Types of Magnetic Therapy Products

There are a wide assortment of biomagnetic products depending on a person's needs. This article contains a brief description of some of the more common types of magnet therapy products and their uses.

Medical or Spot Magnets
These individual medical, or spot, magnets can be affixed to any part of the body using various methods including surgical tape, adhesive or elastic bandages, or wraps. Spot magnets can be applied directly over any areas to be treated or, alternatively, can be affixed to acupuncture points.

Ankle Braces and Wraps
Magnetic therapy ankle support products, such as braces and wraps, not only provide compression support for injured or weak ankles, but also apply magnetic healing to the ankle. These types of supports can be used for ankle strains, sprains, or generalized pain in the ankle due to injury or overuse.

Shoulder Supports
Magnetic shoulder supports provide stabilization and support for shoulders and upper back, and also provide magnetic healing to these areas. Magnetic therapy shoulder supports can be used for painful shoulders and upper back for such problems as muscle pain, joint pain and swelling, and arthritic shoulder pain.

Back Wraps/Supports
These types of magnetic wraps cover large areas of the body to be treated, and include a large number of magnets in order to apply a magnetic field across a broad area. These types of products can be used for all types of back pain, including strains, aching muscles, and pulled muscles.

Knee Braces
Biomagnetic knee braces provide stabilization and compression for painful and/or injured knees, as well as surrounding the joint with a healing magnetic field. Magnetic therapy knee braces and wraps are utilized for a variety of knee injuries and conditions including strains, sprains, tendonitis, as well as osteoarthritis knee pain.

Elbow Braces
Similar to magnetic therapy knee braces, magnetic elbow braces provide stabilization and support for injured and/or painful elbows and also apply magnetic healing to the joint. These types of magnetic products are utilized to treat various elbow-related problems such as tendonitis, strain, as well as arthritic pain.

Bracelets
Magnetic therapy jewelry, including biomagnetic bracelets, are not only available in wide variety of fashionable and attractive types, but are also a convenient way to use magnetic therapy on a daily basis. These types of bracelets supply a constant magnetic field to the bloodstream, which may help to improve circulation, increase blood flow, and reduce pain.

Necklaces
Similar to biomagnetic bracelets, magnetic therapy necklaces come in a variety of stylish and attractive types and styles, and also provide an easy way to utilize magnetic therapy every day. Like magnetic bracelets, biomagnetic necklaces supply a constant magnetic field over the body.

Mattress Pads
Magnetic therapy mattress pads and mattress covers generally contain thousands of individual medical magnets, which then cover the entire body in a healing magnetic field while sleeping. These products are often used by people who suffer from chronic pain, especially back pain. Many people also use magnetic pads and covers as a holistic tool for better overall health.

Massagers
Magnetic massagers are one of the newer magnetic therapy products, and they provide the benefit of allowing users to target specific areas of the body with magnetic fields. They come in a variety of types and strengths. Generally, the more powerful the magnetic field (higher gauss measurement), the deeper the penetration of the field will be. These massagers can be used for increasing blood flow and to treat pain in various joints and other areas of the body.

For more information regarding magnetic therapy use and research visit Biomagnetic Therapy Information or Healing Magnets: Magnetic Pain Relief

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Health Claims For Bio-Magnetic Therapy

The medical applications of magnetism are no longer just relegated to such things as high tech diagnostic devices, like the MRI, and magnetic dental implants. The health claims attributed to magnets have many people donning magnetic jewelry, "sports magnets" and other forms of "bio-magnets." Some studies have indicated that bio-magnetic therapy may provide an alternative form of therapy for injuries.

There has recently been a resurgence of interest in using the basic principles of magnetism to treat pain and discomfort. Various athletes wear flexible coated magnets in lumbar supports, in knee braces, wrist bands, elbow supports, ankle supports, sewn into clothing or in their shoes. These flexible magnets are very popular with golfers and can be found in many pro-shops. Magnetic bracelets are also very popular but generally make no specific health claims. There are even "whole body" magnet kits for sale that include a variety of flexible and wrap-around magnets for any part of the body! Some people sew flexible magnets into clothing to wear while exercising or training. But be careful wearing magnets, of any type, during contact sports could cause injury to you, your teammate or your opponent.

Magnet therapy dates back to the time of Plato when they were used to treat muscle spasms and gout. During the middle Ages, people placed magnets on the skin in an attempt to "attract diseases out of the body". Today magnets are theoretically used to affect red blood cells (which contain iron) as they respond to a magnetic field causing the cells to become more active. Supposedly, more active red blood cells use more oxygen thereby causing a more rapid healing. Bio Magnetics International claims that magnetic therapy causes a quicker removal of lactic acid from overworked muscles, resulting in a faster recovery time, and a change in the migration of calcium ions that aid in the removal of toxins from arthritic joints. The magnet's negative pole (N pole) appears to contain the healing energy. Negative electromagnetic fields appear necessary for healing to take place.

Medical claims include: temporarily relieving pain and stiffness, helping to heal bone fractures, treat "restless leg syndrome", treat severe depression (replacing electroconvulsive treatment) and to assist in the "maintenance" of peripheral blood flow. Magnets have also been shown to decrease pain in diabetic peripheral neuropathy and post-polio pain, but pain returned when magnetic therapy was discontinued. There are also on-going studies using magnetism for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Some sources suggest that more than 70% of those who tried biomagnetic products have found some level of improvement for their condition.

