Fibromyalgia: How A Magnetic Mattress Can Help Put A Stop To The Sleepless Nights Caused By The Chronic Pain Of Fibromyalgia

While nutrition is key to good health, HSI Panellists recognise that some health problems can require a little more practical help too. So when HSI Panel Member, Nigel Summerley, told us about a revolutionary new magnetic mattress liner, we knew we had to bring you news about its incredible benefits straight away.

The HoMedics Magnetic Mattress Liner, which contains small magnets sewn into its fabric, has transformed the lives of hundreds of people who suffer from fibromyalgia - a condition characterised by chronic and widespread musculoskeletal pain and stiffness, disturbed sleep and fatigue.

Fibromyalgia affects two people in every hundred in the UK, yet its cause is unknown. While conventional drugs, like benzodiazepines and anti-inflammatories, can provide a certain amount of symptomatic relief, they can have unpleasant side-effects.

However, one of the most effective alternative treatments for fibromyalgia is proving to be magnet therapy, especially in helping sufferers to get a pain-free night's sleep. Magnets have already produced successful results in controlling pain in numerous other conditions, such as gout, and also in helping to heal obstinate bone fractures and soft tissue injuries.

70% improvement in musculoskeletal pain
While most of the beneficial effects from magnet therapy are based on anecdotal reports to date, practitioners who use magnets regularly for pain relief are convinced that magnetic fields have a therapeutic effect on the human body.

It is thought that magnetic fields help to improve blood circulation - bringing nutrients, oxygen and anti-inflammatory agents to inflamed areas - although the exact mechanism by which they do this is still not fully understood.

A large, double-blind study at the San-Ikukai Hospital in Japan, involving a group of 375 patients suffering from a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including fibromyalgia, showed that magnetic mattresses helped control pain in 70 per cent of people.1

Following these encouraging results, scientists at HoMedics in the UK developed the magnetic mattress liner and put it to the test. A group of ten women were recruited from the UK Fibromyalgia Association (the condition is known to typically affect more women than men) to take part in a six-week trial of the magnetic mattress liner.

Studies show promising results in general well-being and sleep patterns
The participants used no new medication or therapy during this period. They were assessed each week in relation to well-being, pain, sleep, fatigue and tiredness on waking. They were also monitored for their ability to complete daily tasks, including shopping, housework, going for a walk and driving.

At the end of the six weeks, 50 per cent of the particpants reported an improvement in overall well-being of 50 per cent or more; and 40 per cent reported a significant improvement in pain of 30 per cent or more.

In terms of quality of sleep, 60 per cent said there was an improvement of 30 per cent or more (with some reporting a staggering 70-80 per cent improvement). There were similar levels of improvement in fatigue and tiredness on waking.

For maximum results use the magnetic liner for six weeks on, two weeks off
Jan Short, of the Portsmouth and District Fibromyalgia Self-Help Group was one of the people who took part in the UK trial. She has continued to use the magnetic mattress liner because of the difference it has made to her ability to sleep.

'Lack of sleep because of pain and discomfort is a major problem for fibromyalgia sufferers,' says Jan. But now she is sleeping 'a little longer and a bit more deeply', thanks to the magnetic mattress liner.

'It does not alter the pain,' says Jan, 58, who has suffered with fibromyalgia almost all of her life, 'but it does make my sleep that bit longer and heavier - and with fibromyalgia any little thing helps.'

And Jan has some advice born out of experience on how to use the magnetic mattress liner. Many fibromyalgia sufferers are so sensitive they can actually feel the small magnets enclosed in it. 'It's a bit like 'The Princess and the Pea',' she says. The solution is to put a blanket, rather than just a sheet, over the liner.

In addition Jan has found that the way to get the maximum effect from the magnetic liner is to use it six weeks on and two weeks off.

'Quality of sleep, tiredness, and tiredness on waking were significantly improved'
Dr Mark Atkinson, vice-president of the Complementary Medical Association, supervised the trial of the HoMedics magnetic mattress liner and was very impressed with the findings.

'Although most participants felt that their pain intensity had not significantly improved, most felt that their quality of sleep, tiredness, and tiredness on waking were significantly improved.'

Dr Atkinson added: 'In view of the extremely positive findings with respect to improved quality of sleep and reduced daytime fatigue, I would suggest a further pilot trial on the use of magnetic mattresses with patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, which is believed to affect up to 600,000 people in the UK alone.' HSI will keep you updated on any further trial results as soon as they become available.

1.Shimodair K, The therapeutic effect of the magnetized mattress pad. Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tokyo 1990