RT Journal
A1 Fontanarosa PB, Burkhart CG, Burkhart CN
T1 ARe magnets effective for pain control?
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2000
FD August 2
VO 284
IS 5
SP 564
OP 566
DO 10.1001/jama.284.5.561
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.284.5.561
AB 
To the Editor: Dr Collacott and colleagues1 found that magnets were ineffective in treating
low back pain. Inasmuch as electromagnetic fields are known to alter biomolecular
DNA synthesis, cell proliferation, membrane calcium fluxes, and cell surface
properties in vitro,2 they may nonetheless
be beneficial in treating patients with various disease states. The principal
site of biophysical interaction leading to cell functional alterations with
magnets is most likely the lipid membrane surface, where electromagnetic radiation
may affect the ability of ion pump enzymes to move calcium, sodium, and potassium
ions across the cell membranes.3