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Arthritis

Pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. Arthritis is a family of more than 100 conditions — from osteoarthritis to rheumatoid arthritis and gout — that affects about 1 in 5 U.S. adults. There is no cure, but movement, the right diagnosis and good treatment help most people stay active.

What is arthritis?

Most types of arthritis cause joint pain and inflammation (swelling), and over time a swollen joint can become badly damaged (MedlinePlus). Arthritis isn’t one disease but a general term for more than 100 conditions that affect the joints, the tissues around them and other connective tissues (CDC). Some types also cause problems in other organs, such as the eyes or skin (MedlinePlus), or the heart, lungs or kidneys (MedlinePlus, MedlinePlus).

How common is it?

Arthritis affects about 1 in 5 U.S. adults — about 54 million people — and is a leading cause of work disability. People with other long-term conditions such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease often have arthritis too (CDC). It can happen at any age, but the risk rises as you get older; about 1 in 3 veterans has arthritis (CDC).

The main types

  • Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type, affecting about 33 million U.S. adults. It most often affects the hands, hips, back and knees, and is common after 45 — but it is not a normal part of aging (CDC). A separate MBHA guide to osteoarthritis is on the way.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease: the immune system attacks the joints by mistake. RA affects the lining of the joints and damages the tissue that covers the ends of the bones (MedlinePlus). It is the most common autoimmune type of arthritis, often affects the small joints of the hands and feet on both sides of the body, and can also affect the eyes, heart and lungs (American College of Rheumatology). Women are two to three times more likely to have it (CDC).
  • Gout happens when uric acid (urate) builds up and forms needle-like crystals in a joint (MedlinePlus). Flares often start suddenly at night, commonly in the big toe, with intense pain, swelling, redness and warmth (MedlinePlus, CDC). Men are more likely to get gout than women (CDC).
  • Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune condition that often, but not always, occurs in people who also have the skin condition psoriasis. Signs can include swelling of whole fingers or toes, pitting of the nails, inflamed tendons (enthesitis), back pain and sometimes eye inflammation (uveitis) (ACR). Symptoms can be worse first thing in the morning and may improve with exercise (NHS).
  • Lupus is a long-lasting autoimmune disease that can affect many parts of the body. It can cause arthritis — painful, swollen joints and morning stiffness — along with fever, tiredness and a rash, most often on the face (the “butterfly rash”). Anyone can get lupus, but women get it much more often than men (MedlinePlus).
  • Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis of the spine that can cause stiffness and make it hard to move and bend (MedlinePlus) — see our ankylosing spondylitis guide.

Other types include infectious arthritis, reactive arthritis after an infection elsewhere in the body, and arthritis in children (MedlinePlus). See our guide to juvenile arthritis (JIA).

Inflammatory arthritis vs. “wear-and-tear” arthritis

Osteoarthritis is often called “wear and tear” arthritis, but it is a disease of the entire joint, involving the cartilage, joint lining, ligaments and bone (ACR). Still, the two groups tend to behave differently:

Why early diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis matters

With inflammatory arthritis, time counts. There is no cure for RA, but early treatment can help keep symptoms from getting worse and damaging your joints (MedlinePlus), and early diagnosis and the right treatments can prevent joint damage or disability (ACR). The CDC says it’s important to get diagnosed with RA as soon as possible so you can start treatment (CDC). Psoriatic arthritis can lead to joint damage if it isn’t treated appropriately (ACR), and lupus is better managed if it’s found and treated early (NHS). Even for gout, early diagnosis helps you start treatment quickly (CDC).

Symptoms

Symptoms vary by type but usually include joint pain and stiffness (CDC), along with redness, warmth and swelling around a joint and not being able to move the joint as well as usual (MedlinePlus). Symptoms can sometimes suddenly get worse in a “flare-up” that can last several days (NHS).

How it’s diagnosed

Treatment depends on which type of arthritis you have (MedlinePlus), so getting the right diagnosis matters. Providers use your health and family history, a physical exam, X-rays and lab tests as needed (CDC):

Rheumatologists are doctors trained as experts in diagnosing and treating arthritis (CDC).

A hot, swollen joint with fever needs urgent care. A joint that suddenly becomes very painful, swollen, warm and red — especially with fever or chills — may be infected (septic arthritis) (MedlinePlus, NHS).

