoe inserts are no more effective than placebo treatments. A 2003 study (which was touted by the Nikken company) reported some positive effects of magnetic field therapy for people with symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Overall, however, research has not supported the use of static magnets for pain relief. FTC Takes Action Against Medical Magnet Claims The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken action against several companies promoting the medical benefits of magnets. The FTC forced Magnetic Therapeutic Technologies, Inc. to stop marketing their magnetic products (including knee supports and sleep pads) as a means of treating cancer, high blood pressure, HIV, diabetic neuropathy, and multiple sclerosis. What to Do If You Have Foot Pain Magnetic insoles have not been proven to be any more effective than regular insoles for relieving foot pain or fatigue. Rather than spending extra money on magnetic products, shop for insoles that will provide your feet with ample support. Look for products that are made with foam or gel cushions. If in-shoe support is not enough, you might need a custom orthotic or other types of treatment. These products must be prescribed by a doctor or podiatrist and be fitted by an orthotic expert. Your medical insurance may cover the cost. Well-fitted shoes can make a huge difference in how your feet feel. If you suffer from chronic foot pain, consider visiting an athletic shoe store in your area that can help identify the best shoe for your problem. The Best Insole Products 11 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Bausell RB. Snake Oil Science: The Truth about Complementary and Alternative Medicine. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Weiner RS. Pain Management: A Practical Guide for Clinicians, Sixth Edition. CRS Press: Boca Raton, FL. Arndt M. Bloomberg News. Florsheim Shoes' Magnetic Appeal. Justia Patents. Dynamic magnetic device and method, and components thereof. Yuksel C, Ankarali S, Yuksel NA. The use of neodymium magnets in healthcare and their effects on health. North Clin Istanb. 2018;5(3):268-273. doi:10.14744/nci.2017.00483 Winemiller MH, Billow RG, Laskowski ER, Harmsen WS. Effect of magnetic vs sham-magnetic insoles on nonspecific foot pain in the workplace: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Mayo Clin Proc. 2005;80(9):1138-45. doi:10.4065/80.9.1138 Weintraub MI, Wolfe GI, Barohn RA, et al. Static magnetic field therapy for symptomatic diabetic neuropathy: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2003;84(5):736-46. doi:10.1016/s0003-9993(03)00106-0 National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Magnets For Pain. Federal Trade Commission. Federal Trade Commission Decisions Complaint in the Matter of Magnetic Therapeutic Technologies, Inc., et al. Winemiller MH, Billow RG, Laskowski ER, Harmsen WS. Effect of magnetic vs sham-magnetic insoles on plantar heel pain: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2003;290(11):1474-8. doi:10.1001/jama.290.11.1474 Riskowski J, Dufour AB, Hannan MT. Arthritis, foot pain and shoe wear: current musculoskeletal research on feet. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2011;23(2):148-55. doi:10.1097/BOR.0b013e3283422cf5 Additional Reading Basford JR. A historical perspective of the popular use of electric and magnetic therapy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2001;82:1261-9. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Magnets. Updated February 2013. By Wendy Bumgardner Wendy Bumgardner is a freelance writer covering walking and other health and fitness topics and has competed in more than 1,000 walking events. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Related Articles What Insoles Can Help With Your Foot Problems? 8 Best Insoles for Plantar Fasciitis of 2022 for Walking in Comfort The 7 Best Walking Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis The Best Insoles for Your Shoes of 2022 Why Properly Fitting Your Bike Is Important The 11 Best Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Spur Relief Products Available Endorphins: The Body's Natural Pain Relievers Is Dr. Scholl's FootMapping Useful? 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