The Power of Magnets to heal - my personal story...

originally posted by: GetHyped
Would you mind explaining what methodological issues you have with randomized double blind placebo control studies?

This wasn't directed at me, but I'll bite...

I don't have methodological issues (is there just one? I don't think so) as much as two other problems...

First is the camp that likes to claim that if there aren't any supporting claim XYZ, then claim XYZ 'must be' false - sorry, but this is a classic non-sequitur.

Second is the apparent refusal by many to admit that lots of these 'gold standard' studies are later proven to have problems - sometimes due to faulty methodology, sometimes due to mistakes - and yes, sometimes due to fraud.

I'll ask you a question: how many prescription medications that had plenty of 'gold standard' support (randomized double-blind placebo controlled studies) 'proving' efficacy have been pulled from the market with large class action lawsuits leading to huge settlements?

a reply to: tanstaafl

I'll take proper clinical trials over unsubstantiated testimonials on the internet any day of the week.

originally posted by: tanstaafl

originally posted by: GetHyped
Would you mind explaining what methodological issues you have with randomized double blind placebo control studies?

First is the camp that likes to claim that if there aren't any supporting claim XYZ, then claim XYZ 'must be' false - sorry, but this is a classic non-sequitur.

Perhaps. However, there have been numerous tests on magnetics and their purported 'healing' properties, and all have come up with no discernable positive results.

While it is indeed wrong to claim absence of evidence as evidence of absence, it is equally wrong (and in my opinion much more so) to claim something as true when there is substantial evidence to the contrary.

a reply to: tanstaafl

Very interesting account, I was very surprised to read how quickly the magnets worked on your first trial.
Two explanations come to mind, either as already mentioned it was the Placebo effect, or the magnets were having an effect on your nervous system in some way. Just because you weren't expecting any results from the magnets doesn't mean the Placebo effect couldn't have kicked in though, and if it was that, well it's still amazing really...

If the magnets were having a direct effect I'd imagine it would be on the nerve currents in your spine, magnetic fields do effect electricity after all, so perhaps there is something going on as yet unexplained?

Glad you got better

originally posted by: GetHyped
a reply to: tanstaafl

I'll take proper clinical trials over unsubstantiated testimonials on the internet any day of the week.

Objection: non-responsive.

Oh - and I'll take being pain free over lack of 'proper clinical trials' all day, every day.

I developed carpal tunnel during my first pregnancy. It's never gone away and gets worse during subsequent pregnancies (all the extra fluid). I only recently found out that the chiropractor can pop my wrists to make it a little better. But I swear to God, copper bracelets with magnets in them help! I'm not talking braided copper wire...I'm talking 1/2" thick shackle bracelets with magnets on each link. Nothing gets rid of it completely. And it's not just placebo effect. I can actually feel a difference from when I'm wearing the bracelets and when I'm not.

Just a tip if you suffer from carpal tunnel.

originally posted by: AdmireTheDistance

originally posted by: tanstaafl

originally posted by: GetHyped
Would you mind explaining what methodological issues you have with randomized double blind placebo control studies?

First is the camp that likes to claim that if there aren't any supporting claim XYZ, then claim XYZ 'must be' false - sorry, but this is a classic non-sequitur.

Perhaps. However, there have been numerous tests on magnetics and their purported 'healing' properties, and all have come up with no discernable positive results.

While it is indeed wrong to claim absence of evidence as evidence of absence, it is equally wrong (and in my opinion much more so) to claim something as true when there is substantial evidence to the contrary.

It depends... when said 'evidence' is sourced (directly, or through funding) from those in a position to be harmed financially by positive outcomes, I will always view said evidence with many grains of salt.

My problem is not with science per se, it is with the corruption of science in the name of the almighty dollar - and yes, I freely admit there are lots of people in the 'natural/alternative' camp guilty of the same thing.

