Magnetic Bedding and Therapy
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is not a medical site. You should always discuss medical matters with your doctor.
Many people are convinced that magnets have therapeutic value and they have been mentioned in folklore for many years. They are sometimes cited as being effective in treating all sorts of conditions, most usually those involving chronic pain.
Does Magnetic Therapy Work?
The scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of magnetic therapy is limited and inconclusive (1). Personally I'm not qualified to judge the claimed health benefits. I do know that many people are convinced they work and continue to buy them embedded in everything from jewelry to bedding.
The most common form of magnetic bedding is the mattress pad (topper). At the high end of the market these sometimes have a magnetic layer built into the middle of the pad. An alternative is an ordinary mattress pad that simply has the appropriate magnets attached underneath.
You can buy a wide range of magnetic toppers, incluing those using memory foam. As with any product quality varies, there are also technical variations such as the strength of the magnets used (measured in Gauss).
Warnings
Even if magnetic therapy works it wouldn't be for everyone - for some people it could even be dangerous. In particular you should avoid magnets if you have an implanted medical device such as a heart pacemaker or insulin pump. Some people have also reported that magnets can cause dizziness or nausea. As always, pregnant women should be especially wary of any novel treatment. Always check with your doctor first.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the efficacy of magnetic therapy appears at best unproven. Many people believe it works for them, however there are potential risks. If you think it might work for you and your doctor agrees then there are many stores selling magnetic products both online and off.
References:
(1) Magnet Therapy