Magnetic Toe Rings – Everything You Need To Know

Magnetic toe rings are a popular new natural health aide that may have some surprising benefits. These devices come in the form of slim silicone rings with magnets attached, which slip onto your toes and are meant to be worn for long periods of time, all day or all night as needed. Sometimes they are made of copper, but more commonly silicone, as it is much more comfortable to wear and non-allergenic. They may look unassuming, but these small plastic devices boast some powerful health benefits, which find their roots in ancient Chinese and Japanese medicine. They are easy to wear, affordable to buy, and provide a convenient way of doing something good for your body without even thinking about it. 

Anyone interested in magnetic toe rings may have read a brief overview of the product, but have some questions about the specifics. How do magnetic toe rings work? What exactly are the benefits? Are they actually beneficial to your health? This guide aims to provide answers to these questions; acting as a comprehensive overview of all things “magnetic toe ring.” From the well established ideas behind them, to how they can have an impact, it’s clear that toe rings are not just a fashion accessory anymore.  

HOW DO THEY WORK?

Magnetic toe rings stem from a long history of traditional Chinese medicine, and the ancient Japanese art of reflexology. Some of the first and most popular magnetic toe rings were originally made by Japanese companies. 

  The mechanisms behind the ring find their roots in the Chinese concept of qi commonly translated to “vital energy.” Qi is a fundamental aspect of Chinese medicine as a whole, and is essentially understood to be the complex spiritual energy system of the body. For our purposes, qi refers particularly to the electromagnetic channels that keep our bodies functioning. 

The science of our bodies has a lot to do with energy and the transfer of energy; from the smallest cells and electrons, to the intricate neuron systems in the brain. Energy comes in the form of electric signals and currents, which occur as a normal part of chemical processes that essentially make the “machine” of the body work correctly day in and day out. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that this process can drift out of balance, creating “blocks” of electromagnetic energy that can lead to a host of issues. 

Magnetic therapy is one method that aims to solve these energy imbalances, and another is acupressure. Acupressure is a popular worldwide practice that also utilises qi and the meridians, which are twelve pathways that the qi energy flows along. By applying pressure to certain points on the body along these energy pathways, one can stimulate the qi and bring balance to the body’s energy system. This is the same idea behind acupuncture, where needles are used on these points instead of massage or pressure. 

Magnetic toe rings bring together magnetic therapies with acupressure to provide their result. The ring fits snugly and provides a steady amount of pressure, while the magnet creates an electromagnetic field. They are meant to be worn for at least 12 hours a day, but can be worn more or less depending on your specific needs.

BENEFITS OF THE MAGNETIC TOE RING:

1. Weight loss and thyroid health

One of the most popular uses for magnetic toe rings is weight management. Most of the toe rings you’ll find online are marketed specifically for this purpose. Although the toe rings are not a magic cure for weight loss by any means, they still have the potential to help you on your weight loss path and make your results more significant, along with a sensible diet and exercise plan. 

So how exactly do magnetic toe rings help you lose weight? 

As discussed above, the answer comes down to the acupressure and magnetic therapies that the rings are based on. 

Acupuncture and acupressure have long been shown to help simulate weight loss in a variety of ways. You can read more about acupuncture as a part of a weight loss plan in our article here. One of these ways is by helping to ease cravings and help regulate hunger cues, making a diet much easier to follow. 

Acupressure has also been shown to help with metabolism function. Your metabolism is, in simple terms, the process of taking food and drink and converting it into usable energy. If your metabolism is slow or stunted, it can be much harder to lose weight. Acupressure can give the jolt you need to jump-start your metabolic system. Magnetic therapy similarly, can produce the desired effect by manipulating energy flow.