As to studies about magnets - there aren't that many relevant to what we are discussing that I've ever found, but I distinctly remember reading one that used store bought refrigerator magnets, claiming there was no difference between these and the rare earth 'super' magnets - which automatically invalidates said study. Apologies, but I looked and can't find the link...

Imnsho, most of the 'studies' of natural therapies - meaning, therapies that cannot be patented and sold for billions - are nothing more than hit pieces, funded by those who have the most to lose should positive outcomes be forthcoming.

Anyone who honestly believes that companies with billions in profits at stake won't stoop to falsifying studies to protect and expand said profits is living in a dream world. I wish it wasn't true, but, well... reality 'is'.

originally posted by: ladyvalkyrie
I developed carpal tunnel during my first pregnancy. It's never gone away and gets worse during subsequent pregnancies (all the extra fluid). I only recently found out that the chiropractor can pop my wrists to make it a little better. But I swear to God, copper bracelets with magnets in them help! I'm not talking braided copper wire...I'm talking 1/2" thick shackle bracelets with magnets on each link. Nothing gets rid of it completely. And it's not just placebo effect. I can actually feel a difference from when I'm wearing the bracelets and when I'm not.

Just a tip if you suffer from carpal tunnel.

Something someone into Yoga told me once as a way to manage carpal tunnel...

Lie down on your stomach, and place your hands next to your body, then turn your hands outwards, palms down, and slide them under your legs/thighs, and hold this position for as long as you can, or a max of 5 minutes...

Supposedly hurts at first (I don't have carpal tunnel, but I tried it and it was pretty uncomfortable), but he said it provides pretty quick relief, and the more often you do it, the longer it lasts. He didn't say if he'd ever heard of anyone claiming this 'cured' them, but he said everyone he'd told about that actually tried it more than just once for a minute got relief.

I'd be very interested to hear from anyone who tries this as to whether or not it works. I've told a few people here about it, but none of them apparently were willing to try it (I asked hem to let me know one way or another if hey did, and when asked later, they all said they didn't).

originally posted by: tanstaafl


His next words were devastating. He said that I would be living the rest of my life under 'pain management'.

Did you get a second opinion from your dentist? That isn't a call a Chiropractor is qualified to make.

The timeline you give is normal for a disc to heal to heal on its own. Feeling better one day and normal the next is how it goes with bulging discs.

Thank you for posting.. I have used magnets on myself and, more telling, on my horses in the past. I always felt relief with them but thought it might be the placebo effect, but in my opinion, they absolutely helped the horses and they weren't aware of any 'hoped for outcomes' like I may have been. Some people will argue, 'well, your horses picked up on your expectation that they would work so they got better..' Whatever. Just 2 examples; Horse with chronic back pain, 2 days of applying magnetic blanket, he's going round, soft, and forward and is not cranky or tight being saddled. Different horse; Intermittent lameness unaffected by vet treatments , 1 day of magnetic wrap, not limping. You tell me.
Thanks for reminding me about them, my mother has been suffering with terrible back pain and has had numerous injections and 2 MAJOR surgeries. We have been dealing with her current issue for over a year and they now want to implant a spinal pain control device (it's friggin huge). If I can get the money together I'm going to try this kit for her. Thank you

originally posted by: tanstaafl
One of the things that stuck with me was the claim by the older gentleman that put on the seminar was the title of his presentation: 'Magnets can cure, and magnets can kill.'.

What about the "magnets can kill" part of the seminar?

originally posted by: ConnectDots

originally posted by: tanstaafl
One of the things that stuck with me was the claim by the older gentleman that put on the seminar was the title of his presentation: 'Magnets can cure, and magnets can kill.'.

What about the "magnets can kill" part of the seminar?