  • Get urgent medical help right away for severe joint pain that started suddenly, usually in one joint; swelling around a joint; a joint you can’t move or put weight on; or a painful joint with a high temperature or feeling hot, cold or shivery (NHS).
  • Why it matters: septic arthritis is a serious joint infection that should be treated as soon as possible. People usually recover fully with treatment, but left untreated it can be more serious. Treatment is usually in hospital, with antibiotics into a vein and sometimes draining fluid from the joint (NHS).
  • Having rheumatoid arthritis, a weakened immune system, diabetes, recent joint surgery or an artificial joint raises the risk (NHS).

A gout flare can look similar. Sudden pain and swelling in a joint with a very high temperature could mean an infection inside the joint (NHS), and only a doctor can tell them apart — often by testing fluid from the joint (MedlinePlus, ACR). Don’t wait for a routine appointment, and don’t try to treat it at home or with complementary approaches.

When to see a doctor: if you have unexplained pain, swelling or stiffness in your joints that doesn’t go away in a few days; get an urgent appointment if your pain doesn’t get better with painkillers, the skin around a joint is red or hot, or you have sore joints with a fever (NHS). Also see a provider if joint pain, stiffness and swelling keep coming back (NHS). If you might have inflammatory arthritis, ask about a rheumatologist (CDC).

Side by side

Six approaches compared

For every condition we look at the same six approaches: what each involves, what it typically costs, and what a patient can realistically expect.

ApproachWhat it involves Estimated costWhat to expect
Conventional medicine (AMA) Physical activity, weight loss for knee and hip OA, physical and occupational therapy, NSAIDs (including skin gels for knee OA), DMARDs and biologics for RA, urate-lowering medicines for gout, joint injections and, if needed, joint replacement. National cash listings put a physical therapy treatment visit at about $42–$179 per session, and an initial evaluation at about $95–$308 (The Pricer, August 2026). On Medicare you pay 20% of the approved amount after the Part B deductible (Medicare.gov). Self-pay outpatient knee replacement packages about $17,500–$35,750. CDC-recognized self-management workshops about $25–$35. No cure, but treatment can ease symptoms and help most people stay active. With RA and other inflammatory types, early treatment helps prevent lasting joint damage.
Chiropractic Joint mobilization or manipulation, mainly for osteoarthritis of the hip, knee or spine, plus exercise advice. Not a treatment for inflammatory arthritis. About $55–$100 a follow-up visit without insurance; first visits about $90–$200. Fair short-term evidence for hip and knee OA in a chiropractic review, but the 2019 OA guideline found little benefit over exercise alone. Neck manipulation can be dangerous with RA.
Acupuncture A course of needle treatments for osteoarthritis pain, alongside standard care. About $125–$230 for a first visit and $90–$185 for follow-ups; community clinics about $50–$90. Modest pain relief in knee OA trials; much of the effect is also seen with sham needling. A conditional (weak) guideline recommendation for OA; no clear benefit shown for RA.
Herbal medicine Turmeric, glucosamine and chondroitin, fish oil and capsaicin cream are the most commonly tried. Cost estimate being researched. Mostly weak or negative evidence; the 2019 OA guideline recommends against glucosamine. Several products interact with medicines. Never a substitute for RA or gout medicines.
Massage therapy Gentle massage for comfort, mainly for knee or hand osteoarthritis, with your doctor’s OK. At one national chain, about $125–$160 for 60 minutes for non-members, or $65–$90 for members (memberships about $70–$90 a month). Short-term relief of knee pain in some trials, but benefits faded over a year and the 2019 OA guideline leans against it. Very little research for hands.
MBHA Wellness Coach A walking or activity plan, weight, sleep, joint protection, CDC-recognized self-management programs, mood and quitting smoking. Cost estimate being researched. CDC-recognized workshops about $25–$35; the Walk With Ease guidebook is free for U.S. residents. Supports — never replaces — medical care. Activity, weight and self-management are among the best-proven steps for arthritis.

Approach 1 of 6

Conventional medicine (AMA)

There is no cure for arthritis, but it can be treated and managed, and treatment depends on the type (CDC). Your provider will work with you to improve your symptoms and quality of life (MedlinePlus). For osteoarthritis, U.S. care follows the 2019 guideline from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the Arthritis Foundation, which stresses shared decision-making (ACR/Arthritis Foundation, 2019).

1. Physical activity — a core treatment

2. Weight loss for knee and hip osteoarthritis

Weight loss is strongly recommended for people with knee or hip OA who have overweight or obesity. Losing 5% or more of body weight can help, benefits keep growing with more loss, and it works better combined with exercise (ACR/Arthritis Foundation, 2019). For a 250-pound person, 5% is about 12 pounds (CDC).

