Sep 27 2005
Do magnetic shoe insoles relieve foot pain? The magnets have no pain relief effects, although the insole may help - that is the conclusion of a double-blind study published in the September, 2005 iss ue of "Mayo Clinic Proceedings."
Magnets Did Not Relieve Foot Pain - But Insoles Did
The 83 study participants had all reported nonspecific foot pain for at least 30 days. Half were given Spenco Active Comfort Insoles with static magnets, as sold in many stores. The other half received identical Spenco Active Comfort Insoles, but without magnets. The participants then wore the insoles for 8 weeks and reported on their level of foot pain. Most had improvement - the same improvement for those with the magnetic insoles as for those with insoles that had no magnets. The magnetic insoles had no effects greater than those of just wearing good Spenco insoles.Placebo Power
The study participants who most believed that magnets would help had the most pain relief - even with the insoles that had no magnets. The power of belief and wishing yourself well was in full force for this study. "A moderate placebo effect was noted in participants who believed the strongest in the potential of magnets to help their pain," says Dr. Mark Winemiller, lead author of the study, in a press release. The pain relief was real - although the cushioning insoles alone was thought to be the biggest factor.Magnets Sell
Sales of "medical magnets" are up, approximately $5 billion per year worldwide and $500 million per year in the USA, despite lack of approval by the Food and Drug Administration and little or no clinical evidence of effectiveness. The good news is that although the money is probably being wasted on ineffective products, the magnets are considered safe and have few adverse effects. These static magnets sold over-the-counter are different from pulsed magnets used in some clinical studies - but even those show mixed results for reducing pain or trauma.How to Treat Foot Pain
The Spenco Active Comfort insoles provided pain relief whether they had magnets or not. Spenco insoles have been recommended by hikers, walkers, and those who work on their feet. Any quality cushioned insole may provide relief for nonspecific foot pain. If foot pain persists, a visit to a podiatrist or orthopedic physician may lead to full diagnosis. Often a custom orthotic can be prescribed to provide foot pain relief.Insoles and Orthotics
