MBST – Advanced Therapy for Osteoarthritis and Chronic Pain
Chronic pain and degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis have a real impact on quality of life, restricting movement, independence and day-to-day wellbeing. In many cases, conventional treatments offer only temporary relief, or do not address what is causing the problem.
MBST (Magnetic Resonance Therapy) is an advanced, non-invasive and pain-free technology developed in Germany. It is designed to stimulate the cellular repair processes of musculoskeletal tissue — cartilage, bone and connective tissue.
At Sentir Saúde, in Vila do Conde — around 30 minutes from Porto — MBST is delivered within a structured clinical framework. Every course begins with a specialist assessment and is supported by physiotherapy, so that the therapy is applied safely, selectively and with functional outcomes in mind.
What is MBST therapeutic magnetic resonance?
MBST is a therapy based on specific electromagnetic fields that act at cellular level, supporting the repair and recovery of tissue affected by degenerative or chronic inflammatory processes.
The physical principle behind it is therapeutic magnetic resonance: hydrogen protons within the cells are excited by a controlled electromagnetic field, prompting biochemical reactions that are impaired in degenerative conditions — in particular proteoglycan synthesis in cartilage and bone metabolism.
Unlike a conventional MRI scan, which produces images for diagnosis, the MBST device transfers energy to the cells in order to activate their natural repair and regeneration processes.
The therapy has been in clinical use internationally for more than 25 years, since 1998, and is available in over 40 countries. Published research in indexed journals has examined its use in osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and chronic musculoskeletal pain.
What does a course of treatment involve?
Step 1 — Initial clinical assessment
→ A detailed review of the condition, its severity and your clinical history
→ Confirmation that MBST is appropriate for your particular case
→ A check for any contraindications, such as a pacemaker, implants or pregnancy
Step 2 — A protocol built around you
→ A course of 5 to 10 sessions, set by the physiotherapist responsible for your care
→ Sessions run on consecutive days or at short intervals
→ Can be built into an intensive programme (Premium Recovery), which suits patients travelling from abroad
Step 3 — The session itself
→ Each session lasts 60 minutes
→ You simply lie down — no pain, no injections, no discomfort
→ No recovery time is needed afterwards
Step 4 — Gradual results
→ Improvement tends to develop over the weeks following treatment
→ The stimulus to biological repair takes place over time, not overnight
Which conditions is MBST therapy used for?
MBST is not a universal solution. It is used for specific conditions, and always on the basis of an individual assessment. At Sentir Saúde, a detailed clinical assessment always comes first.
The conditions with the strongest supporting evidence include:
- Osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, shoulder, spine or hands — reducing pain and improving joint function where cartilage has worn
- Disc herniation and spinal conditions — relieving nerve root pressure and supporting disc repair
- Osteoporosis and osteopenia — stimulating bone metabolism and helping to slow further loss of bone density
- Tendinopathy and soft-tissue injuries — supporting tendon regeneration where pain persists
- Chronic musculoskeletal pain — improving quality of life in long-standing cases
- Situations where you would rather avoid surgery or injections
• Cases where other conservative treatments have not produced the results hoped for
An important clinical note
MBST does not replace medical assessment, and it does not produce the same outcome for everyone. Results depend on your clinical condition, how long you have had it, and how you respond as an individual.
What makes MBST different?
✓ Non-invasive | no needles, no surgery, no injections and no invasive procedure of any kind |
✓ Pain-free | you remain comfortable throughout the session, with no discomfort |
✓ No radiation | no ionising radiation is used, which means repeated sessions are well tolerated |
✓Compatible | it can be combined with other treatments: physiotherapy, laser and shockwave therapy |
✓ No downtime | there is no recovery period; you return to your normal activities the same day |
Together, these make MBST a well-tolerated option, including for older patients and for those living with several conditions at once.
If you would like to know whether MBST is suitable for your case, book a clinical assessment with us.
MBST and surgery: a conservative alternative worth exploring
One of the questions we are asked most often is simply this: is there an alternative to surgery?
For many cases of advanced osteoarthritis, disc herniation or chronic musculoskeletal pain, the clinical answer is yes — there are conservative approaches worth exploring before surgery is considered.
That does not mean surgery is unnecessary in every case. There are situations in which an operation remains the most appropriate option. What MBST offers is an additional therapeutic window — particularly for those who would prefer to postpone or avoid surgery, and for those who have already been operated on and are looking for intensive rehabilitation to recover well.
At Sentir Saúde, MBST can be combined with high-power laser, focused shockwave therapy and clinical Pilates as part of a rehabilitation programme built around you.
Are there any contraindications to MBST therapy?
As with any technology, there are situations that call for careful assessment beforehand. The following are reviewed before a course of treatment begins:
- A pacemaker or other implanted cardiac device
- Metal implants in certain locations
- Pregnancy
- Any other condition identified during the initial clinical assessment
For this reason the initial clinical assessment is always the first step, and is required before any MBST session at Sentir Saúde.