3. Physical and occupational therapy, and aids

Physical therapy strengthens the muscles around affected joints (CDC), and occupational therapy helps with everyday tasks such as washing, dressing and cooking (NHS); splints, braces and assistive devices can also help (MedlinePlus). For knee or hip OA that affects walking, the guideline strongly recommends a cane, and knee braces or a thumb-base splint for the right kind of OA (ACR/Arthritis Foundation, 2019).

4. Pain relievers

5. Medicines for inflammatory arthritis

  • Rheumatoid arthritis: disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are the main treatment. They can slow RA, control swelling and prevent joint deformity. If they aren’t enough, biologics (a type of DMARD that blocks specific parts of the immune system) may be added (CDC), and JAK inhibitors are another option when DMARDs or biologics haven’t worked or can’t be used (NHS). Steroids are usually used only for a short time — for example, during a flare-up or while waiting for DMARDs to work — because long-term use can have serious side effects (NHS). Many people change medicine at least once, and regular rheumatology follow-up is key (ACR).
  • Psoriatic arthritis is treated with NSAIDs, steroid injections into a joint, DMARDs and, if DMARDs don’t help, biological treatments (NHS, ACR).
  • Gout: flares are eased with anti-inflammatory medicines, colchicine or steroids. For frequent flares or tophi (crystal lumps), long-term uric acid-lowering medicines — ones that block uric acid production, help the kidneys remove it or, by infusion, break it down — help prevent flares (MedlinePlus, ACR). They need to be taken regularly, even when you have no symptoms (NHS).

We don’t list doses; your doctor will tailor any medicine to you.

6. Joint injections

Steroid injections into the joint are strongly recommended for knee and hip OA and give short-term relief (ACR/Arthritis Foundation, 2019). Steroid shots may also be used for a gout flare (MedlinePlus, ACR).

7. Joint replacement

Surgery is usually considered only when other treatments haven’t worked (CDC, NHS) — for example, joint replacement when symptoms are severe and other treatments haven’t helped (NHS).

What it costs

  • Physical therapy: MBHA cost estimate being researched. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary outpatient PT; you pay 20% of the approved amount after the deductible (Medicare.gov).
  • Knee replacement: current self-pay outpatient total knee replacement packages run about $17,500–$35,750; with insurance, what you pay depends on your plan’s deductible, coinsurance and out-of-pocket limit (The Pricer). Ask your hospital for a written estimate.
  • CDC-recognized programs: self-management workshops cost about $25–$35, and the Walk With Ease guidebook is free for U.S. residents (CDC). The Arthritis Foundation helpline (1-800-283-7800) can help you find programs (CDC).
  • Prescription arthritis medicines: MBHA cost estimate being researched.

What to expect

There’s no cure, but treatments can help you manage your symptoms (NHS). For RA, early treatment can help you manage symptoms, reduce joint damage and lead a productive life (MedlinePlus), and periods when symptoms get better or go away are called remission (CDC). Finding the right medicine can take a few tries — some people try two or three DMARDs (NHS).

Find a medical doctor in our directory

Approach 2 of 6

Chiropractic

Chiropractic care doesn’t treat the inflammation behind rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis or lupus. Its possible role is in osteoarthritis — and the evidence depends on the joint.

What the research says

  • Hip and knee osteoarthritis: a 2012 review by chiropractic researchers rated the evidence for manipulative therapy as fair for short-term relief and limited for the long term, and called for larger, better trials (review, JMPT, 2012).
  • The 2019 OA guideline looked at manual therapy (including mobilization and manipulation) added to exercise, and found little extra benefit over exercise alone for knee and hip OA, so it conditionally recommends against it (ACR/Arthritis Foundation, 2019).
  • Back and neck pain in general: spinal manipulation may bring small improvements in low-back pain and can help acute neck pain (NCCIH). These studies weren’t specifically about arthritis.
  • Inflammatory arthritis: we found no good evidence that chiropractic treats RA, psoriatic arthritis, gout or lupus. For ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatology guidelines strongly advise against spinal manipulation — see our ankylosing spondylitis guide.

Safety: rheumatoid arthritis and the neck

RA can loosen the joint between the top two bones of the neck (atlanto-axial subluxation). Manual treatments aimed at the upper neck in someone with this problem can have serious consequences, including paralysis and death, so clinicians need to screen for it before any hands-on treatment (case report, Manual Therapy, 2013). Serious problems after spinal manipulation are rare, but the risk may be greater in people with underlying health problems (NCCIH).

