It's a known fact that strong magnets can injure people if they aren't careful with them. However, there are also those who believe magnetism can have positive effects on people's health. There are many forms of alternative medicine in use around the world and magnet therapy is among them. Whether or not individuals decide to pursue magnet therapy, here are a few things they should know about it before they make a final decision: The basics Magnet therapy is essentially what it sounds like - the application of magnets to parts of the body where magnetic fields could make a positive difference. According to the American Cancer Society, the placement of magnets of various sizes and strengths is believed to treat disease and relieve pain. Those who believe in the healing power of magnetism say it can relieve pain caused by arthritis, headaches and stress. There are also individuals who think exposing the body to magnetic fields can heal broken bones, reverse degenerative diseases and even cure cancer. Of course, these are rather bold claims, and, as a result, there is much skepticism about the health benefits of magnets. Much doubt The ACS states that there's no available scientific evidence that backs up the claims of magnet therapy proponents. Fortunately, exposure to magnetism doesn't have any negative effects on people's health unless they have implantable medical devices, such as pacemakers. Despite a lack of evidence to back up magnetism's health benefits, there are many products on the market that are sold to those who believe they can heal themselves with nothing more than magnetic fields. This can be harmful to people who require medical care but think magnets could provide a better solution. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that as scientific evidence does not back up the pain-relieving power of magnets, individuals shouldn't postpone seeing a health care provider because they are undergoing magnet treatments. If people pursue non-magnetic treatments but still insist on undergoing magnet therapy as well, they need to inform a health care provider to ensure coordinated and safe care. Ultimately, anyone who has heard about the wonders of magnet therapy may want to think twice before placing Rare Earth magnets on his or her body. Discover More With Apex Magnets Want to stay up-to-date on the latest magnetic discoveries? Sign up for our newsletter to get these stories and more sent straight to your inbox each month.