The Use of Magnetic Bracelets and Magnetic Therapy For Back Pain

MAGNETIC THERAPY AND BACK PROBLEMS
Back Problems Are Common
Back problems are extremely common. One in five of us will suffer back pain severe enough to take time off work at some point in our lives. One in three will receive treatment ranging from drugs to some form of physical therapy. Back pain is a major cause of ill health, and absence from work.

Typical Causes
Many people can damage their backs in accidents, sporting injuries, lifting heavy loads or even just by poor posture. Damage can also be caused by degenerative disease, by malformation of the bones or simply by growing old. Doctors try to diagnose the pain anatomically as a skeletal, muscular or nerve problem. Back problems can be acute, that is of recent onset, often with strong pain. A chronic case is of longer duration, with more dull type pain, or sometimes strong. In terms of treatment, the main stay of the Western Medical approach will be drugs, physiotherapy or surgery, or combinations of these. It must also be mentioned that some back pain can be the result of other conditions, for example kidney illness or pelvic disease.

Difficulty of Diagnosis
It is true to say that in many cases of back pain; no obvious cause can be identified. Although Western doctors have a detailed understanding of the anatomical structure of the back, it is a different matter to accurately diagnose a back problem. The back is highly complex, and the origin and cause of pain is not fully understood. It can be very difficult to locate the exact source of pain. Some studies estimate that 85% of patients with back pain do not receive a specific diagnosis for the cause of their pain. Without a specific diagnosis, the treatment plan can be a hit or miss process.

People with No Back Pain Can Still Have Back Pathology!
The situation is further complicated by research that has studied people with no back pain. These studies indicate that for people who do not suffer pain, there can be quite significant pathological changes. For example 20% of people under the age of 60 have slipped discs without symptoms, 30-60% of those under the age 35 have some degree of lumbar disc degeneration, again with no symptoms. These findings indicate that pathological changes may just be part of growing old and do not necessarily indicate pain or the cause of pain.

Complementary Approaches are Valid
In summary it seems fair to say that the orthodox medical approach does not fully understand all the various components and causes of back pain. The diagnosis and treatment of back pain is not an exact science, and can in fact be quite hit and miss. It is perfectly valid therefore, to explore other complementary approaches, particularly if these approaches to pain relief cause no harm and have no side effects, and have increasing anecdotal and scientific evidence to support them. This is where other treatment techniques such as bio magnetic therapy and acupuncture can step in and contribute towards a successful therapeutic outcome. Our advice is to try the complementary approach, but it is always wise to consult with your doctor on any medical condition you may have, in this way you will have all angles covered.

PAIN MANAGEMENT FOR BACK PROBLEMS
USING MAGNET THERAPY

The Back Wrap…
The Back Wrap is an excellent product and a good initial strategy for many types of chronic low back pain. The Back Wrap offers lumbar support, comfort and magnetic therapy all at once. It can be used at home, at work, or whilst participating in sports activities. It is made of light neoprene material, one-size-fits-all with Velcro fastening. The Back Wrap can be worn for extended periods at a time, even at night. See below for other ways of using the Back Wrap. ....Visit our online shop for further details of this product

Dot Neodymium Magnets…
The Gold Neodymium Dot magnets are Ľ inch in diameter and are 6000 - 9000 Gauss. They are attached in the same way as a plaster, are used singularly or in batches. They are often used on body areas where larger magnets are difficult to fit. They can be used almost anywhere on the body. The Dots are also used on acupuncture points as an alternative to acupuncture needles. The magnets are permanent and can be used over and over again. They can be left in place for days at a time. When the adhesives eventually run out, you may replace with surgical tape (available from the chemist). The North Pole faces the skin. ....Visit our online shop for further details of this product

Pain Management Strategies and Techniques Using Magnets
Chronic Low Back Pain – A good initial strategy for many types of chronic low back pain is the Back Wrap. The magnets in the wrap cover a good size area over the lower back and so gently and gradually help ease any general aches. It should also help with early morning stiffness. This Back Wrap can be worn for long periods and even at night. As an alternative to the Back Wrap, the Therapy Block can be used to help alleviate back pain. Use the blue north facing side to the skin for short intensive treatments. Start out with 30-minute treatment sessions with a maximum overall use of two hours in any 24-hour period. If you back pain is particularly severe you may need to use the boosting techniques discussed in the acute flare- up section below.