As a precaution, MBHA suggests: get your doctor’s OK first; tell the chiropractor what type of arthritis you have and whether you have osteoporosis; if you have RA or another inflammatory arthritis, avoid neck manipulation; and don’t let chiropractic care delay a rheumatology visit if you have signs of inflammatory arthritis.

What it costs

  • Without insurance: about $55–$100 for a follow-up visit and about $90–$200 for a first appointment (The Pricer).
  • With insurance: deductibles, copays, coinsurance and visit limits can still leave you with out-of-pocket costs, and a course of several weeks of visits adds up (The Pricer).

Find a chiropractor in our directory

Approach 3 of 6

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the most studied complementary approaches for osteoarthritis, especially of the knee. The results are encouraging but modest.

What the research says

  • Osteoarthritis: in a 2018 review, acupuncture relieved OA pain better than no treatment (10 studies, 2,413 people) and better than sham acupuncture (9 studies, 2,376 people), but the gap over sham was smaller. Most participants had knee OA, and the pain relief was comparable to that of NSAIDs. For hip OA, two sham-controlled studies found little or no difference (NCCIH).
  • Guideline: the 2019 ACR/Arthritis Foundation guideline conditionally (weakly) recommends acupuncture for knee, hip and hand OA. It notes that the benefit is largely a “contextual” effect plus a small difference between real and sham needling, that the strongest evidence is for the knee, and that the risk of harm is minor (ACR/Arthritis Foundation, 2019).
  • Mixed results: one 2014 Australian study found needle and laser acupuncture modestly better than no treatment, but not better than sham laser (NCCIH).
  • Rheumatoid arthritis: eleven studies found no clear evidence of benefit (NCCIH).

In short: acupuncture may offer some extra relief for knee OA pain, used alongside — not instead of — exercise and medical care.

Safety

Relatively few complications have been reported. Problems have come from non-sterile needles and poor technique; in the U.S., needles must be sterile and single-use, and most states license acupuncturists (NCCIH). MBHA suggests telling your acupuncturist if you take a blood thinner or have a joint replacement.

What it costs

Published examples run about $125–$230 for a first private visit and $90–$185 for follow-ups; community clinics about $50–$90 a visit (The Pricer). A course of several sessions can add up.

Find an acupuncturist in our directory

Approach 4 of 6

Herbal medicine

Many supplements are sold for joint pain. The evidence is mostly weak or negative, and some products interact with arthritis medicines. For RA and other inflammatory arthritis, medical treatment can slow or prevent joint damage, so never use a supplement in place of it (NCCIH).

Turmeric (curcumin)

Early evidence for curcumin taken by mouth for knee OA is positive, but better studies are needed; it’s unclear whether curcumin ointment helps. Turmeric can upset the stomach, liver damage has been reported with highly absorbable curcumin products, and supplements may be unsafe in pregnancy (NCCIH).

Glucosamine and chondroitin

  • The large U.S. GAIT trial gave 1,583 people with knee OA glucosamine, chondroitin, both, an anti-inflammatory drug (celecoxib) or a placebo for 24 weeks. Overall, the supplements did not reduce pain significantly better than placebo, while celecoxib did. An exploratory look at people with moderate-to-severe pain suggested the combination might help them (GAIT trial, NEJM, 2006).
  • A two-year follow-up of 572 GAIT participants found no treatment slowed joint narrowing by a meaningful amount compared with placebo (GAIT, Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2008, NCCIH).
  • The 2019 guideline strongly recommends against glucosamine for knee, hip and hand OA, and against chondroitin for knee and hip OA, though it conditionally recommends chondroitin for hand OA based on a single trial (ACR/Arthritis Foundation, 2019).
  • Safety: both have been linked to a higher bleeding risk in people taking warfarin, and glucosamine may raise blood sugar in some people (NCCIH).

Fish oil (omega-3s)

For RA, reviews suggest omega-3-rich foods may ease pain and swollen, tender joints, but the evidence is low quality (NCCIH). Talk with your provider first if you take a blood-thinning medicine or are allergic to fish or shellfish (NCCIH). For OA, only one trial exists, and the 2019 guideline conditionally recommends against fish oil (ACR/Arthritis Foundation, 2019).

Capsaicin cream

Capsaicin, from chili peppers, is rubbed on the skin. The 2019 guideline conditionally recommends it for knee OA (the benefits are small) but against it for hand OA, partly because of the risk of getting it in your eyes (ACR/Arthritis Foundation, 2019). It can irritate the skin (NCCIH).