Around the world, magnetic-pulse therapy is used to treat thoroughbred horses with leg and spine injuries.
Research has shown that when charged particles pass through a magnetic field perpendicularly, they generate an alternating current that generates heat, expands blood vessels and increases blood flow with increased oxygen and nutrients to heal an injured site. Although magnet therapy may help to relieve pain and discomfort, it is not an accepted medical treatment and a medical doctor should be consulted for any serious condition. More controlled studies are needed to determine the best strengths of magnets and to determine any dangers or side effects.

If you decide to try magnet therapy, choose a magnet with its strength labeled. A magnet's strength is measured in gauss. The higher the number the stronger the magnet: usually 300 to 500 gauss. Your favorite magnet on the fridge is about 60 gauss!

The jury is still out on determining the optimal magnetic field for specific medical conditions. When more studies are done, you'll know whether your magnet is too weak, too strong or just right for your condition.
Note: A physician should be consulted prior to using magnets and to rule out possible medical conditions. Don't stop any treatment that you are on without the consent of your physician. Make sure your physician is aware of any shrapnel or surgical screws and pins in your body. Don't use magnets at the same time as you use an electric blanket or electric heating pad. Magnets should not be used around a pacemaker or implant or if pregnant.

Mr. Klemens is an accomplished author, writer, and practicing pharmacist. He has authored a book on integrative medicine (Mountains and Rivers: Complementing your Healthcare with Alternative Medicine, ISBN: 1-4033-8672-2) and numerous articles in local, national, and international magazines, and web sites. Topics include integrative medicine, Oriental medicine, herbs and supplements, health and fitness, Scottish culture, and leadership and ethics. He is also listed in the Marquis Who's Who in America, a member of Clan Gregor, and is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. http://www.writers.net/writers/22138 http://jksamurai.googlepages.com/home Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Klemens

Biomagnetic Therapy-Yesterday Technology

Many people may think that using magnets for health purposes is a modern phenomenon, but, in fact, the use of magnets for both their healing and restorative properties has been documented around the world since ancient times.  Records from a number of great ancient civilizations exist, which indicate that they recognized the health benefits associated with magnets.  The Yellow Emperor's Book, a Chinese medical text dating from 2000 BC, describes the application of magnetic stones in order to correct imbalances in the "Qi," or lifeforce.  Writings from Egypt document the therapeutic use of magnets by ancient physicians.  Another well-known story from ancient Egypt, tells of how Cleopatra regularly adorned herself with magnetic jewelry, or wore a magnetic stone around her forehead, in order to preserve her beauty and youth.

The ancient Greeks were also known to have utilized magnets for therapeutic purposes.  Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, spoke of the therapeutic properties of lodestone, a naturally occurring magnetic substance.  Around 200 BC, it is documented that the famous Greek physician Galen found that the application of magnets to the body could alleviate pain caused by various illnesses.

The early years of the common era provide continued documentation of the healing power of magnets.  During the 1st century AD, Chinese physicians recorded the effects on health and disease related to variations in the earth's magnetic field, using sensitive compasses to monitor these variations.  Around 1000 AD, a Persian physician recorded the use of magnets to relieve disorders, including muscle spasms and gout.
Beginning in the 16th century, the number of studies regarding the use of magnetic therapy by European physicians began to increase, as greater success was reported.  In 1530, the respected Swiss physician Paracelsus reported successes with various treatments using magnetic fields.  He was removed from his position as Professor of Medicine at Basle University because of his goal of promoting science over religion in regards to medicine.  In the 17th century, the renowned English physician Gilbert documented the health benefits of magnetism.  During the mid-18th century, Maximillian Hell, a Jesuit priest, who devoted his life to the study of mathematics and astronomy, experimented with treating patients with new, more powerful, carbon steel magnets, which were shaped to fit the area of the body to be treated.

In 1777, Abbot Lenoble, of France's Royal Society of Medicine, conducted an in-depth study of biomagnetic therapy.  He made and tested therapeutic magnets, recommending the application of magnetic bracelets and necklaces to the wrist and chest.  He replicated results in dozens of cases of magnetic therapy including the treatment of toothache, arthritis, stomach spasms, and convulsions, among other diseases.  During the 19th century, the number of detailed studies continued to grow including studies by Eydam in 1843, Charot and Renard in 1878, Westphal and Gangee in 1878, Mueller in 1879, and Benedict in 1885.

Since the 1950s, a large number of biomagnetic therapy studies have been conducted in Japan which have demonstrated the effectiveness of magnetic fields in treating various disorders.  Magnetic jewelry, including necklaces and bracelets, are sold in Japan, Europe, and China for the relief of pain and stiffness, as well as for improved circulation.  Many magnetic devices sold in Japan are registered with the Japan Welfare Ministry as medical devices.  To obtain this registration, devices are required to undergo clinical tests at accredited medical facilities to verify effectiveness.

Currently, Western physicians are getting positive results using electromagnetic fields to treat damage, including ulcers and severe burns.  Soft tissue, joints, and bone injuries have reported to have responsive to this treatment.  Russian doctors routinely employ magnets to speed-up the healing process after surgery and to improve circulation.

Although biomagnetic therapy is still generally considered an alternative medicine in the West, its acceptance as a viable option for the relief of pain and improved health has grown substantially in recent years.  A review of the treatment's long and detailed history, as well as the ever-increasing amount of positive anecdotal evidence by users of therapeutic magnets, suggests a significant connection between magnets and health.

For more information about the science, history, and use of therapeutic magnets for pain relief and improved health, visit the Biomagnetic Therapy Information site, at http://www.biomagnetic-therapy-info.com

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