Where Should You Not Place a Magnet?

If you're new to biomagnetism, or even if you're a pro, this is a very important question to ask. The answer is simple; biomagnetism magnets are safe to place on most of the body. There is really only one category of exception that matters. Here's everything you need to know.

Do Not Place Magnets Here

Do not place magnets near implanted electrical or battery-powered medical devices. That's it. That's the primary contraindication for biomagnetism. Everything else is either a precaution or a common misconception worth clearing up.

If you have any of the following, keep magnets away from the implant site:

• Pacemaker

• Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)

• Cochlear implant

• Dorsal column stimulator

• Infusion pump

• Any other battery-powered or magnetically programmable implanted device

Magnetic fields can interfere with the function of these devices. A published clinical study by Wolber et al. tested small neodymium magnets on patients with pacemakers and ICDs and found that interference was possible at distances of up to 3 cm. The Mayo Clinic recommends keeping magnets at least 6 inches (15 cm) from an ICD site.

Importantly, this doesn't mean you can never use biomagnetism. It means you should not place magnets near the device itself.

Many people with implanted devices use biomagnetism magnets safely on other areas of the body.

Common Misconceptions About Magnet Placement

"I have a titanium implant; can I use magnets near it?"

Almost certainly yes. Titanium is paramagnetic, meaning it produces an extremely weak response in the presence of a magnetic field, forces so minimal they require laboratory equipment to detect. For the vast majority of people with titanium implants, biomagnetism-grade magnets are not a concern.

A useful rule of thumb: if your physician has cleared you for an MRI, the magnetic force produced by biomagnetism-grade magnets will be well within safe range for your implant.

"Can I place magnets on my head or face?"

Yes. The head is a common placement in biomagnetism. Magnets are regularly used around the jaw, temples, sinuses, and neck as part of standard protocols. There is no contraindication for placement on the head or face for people without implanted devices in those areas.

"Are there areas of the body where magnets simply don't work?"

No placement is inherently off-limits for healthy tissue. Biomagnetism protocols place magnets across the full body, abdomen, back, chest, limbs, and head, depending on what's being supported.

Where Magnets Are Commonly and Safely Placed

To give you a fuller picture, here are some of the most common biomagnetism placements:

• Lower abdomen and low back — for menstrual pain, digestive support, and pelvic health

• Jaw and TMJ area — for jaw pain, tension headaches, and facial inflammation

• Along the arms and legs — for circulation, vascular support, and swelling

• Chest and upper back — for respiratory support and nervous system regulation

• Kidneys and inguinal lymph nodes — for lymphatic drainage and detox support

• Feet and ankles — for circulation and grounding protocols

These are the kinds of placements covered in detail inside the Biomagnetism Membership, where you'll find symptom specific protocols and guided support for building your home practice.

A Few Precautions for Using Biomagnetism Magnets

Beyond implanted devices, a few guidelines for using magnets:

• Open wounds: Don't place magnets directly on broken skin. Over a bandage is fine.

• Transdermal patches: Don't place magnets over a medication patch. The field can affect absorption.

• Heat packs: Don't combine magnets directly against skin with a heat pack. They can become uncomfortably hot.

The Bottom Line

For most people, there is no placement on the body that is off-limits for therapeutic magnets. The only exception is proximity to implanted electrical devices, and even then, the rest of the body remains accessible.

Biomagnetism is one of the safest complementary modalities available. Understanding where not to place magnets is simple. Understanding where, and how, to place them is where the real learning begins.

If you want to explore the full range of biomagnetism protocols and placements, that's exactly what we cover inside the Biomagnetism Membership. And if you're ready to invest in therapeutic-grade magnets for home use, you can browse the full collection in the shop here.

Danielle Pilarinos is a biomagnetism practitioner with over a decade of clinical experience and the founder of Biomagnetic Health. This post is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your physician if you have an implanted medical device.

Reference

Wolber T, Ryf S, Binggeli C, Holzmeister J, Brunckhorst C, Luechinger R, Duru F. Potential interference of small neodymium magnets with cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Heart Rhythm. 2007;4(1):1–4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17198980/