Products to be careful with

Before you take any supplement, show it to your doctor or pharmacist — especially if you take a blood thinner, a DMARD, a biologic or another immune-suppressing medicine, have diabetes, or are pregnant (NCCIH, NCCIH, NCCIH). Never stop or change a prescribed medicine on your own (NCCIH). We don’t list doses here.

Approach 5 of 6

Massage therapy

Many people with arthritis find massage soothing for stiff muscles around sore joints. It is a comfort measure; it doesn’t change the course of the disease.

What the research says

  • Knee osteoarthritis: the NIH says massage may have short-term benefits for knee pain; five of six studies found short-term relief (NCCIH). In a 2019 U.S. trial of 222 adults, eight weekly one-hour massages improved pain, stiffness and function more than light touch or usual care at 8 weeks, but by one year there was no difference between the groups. Side effects were minimal (trial, J Gen Intern Med, 2019).
  • Guideline: the 2019 ACR/Arthritis Foundation guideline conditionally recommends against massage for knee and hip OA because studies were small and at high risk of bias — though the patients on its panel felt strongly that massage helped them (ACR/Arthritis Foundation, 2019).
  • Hands: research is very limited. A 2014 study of 20 adults with hand arthritis compared massage plus a pain-relieving cream with massage alone, with no untreated comparison group (study, J Bodyw Mov Ther, 2014).
  • Rheumatoid arthritis: one 2013 study of 42 people suggested moderate-pressure massage may reduce pain and improve grip strength in the arms and shoulders (NCCIH).

Safety

The risk of harm appears low, but rare serious problems — including a blood clot, nerve injury or broken bone — have been reported, sometimes with vigorous or deep-tissue work and in older adults (NCCIH, NCCIH). Massage therapists working with arthritis need to understand the special needs of affected joints (NCCIH). MBHA suggests choosing gentle pressure, telling your therapist about your arthritis and any joint replacement, and skipping massage over a joint that is hot or swollen — and don’t use massage to put off seeing a provider (NCCIH).

What it costs

  • Prices vary by location. At one national chain, franchise price lists show about $125–$160 for a 60-minute massage for non-members and about $65–$90 for members, whose memberships run about $70–$90 a month (The Pricer). Tips are extra.

Find a massage therapist in our directory

Approach 6 of 6

MBHA Wellness Coach

The CDC names five self-care steps for arthritis: learn self-management skills, be active, keep a healthy weight, see your provider, and protect your joints (CDC). An MBHA Wellness Coach can help you turn them into daily habits — alongside, never instead of, your medical care.

An activity plan you’ll stick with

  • Physical activity is safe for people with arthritis. Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate activity plus muscle-strengthening on 2 days, and older adults should add balance activities. Even 5 or 10 minutes at a time counts (CDC).
  • Joint-friendly choices include brisk walking, cycling, swimming and water exercise, dancing, tai chi and light gardening. Some pain or stiffness is normal at first and should improve over time; if it doesn’t, or symptoms are severe, contact your provider (CDC).
  • Walk With Ease is a CDC-recognized walking program; U.S. residents can get a free guidebook to start at their own pace (CDC).

Weight

For adults with overweight or obesity, even a small weight loss can lower arthritis pain and disability (CDC). A coach can help you set realistic goals; the CDC points to the MyPlate Plan for daily food targets, and notes that physical activity helps keep weight off (CDC). For gout, losing weight and limiting alcohol, sugary drinks, red and organ meats and some seafood can help prevent flares (MedlinePlus, CDC).

Sleep and stress

Relaxation techniques are one way to help manage arthritis symptoms (MedlinePlus); sleep and stress can also affect weight (CDC).

Protecting your joints

  • Avoiding joint injuries lowers the chance of getting osteoarthritis or making it worse; repeated motions such as frequent knee bending raise the risk (CDC).
  • Adjust furniture and posture, and use adaptive devices for daily tasks (ACR); with RA, an occupational therapist can advise on protecting your joints at home and at work, and on splints or devices that help you open jars or turn on taps (NHS). Wear protective gear for sports (CDC).

Self-management education programs

CDC-recognized workshops — such as the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, the Chronic Pain Self-Management Program and Tomando Control de su Salud in Spanish — teach you to cope with symptoms, fatigue and stress (CDC). They are low-cost (about $25–$35) (CDC), and some are offered remotely (CDC). The 2019 OA guideline strongly recommends self-management programs (ACR/Arthritis Foundation, 2019). For help finding one, call the Arthritis Foundation helpline at 1-800-283-7800 (CDC).