The placement on the toe specifically, is particularly helpful with weight loss. In traditional Chinese acupressure, the acupoints at the base of the big toe, (where the toe ring would be applying the most pressure,) are connected to the neck and the hypophysis. The hypophysis, also known as the pituitary gland, is an important component of the endocrine system. It releases hormones into the body that regulate other important glands like the thyroid. The endocrine system plays a huge role in regulating a whole host of body systems, such as: sleep, tissue function, sexual function, mood, and, most importantly for weight loss, metabolism regulation. 

As mentioned, the thyroid is also a key part of this system. One of the main symptoms of an underactive thyroid, (also known as hypothyroidism,) is weight gain or an inability to lose weight. When it is functioning well, the thyroid releases hormones that are vital for weight management. 

An underactive thyroid can also cause fatigue and depression. Setting aside the impact on weight loss, these issues can be difficult to manage on their own. This is especially true though, when the person who is struggling is also on a weight loss journey, as mood issues and fatigue make it incredibly hard to lead the healthy lifestyle required for sustainable weight management.   

There are many natural aids to thyroid function out there. Herbal supplements, vitamins, and diet changes can help with function of the gland. However, none of these cures are quite as convenient as targeting acupoints on the big toe in a sustained way throughout the day, without having to actively do a thing. The magnetic toe ring can therefore be a uniquely simple part of a bigger weight loss plan. 

2. Arthritis

Another main benefit of wearing the magnetic toe rings can be easing arthritis pain. Some studies have suggested that acupressure can release endorphins. When the pressure points are stimulated, our bodies natural pain-killing chemicals can be activated, which, in turn, eases some of the pain associated with arthritis and other conditions.

Within the philosophy of qi, there is the belief that energy blockages can lead to inflammation. Inflammation in our body happens as a response to injury and infection. It is a way of alerting the immune system to damage and is ultimately a vital part of the healing process. In some cases, however, inflammation can be unhealthy and result in an array of common but serious problems, including arthritis. A major aim of the kind of energy work that is used in magnetic therapy and acupressure is to reduce this unhelpful inflammation and the pain that comes along with it. 

DO THEY ACTUALLY WORK?

Although there is little scientific data on the specific toe ring system, there are many positive anecdotal results and also no serious side effects to the use of the rings. 

This may lead many to wonder though: if there’s no definitive proof these rings work, why should I buy them? At the end of the day, it is your decision whether or not to purchase a product, but there are many plus sides to the rings. Firstly, although the rings themselves do not have a wealth of studies behind them, the practices of magnetic therapy and acupressure are more widely studied and do have a lot of evidence to back them up. Traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine are ancient practices, and are popular for a reason. The rings are a smaller, more accessible version of these therapies.

Secondly, magnetic toe rings are affordable and incredibly easy to use. While acupressure massages can cost upwards of £100 and require the time and energy of travelling to a massage facility, the toe rings range from just £4 to about £7. Acupressure can be uncomfortable for those not used to the method, while the toe rings are meant to be worn and forgotten about during the day. 

Of course, when you pay for a professional you tend to get a more dramatic result. However, professional treatments are a big investment, and they may work differently for different bodies. While some get fantastic results, some don’t. The rings can therefore be a good, low risk option for someone wanting to dip their toes, (no pun intended,) into the world of acupressure and magnetic therapy without breaking the bank. It can be a stepping stone into further exploration of how these systems work with your unique body. 

OUR THOUGHTS:

Magnetic toe rings have some promising health benefits. With the ease of use and low risk nature of these little silicone devices, it may be worth giving a try. They certainly can be one part of a larger holistic health approach. 

Members of our natural cures website have access to information and recommendations that cover a wide range of natural medicinal alternatives. Magnetic toe rings can be used with other cures that compliment them to produce optimal results.

 The team at natural cures are always on the lookout for alternative medicine, for people who want to avoid harsh medications or surgery when possible. The ancient health practices of China and Japan are rich resources for such alternative cures, and are well worth looking into. We are constantly seeking new innovations in this space and magnetic toe rings are just one exciting possibility of many.