Is MBST® therapy safe?

If your healthcare professional has suggested MBST® therapy aspart of a physiotherapy treatment programme, you may be keen to assess whether MBST® therapy is safe.  With its origins in MRI scanning, MBST® magnetic resonance technology was developed in Germany over 20 years ago. With more than 1 million hours of treatment administered to patients worldwide, and no reported side-effects, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recently reported no safety concerns associated with MBST® magnetic resonance therapy for knee osteoarthritis.

No safety concerns - NICE

In August 2021, The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence reported no major safety concerns associated with MBST® magnetic resonance therapy for knee osteoarthritis. This was after an evidence-based assessment in the form of a review of the published literature on the efficacy and safety of MBST® technology - a comprehensive literature search and detailed review of the evidence from 5 sources including a randomised controlled trial, 1 review, 1 survey, 1 cohort study and 1 case series. The committee also noted that the symptoms of osteoarthritis relapse and remit post MBST® magnetic resonance therapy.  The details from NICE can be read in full here.

Twenty years in use & no known side effects

MBST® magnetic resonance therapy has been developed by MedTec GmbH with the specific aim of treating degenerative disease of the musculoskeletal system and bone metabolism disorders.  Over the course of the last 20 years, over 130,000 patients have benefited from the therapeutic effects of MBST® therapy as part of private medical practice.

Side effects are unwanted effects of a medical measurement that occur in addition to the intended effect. To date there are no known side effects attributed to MBST® therapy, after being introduced to the market in 1998.

MBST® & Physiotherapy

MBST® magnetic resonance therapy is only offered in certified MBST® treatment centres and clinics and is only carried out after medical diagnosis by a healthcare professional. As part of the patient consultation process, patients are given full details of the efficacy and suitability of treatment thus ensuring that they receive MBST® therapy as part of a tailored physiotherapy, chiropractic or osteopathic treatment programme.

MBST® is not suitable for all bone or musculoskeletal conditions and At The Core physiotherapists give professional medical advice on patient suitability for MBST ®therapy depending on symptoms, condition, advancement of condition. To practice physiotherapy in the UK, physiotherapists must by law be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC), the UK regulatory body for health and care professionals.  At The Core chartered physiotherapists are also qualified members of the professional body Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP) through which they commit to providing high quality services and to protecting the quality of physical treatments.  

MBST® as an International Therapy Standard

MedTec GmbH has the aim to establishing MBST®therapy as one of the standard therapies for treating degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system and bone metabolism disorders. MBST®technology is patented, accredited and in compliance with the current 93/42/EEC Directive of the European Union.

UK regulatory body MHRA

Since the UK’s withdrawal from theEuropean Union, medical device regulation and categorisation has been under theMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) which is responsible for regulation of medicines, medical devices and blood components for transfusion in the UK.  MBST ® devices are registered in the UK on the MHRA portal (registration number 58012) under the classification IIa medical devices and meet all certified demands in UK, Europe and Asia.

Clinical Evaluation & Pre-clinical testing of MBST ® technology

Every year a clinical evaluation report is created to demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of MBST® magnetic resonance therapy. This is carried out and completed by an independent professional. Additionally, pre-clinical testing has been performed for the MBST® magnetic resonance technology systems and all forms of the device meet the general safety and performance requirements as outlined in Medical DeviceRegulation UK.

MBST® devices carry the CE mark

The clinical evaluation of medical devices is an essential element of the conformity assessment for CE marking of medical devices.  The CE mark (Conformite Europeenne) is applied to products to indicate that they conform with all relevant EU directives regarding health and safety or environmental protection. It is a mark recognised in the European Economic Area (EEA), which although the UK is no longer a part, can be used if placing certain goods on the UK or EU market until 1 January 2023. 

European Medical Device Regulation

According to Medical Device Regulation (EU) 2017/745),Annex XIV Part A, the evaluation of clinical performance and safety must be based on 'clinical data' and is required for all medical device classes. The clinical evaluation report (CER)and the clinical data on which it is based, verifies the clinical safety and performance of MBST® devices.

MBST® is a non-invasive therapy

Injections, infusions, drugs or painkillers are not part of the MBST® magnetic resonance therapy.  MBST® is currently part of private practice and only available in the UK under the recommendation of health care professionals practicing physiotherapy and osteopathy, along with chiropractors and private consultants. Should you visit your GP with a condition which MBST® might be designed to treat, they might prescribe medication separately and additionally in individual patient cases.

I’m delighted to see this exciting new technology made available in Bath through the good work of Paul and his team. MBST® has already been shown to produce significant improvements in pain and activity in patients treated in centres throughout Europe. Used in conjunction with a rehabilitation programme it can get patients back to sport when surgery or medication has little to offer.

Johnathan Webb, Consultant Orthopaedic Knee Surgeon, MB ChB FRCS(Orth)

College of Radiographers report reduced pain

Added to the recent report of ‘no major safety concerns’ by NICE, a scoping study by the College of Radiographers, found reduced pain and improved mobility in patients with osteoarthritis following a course of magnetic resonance therapy treatment, medical professionals and consultants are embracing the benefits of MBST® technology in support of such conditions in the UK.  

You can find out more about MBST® therapy and how we use it as part of physiotherapy practice At The Core here.

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