Magnet Therapy questions answerd

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Fallowing are questions that have been submitted and my answer.
I hope these will help you in your search for effective therapy.

Determining the N or S side of the magnet or + or - side

"Could you tell me how I determine the + side of my magnets?How would I apply them to my shoulder?"

I will quote from the Magnet Therapy book by Holger Hannemann "Balancing Your Body's Energy Flow for Self-Healing"
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE POLE OF A MAGNET
While it is important in magnet therapy to use the proper pole of the magnet, not all manufacturers identify the poles on their products, and some identify them incorrectly. Here is a way to solve the problem:
First establish magnetic needle of the compass by pointing the black side [+ end could also be red, because Doris is in Australia that would be toward the sun at noon, for me that would be away from the sun at noon.]of the needle to the North.
Having established the North-South axis of the compass move the magnet toward the compass. The North seeking end of the needle will point to the south + side of the magnet.
Another way to do it: tape a thread to the edge of the magnet so that it is balanced and can swing freely. The North seeking + south side of the magnet will be facing North.
Confused? That is because when they first started making magnetic compasses they called the end pointing North North or + not realizing that opposites attract therefor it is the south end of the magnet that is pointing North. Notice above: If it is capitalized it is direction if it is not capitalized it is the pole. Not everyone dose this consistently that is why labels can be confusing.

Second part of the question:
There is considerable differences in recommendations among different practitioners. I have settled on a simple principle which is the same as for hot and cold. If it is hot put cold on it if it is cold put hot on it. Clinical experience indicates that the - side is cooling and the + side is heating. If the arthrose [joint] is irritated [I am not allowed to use the "itus" because that makes it a diagnosis] then the - side may calm it down and improve the nerve and fluid flow. If it is stiff and cool the + side may stimulate more cellular activity and cleansing. Just as with hot and cold therapy if one is irritating or increases the pain reverse it.

Many claim that there is a polarity to the body so that to calm the shoulder the negative would be applied to the front of the left shoulder and the back of the right. For treatment up to 2 hours getting the magnet as close to the pain as possible is probably more important. If you are planing to wear the magnets full time then i would advise learning the polarities of the body.

Using magnets under foam matress

"Magnassager"

Some of the things I don't like:

* It's heavy.
* The noise can be a turn off.
* The motor end of the unit warms up quite a bit, which does not leave me at ease for continued use for longer periods of time.
and #2
The Best Thing I have ever Bought!!!!
by melodylubart ,Jun 17 '06
Pros: Best invention since sliced bread!!! Amazing!!!
Cons: There are no cons at all!!!
This unit is the best. My husband has peripheral neuropathy and it all comes from pinched nerves in his back. The Magnassager arrived yesterday. I bought it on Ebay from an authorized seller. I paid $89.95. The best investment I ever made.

I used it (using lotion) on my husband's spine, his shoulders, his calves. He went absolutely nuts. He loved it.

I used it on my sciatica. Worked great, felt great. I also have a frozen shoulder. My god, this unit is amazing. So easy, it doesn't vibrate. I hate vibrators!!!

But this unit (with the three rotating balls), well, it's so easy to use. And it made him fall immediately to sleep.

and#3 from magnet therapy doubter:
Best mechanical massage, despite magnetism hogwash
by mondesi_1998 ,Nov 27 '03
Pros: Feels almost like hands kneading your muscles
Cons: Magnetic hogwash; hurts when directly applied to bones The makers of the Magnassager make a big deal about the health benefits of magnets, but I think that is New Age rubbish. Ignore that stuff, but still consider this product. The key is that most mechanical massage products are percussive - they thump you. That might feel okay, but it isn't the same as having someone massage you with their hands. This isn't quite that good, but it is about as close as that can get. The stainless steel balls roll over you as the head of the device spins creating a kneading sensation that feels like it is loosening the knots in your muscles.

From their web site http://www.magnassager.com/pages/overview.html
Our design allows for the strength of the magnetic field to decrease to 20 gauss between each stainless steel ball. This is meant to create a variable magnetic field that shifts as the balls circle over the natural magnet and creates a pulsating effect. Since the MAGNASSAGER's three steel balls hold firmly in place by the magnetic field of our 1000 gauss magnet, yet remain structurally independent of the magnet, they roll freely over the contours of the body. During application, the magnetic strength fluctuates as the rotating magnetic plate and steel balls create an effect that could be described as a "pulsating" magnetic effect. It is the negative pulsating field that is unique to the MAGNASSAGER. We've thoughtfully designed it to be adjusted by the variable speed control, so you can decide how fast you experience feeling good.

The MAGNASSAGER is the only magnetic-massage device on the market, which utilizes this unipolar, "pulsating" magnetic field, rather than alternating (bipolar) magnetic fields. Feel the difference yourself!

My comment
Their comment about one pole of the magnet toward the body may be valid for long term steady application but I do not think it is nessesary for intermittent application as in this unit.
As stated one of the goals is a "pulsating" magnetic effect. This pulsating effect would be stronger if "The MAGNASSAGER's three 1.25" diameter stainless steel massage balls" were neodymium nickel coated magnets. On my therapist page I discuss using a sphere magnet in the palm of my hand for this purpose.
Over all impression
Very good unit. Advantages: a "pulsating" magnetic effect, kneading motion instead of vibration, broad application.
Disadvantages: Expense, weight of unit and reported "The motor end of the unit warms up" which is in the handle. Small area could not be worked as it can by using one magnetic sphere.
Recommendation:
Consider carefully the cost benefit ratio: Will you use the unit enough to justify expense? Is the area of pain smaller than the head of the unit will fit? Do you need the motorized application or can you be more effective by applying the magnetic sphere by hand?

What I use
I use an Oster hand vibrator in my work. To add magnetic kneading I put a neodymium sphere in the palm of my hand which I can role along as needed as I can feel with my fingers and heel of my hand. I was asked by a reader in the Philippines if he could use recycled magnets for therapy. The answer is yes!There is a very strong but small chevron shaped magnet in computer hard drives that is ideal because it concentrates the magnetic flux at the point of the chevron.It is a little work to disassemble them and unglue the magnet but some companies will pay to have them disassembled and the discs destroyed to prevent information theft.

If you do not get enough exercise due to pain and the magnets are properly used to reduce the pain that results from swelling in stressed muscles and joints then you may be able to burn more energy than you are taking in.

If your metabolism is not working properly because of pressure on the regulating nerves coming out of your spine then magnetic treatment of your affected area of the spine may help restore normal function. It has for me.

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