Acute Flare-ups – Increasing the magnetic strength of your treatment can help painful acute episodes. If you are using the Back Wrap you can actually place the round Neodymium inside the Wrap at the location where the pain is the most severe. This will boost the magnetic therapy at that location. The Neodymium should attach itself to the other magnets on the Back Wrap; the north facing green side of the Neodymium should face the skin. Alternatively you can use the Therapy Block Magnet with its deeper penetration to help reduce the flare-up.

Sciatic Type Pain – As sciatic pain often originates from the spinal region, combining a lower back treatment using the Back Wrap or Therapy Block magnet, with a magnetic treatment located at the other sites of pain, for example at the back or side of the leg, can be beneficial. Again north facing magnets are recommended.

Spinal Disc Problems – Place a magnet, like the round Neodymium, to the side of the painful area on the spine. Sometimes experimentation is required to find the best location of the magnet for maximum pain relief, it can be above to the side or below. An alternative approach is to use the Dot Neodymium's either side of the problem area; several dot magnets can be used to cover the area.

Other Pain Management Tips and Techniques

Take Breaks From Treatment - It is a good idea to take breaks from the bio magnetic treatment. This stops the body from building up a resistance to the magnets. After a few weeks of treatment have a break for a few days to see what the difference is, and then restart. Experiment.

Stress and Anxiety - Associated with severe or long-term pain, there can often be anxiety and stress. This in itself contributes further to the pain and distress of the individual, and so starts a viscous cycle. The cycle needs to be broken. One way of doing this is combining a relaxation technique with the bio magnetic therapy. An example of this is to find a comfortable position lying down or sitting, playing some relaxing music, or your favourite relaxation technique tape, and applying the bio magnetic therapy. At the beginning of the relaxation session you can add in a gentle breathing exercise, breath in slowly for a count of five, then breath out for a count of five, do this for five or ten minutes, do not hold your breath. Twenty to thirty minutes is a good overall session time. Repeating this exercise daily is the key to success.

How long does it Take For the Magnets to Work? – With some people results are very rapid, literally within minutes, in others it may take a couple of weeks. We are all individuals with different strengths and weaknesses. The severity of the complaint also varies from person to person. Some people may have had a back problem for six months other 25 years. The way we respond will be different.

Plan Ahead for Those Possible Flare-ups - If you know the types of activities that can trigger a back pain episode, then maybe you can plan ahead to reduce the worse effects of the episode. It could be shopping, a spell in the garden, walking, a sporting event or driving the car. One technique for this is to give your-self additional magnetic therapy before the event. This may involve wearing the Back Wrap (if you have not been using it recently), or using the Therapy Block. This treatment can be carried out even if you have no pain, as the magnets will help prepare and condition the back for the extra demand placed on it. This technique is used by some sportsmen who use magnets as a type of additional warm-up before the sporting event.

Use Different Magnet Combinations as part of Your Strategy - As discussed previously, different magnetic products can be used separately or in combination depending on the circumstances.

Experimentation - As mentioned above we are all individuals with different characteristics and back pain problems. Responses to bio magnetic therapy can therefore vary. A degree of experimentation may be required to find out how much therapy we may need, the best location of the magnets, the frequency of treatment and best combination of magnets. Although it is always best to start simple.

Whole Body Treatments - One such approach is sleeping on a magnetic mattress and pillow. A large area of the body will then receiving magnetic therapy while you sleep. Drinking magnetised water is another way of treating the whole body.

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