Well, you get your head between two really big neodymiums and let them go...it's not pretty.

a reply to: tanstaafl

You should really take a look at what the Keshe Foundation is doing as they use a kind of plasmatic magnetic field to heal the body. These can be self made into a pen or pad. He is sharing this new knowledge and understanding of this revolutionary physics freely for the planet.

originally posted by: Freeyourchains
...a kind of plasmatic magnetic field

They left out some cool words like 'quantum' and 'Tesla'. If you're going to aggregate words that don't make sense when used together, why not spice it up even more?

Well a magnetic back pad worked for me, I had severe back pain from over lifting heavy items, the pain was getting so bad I could barley walk. When I went to the doctor they confirmed it with x-rays, they even gave me a note for work so I wouldn't have to lift heavy stuff. Then I read magnets had helped some people, so bought a magnet pad used that for a while and healed my back, no more pain. Then about 8 years later I re-injured my back, this time I researched the best magnetic brace on the market and ordered it, I wore it for a whole year, then I took it off pain free again.

So you all you naysayers, you don't know, this isn't just some placebo effect, magnets increase blood circulation and also reduce inflammation, I don't think it can work on every problem, but it did on mine, twice.

originally posted by: anton74

originally posted by: tanstaafl


His next words were devastating. He said that I would be living the rest of my life under 'pain management'.

Did you get a second opinion from your dentist? That isn't a call a Chiropractor is qualified to make.

Thanks for the sarcasm... but I guess I can understand seeing as I apparently left a detail out of my OP (sorry about that).

Anyway, no, I didn't get a second opinion from my dentist, but he (my Chiro) - whom I trust - did consult with two doctors he has relationships with for these kinds of things. Admittedly they aren't spinal surgeons, but they have lots of experience with spinal injuries, and he was provided written opinions from them, after which he gave me the news.

My chiro is also treating numerous patients with less serious injuries than mine (he said on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the worst he's ever seen, mine was a solid 9), some of whom had surgery and it made their problems worse, and they had been dealing with theirs for years.

The timeline you give is normal for a disc to heal to heal on its own. Feeling better one day and normal the next is how it goes with bulging discs.

Are you forgetting that the pain returned multiple times, and every time, the magnets took care of it?

I get that some of you are terminal naysayers, and I'm sorry for you, because you will never be able to benefit from things that may be able to help you should you ever find yourself in need.

originally posted by: ConnectDots

originally posted by: tanstaafl
One of the things that stuck with me was the claim by the older gentleman that put on the seminar was the title of his presentation: 'Magnets can cure, and magnets can kill.'.

What about the "magnets can kill" part of the seminar?

It has to do with the polarity of the magnets.

North pole energy (I'm using the term 'energy' just to describe the effect, no clue what it really is that provides the 'effect') is what provides the anti-inflammatory - he also called it a 'calming' - effect.

South pole energy, on the other hand, can stimulate inflammation, and when he said 'kill'. said it in relation to dangerously speeding up the growth of cancer and certain other diseases.

So, what he was saying was it is the mis-use of magnets can kill, under certain conditions - ie, someone self-treating, using south pole energy for cancer, vs north pole energy.

Normally you should use the north pole (negative) polarity towards the body, but there are certain cases - ie, treatment of whiplash in my case - where you selectively use south pole energy to create a more effective flow of energy (or whatever it is the magnets are doing).

originally posted by: Bedlam

originally posted by: Freeyourchains
...a kind of plasmatic magnetic field

They left out some cool words like 'quantum' and 'Tesla'. If you're going to aggregate words that don't make sense when used together, why not spice it up even more?

Bedlam, you've made it clear you think the use of magnets is woo-woo, we get it, please go bother someone else's thread.

a reply to: tanstaafl

I'll bookmark this tip. But there's no way I could possibly try it now. My belly is ginormous! The chiropractor specializes in pregnant women and has a special pillow with a big hole in it.

I do know really good stretches for shin splints, sciatica and lower back pain. So it's possible that a good stretch can fix a lot of things, you just have to figure out exactly what to do and how to do it.

a reply to: tanstaafl

Brilliant story. I believe magnets are the way of the future.