Mood and connection

RA can limit activities and lead to social isolation (CDC). If you feel isolated, anxious or depressed, MBHA suggests reaching out to your clinician, a social worker or a support group.

Smoking and rheumatoid arthritis

Smoking raises the risk of getting RA, can make arthritis worse, and makes it harder to stay active (CDC); quitting is strongly advised (ACR). Free help is available at 1-800-QUIT-NOW, or text QUITNOW to 333888 (CDC).

In their own words

Wellness and lifestyle testimonials

Please read first. These are personal experiences, not medical advice. MBHA makes no medical claims and does not claim any product heals or cures arthritis. Some types, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can damage joints permanently if they are not treated, so keep seeing your doctor and never stop or change a prescribed medicine because of anything you read here. Magnets can interfere with pacemakers and insulin pumps — ask your doctor first if you use one.

I reluctantly tried magnetic insoles and a few small magnets for newly diagnosed osteoarthritis. I’m a very active high school teacher and thought the pain would force me to change careers. Within a few weeks my pain eased and I was walking around my classroom again. I’m not cured — I can still tell you when the weather is going to change — but every morning before school I put on my insoles, small magnets and necklace, and I can face the day.

— Annie

I have arthritis in both knees, and from time to time they get very uncomfortable, especially when the weather changes. It is so simple to slip on the magnetic knee wraps, and the discomfort eases within minutes. I’m continually amazed at how easy they are to use.

— Don

My mother developed arthritis in her right thumb at 85 and could no longer write. After she began wearing a magnetic bracelet on that wrist, she was able to write again, and she’s 89 now. A magnetic roller and a cream seemed to help other people we know with arthritic hands.

— Joan

My cousin belongs to a quilting group, and many of the women have arthritis in their hands, which quilting makes worse. About a year ago she started using a magnetic bracelet and a cream, had a good reaction, and now many of the women in the group use them too.

— Loretta

I first heard about magnetic products because my sister has severe rheumatoid arthritis. We got her a magnetic mattress pad, a magnetic hand wrap, a few small pads and some far-infrared wraps, and all of them gave her relief. She even tapes scraps cut from magnetic insoles to the places that hurt, and she wouldn’t be without her wraps.

— Nell

I have osteoarthritis throughout my body. Five years ago I was going to the chiropractor every other day because the pain was so bad. Someone lent me some products, and I now sleep on a full magnetic sleep system (mattress pad, pillow and comforter), wear magnetic insoles in my shoes every day, and wear a bracelet and necklace. If I know I’ll be sitting all day or doing something strenuous, like shoveling snow, I also put on a back wrap. I wouldn’t be without them.

— Susan

I have a lot of arthritis in my big toe. I wear magnetic insoles every day and added a small magnetic patch right over the toe joint, and what an improvement! I can walk around now without discomfort in my toe.

— Lynn

I have arthritis in my left knee and wear a magnetic elbow wrap on it. My foot was hurting in the middle of the night, so I put the same wrap on my foot and went back to sleep. When I travel or work out, or when my shoulder, neck or lower back is sore from sitting at the computer, I lay a magnetic sock around my neck. It’s so relaxing — funny looking, but it starts conversations.

— Kitty

I have degenerative disc disease in my neck and spine, and arthritis, along with lupus. I’ve used a full magnetic sleep system — deluxe mattress, far-infrared comforter, pillow and sleep mask — and have found tremendous benefit in the level of discomfort in my back and neck. I also wear a magnetic necklace and insoles and use a magnetic seat pad at work and at home.

— Name withheld

Shared with first names only. Lightly edited for length and spelling.

Member stories

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This page is for education only and is not medical advice. Costs are typical U.S. ranges and estimates; yours will depend on your provider, location and insurance. Talk with your doctor before starting, stopping or combining any treatment. In an emergency, call 911. See our disclaimer.

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The Monterey Bay Holistic Alliance is a charitable, independent registered nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and does not endorse any particular products or practices. Claims and statements herein are for informational purposes only and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. We strongly recommend that you seek out your trusted medical doctor or practitioner for diagnosis and treatment of any existing health condition. MBHA provides administrative support, education and navigation — not medical, legal or tax advice — and cannot guarantee claim, billing or fundraising outcomes. MBHA is not an emergency service: in an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.