People in the United States spend roughly $500 million every year on wearable magnets for treating aches and pains. The devices are advertised as increasing blood flow and altering nerve signals.
A new study finds that, at least for one condition, shoe inserts containing magnets don’t work any better than similar inserts without magnets. The problem examined was bottom-of-the-foot pain–a symptom of plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the tough connective tissue that links the ball of the foot with the heel.
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