Magnets

[Graham]

Do any of you use magnetic wrist bands or the like for any reason?
I have been looking into the subject since we got our dog a magnetic collar to help with his arthritis (vets recommendation), the effects were almost instant, though not miraculous (he is 14 1/2 after all).
I was very sceptical of the whole thing, but I am now having second thoughts, my logic being that blood could easily be affected by a magnetic field, being composed largely of an iron based compound.
I was advised by a friend that bipolar (I suspect he means something along the lines of a toroid) magnets were the way to go yet on the web I found a site that says exactly the opposite.

What are your experiences/opinions?



G

[kenyg]

Well, not magnets, but my wife & brother-in-law swear that copper bracelets help


don't know if there's any real facts to suppor either.


Ken

[thekingofpain]

Have a look here: http://www.quackwatch.com/04Consumer...QA/magnet.html

[Jonty]

Never worn a magnetic bracelet so can't help you there.

However my car wears one!

It's true, back in the 80's I bought this thing called a petrol saver and it is in the form of a doughnut shaped strong magnet covered in rubber. The petrol pipe goes through the hole and the magnet is tightly clamped as near to the carburettor as possible, not too tight obviously. It is supposed to alter the polarity of the molecules in the petrol so that they burn better so using less petrol. I think it does help a little in fact with saving petrol.

[Warthog]

It's all psychological, IMHO.

All in your head.

[Ed_S]

My wife used 'em & said they help. I was - and am - sceptical, but at her urging tried some "magnadots" on my ankle, which has been a major problem for years, to the point of nerve surgery 1.5 yrs ago.
Still don't know that I believe in 'em, but I know this - placed correctly, the pain is less. Don't know why, or how. Might be pyschological, but then why would exact placement make a difference? And I mean exact, 1/4 inch off and nothing happens. I only use them when it's bad, and then it'll take a few trys to find the "spots" again. BTW, it takes hours before you can tell if it's right or not.

My doctor, a "hot-stuff" nerve surgeon, says there is still a lot about the human body that they don't know and that it is possible that magnets have value, that studies were inconclusive. (at least then, almost two yrs ago) Wouldn't have mattered to me what the studies showed, as I would not believe studies done by those in the medical field anyway. Why would someone whose large income depends on patients admit that a $12 one time purchase would help???

Regardless of why they help, be it real or imagined, I'll continue using them when it's bad.

[kendo]

it is interesting to note how far that magnetism is pushed as a "medical remedy" the facts are easy to ascertain and they in no way indicate that there is any benefit whatsoever in using magnets for therapy of any kind. James Randi noted magician, scambuster, and investigator of the pseudoscientific claims made by manufacturers of these type of remedies has posted many studies done about how useless magnets are for this.

quote:

"These claims are not only unproven, but the statements are gobbledygook. So-called magnetic therapy is “well-established” quackery, not only in the Orient and Europe, but here in the USA. There is zero evidence for the effects claimed about the diseases named, most especially hip dysplasia, which is a hereditary problem that can only be treated by radical surgery, and even then not very effectively. The “crossing magnetic waves” claim is absolute nonsense, both scientifically and logically. And there is no heat generated whatsoever."

his site is entertaining and interesting for those with a scientific bent of mind. run a search for magnet on his page and you will find all kinds of interesting quackery on the subject. Scientifically sound and proven methods are used to arrive at the conclusions presented well worth reading. He even goes into why people believe these things work despite solid evidence to the contrary.
IMO

http://www.randi.org/jr/07-09-2000.html

ken

[big_buick]

i've known 2 people who wear them.. one guy i used to work with had a bad ankle so he had one there.. another friend of the family is like magneto <sp>, wrist band, necklace, back support belt. all have magnets..they both say they work

[Warthog]

Well, still think it's all mental

[AuraEdge]

My moms in this Japanese based company (I think) called Nikken, which basically, from what she tells me, brough the alternative therapy by magnets to america and made it spread.

Magnets are supposed to work by increasing blood flow through the veins and arteries. If the blood flow is increased, regeneration is faster, and pain is lessened because good tissue is rebuilt faster. The faster circulation also means that temperatures are warmer there, and more nutrients there, which should help with healing.

She had, at one point, basically lined my room with magnets, since shes such a big believer in it (and believe it or not, shes not one of the new age type people, shes actually a traditional medical doctor, an Anesthesiologist thats in the OR all the time). I'm a big skeptic, and still am. I wont vouch for one side or the other. I used to have a bedmat on top of my matress, which ive told her I dont want anymore because it was kind of hard compared to my matress, and I couldnt use my laptop on my bed because of the magnets and the harddrive and stuff. She gave this whole "firm is good because it means more support" talk, but I like a soft inviting place to sleep, or else I wont sleep. Also, since I'm a big computer guy, and magnets are the antithesis of computers (Keep magnets away from all monitors, floppys and harddrives!), I've slowly pushed all the magnetic stuff out of my room.

I'm a pretty healthy guy to begin with (I get sick about once a year) so I cant really tell the difference. However, as soon as mom finds out I'm sick, she'll start telling me to strap magnets on me. I just do it because I'm just sick of being sick when I'm sick, and if it doesnt work, oh well, and if it helps, then great.

Warthog - You think Graham's dog knew its collar has magnets in it and thought away it's arthritis? People, its one thing, but animal, there is no psychological effect. Its either happens or it doesnt.

There isnt much proof in this field. I did a research paper last year on traditional allopathic medicine (surgery, antibiotics, chemotherapy) versus complementary alernative medicine (homeopathy, magnets, chiropractic work), and I found that a adequate sized controlled study hasnt been done with magnets, let alone a double blind study. Its a new thing, and probably wont be proved/disproved for a while because its affects are not meant to be the "magic bullet" type of treatment that asprin or surgery is, but rather a long term effect, and a study on this would take a while in order to find enough variation in the groups.

I'm a skeptic still, but it cant hurt, thats for sure; not like those flowery ads with old people running through a field with elevator music while they run off, in a cheery voice, a list of deadly side effects that might befall you if you take this medication.