Is this voodoo science or is there actually something to it? If it's more than just a placebo, how effective is it in pain management and recovery? I've managed to give myself a bit lingering of tendonitis in my wrist and elbow from trying out the American Twist rather than going with the more conventional kick-serve. Normally I'd just hold off on playing aggressively and use and Ace bandage and some ice. HOWEVER, I do not want to be out of action for more than a 2 or 3 days because I need to continue to stay active in order to lose another 10 pounds before VJ7 (on which I'll gain 15 pounds). <img border="0" alt="[bang]" title="" src="graemlins/banghead.gif" />

Lawrence, apparently there is some history behind the use of magnets. I was suspicious when a masseusse that I use several years ago was trying to sell me a "pearl" necklace with magnets. I didn't buy, but did look into it, not for pain but for the way my tension seems to collect in my upper back/lower neck area. Once on a long drive I happened to be in a drugstore on a stop, and they had all sorts of magnets, and so I bought one of those things that fits like a collar around your neck/shoulders. It helped not a bit. But it is not an expensive trial to see if it works for you!

Lawrence,

I read a study somewhere that said it was a waste of money that there was no evidence that it did anything but create a hole in your wallet.

Hi Lawrence,
My Dad suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis, has for most of my life. He tried everything
back in the late 70s-80s, including all types of magnets and alternative health methods. The magnets did not help him one bit. I suppose it’s possible that the newer generation ones could hold some magic cure, but doubtful. Sometimes if you want them to work bad enough, they do (at least you think so)! RICE rest-ice-compression-elevation ….probably would work better.

Thanks. I guess it makes sense that the magnets don't work (after all, if they did, you would see red marks on your skin from the blood being drawn to the area because of their iron content), but it helps tremendously to get confirmation. I'll just stick with RICE.

I tried the magnets for some golf problems .THEY DID NOT WORK. Neither did some acupunture treatments. And I bought that wrist bracelet made in Mallorca which had no effect on athritic problems, but looked good to replace a gold bracelet which I lost!! Stop watching those TV commercials !!

Lawrence--

Like the others who responded, I would use ice to reduce internal swelling, applied at least three times a day, rest, and double up on ibuprufren up to 1600 mgs a day, and speak to your MD about getting a prescription for Lidoderm (tradename) for 5% Lidocaine patches. The latter are adhesive patches you apply to the affected area and leave on up to 12 hours. Although these are adhesive backed, you will also need to use surgical tape to firmly affix as they are going over joints. My pain management MD recommended these fairly new patches and they work pretty well for symptomatic relief.

(Karen, you might want Mark to try these for his back. They are not a panacea but they do provide meaningful relief.)

Good luck and best regards,

Bill

Bill, I have missed you on the board! Mark's back has been feeling the best it ever has lately, for some unexplained reason. (knock on wood)
He thinks it's because all the pain moved from his back to the toe next to his big toe :)
He went to the doc last week to see what was wrong, he said the pain was terrible and it felt like he was walking on a golf ball. It turns out, he has arthritis in his toe!

I will jot down your suggestions for the next time he has a back attack so he can mention them to his Dr.
I am glad to hear you are getting a bit of relief from your neck problems.

Lawrence:
I had another reponse than the previous people did. I broke my foot several years ago, and purchased the nice blue band with the small magnets in it. I used the magnets after the inflamation came down. When I got off of work, the pain would be there from having shoes on and when I would get home, I just wrapped it for a few hours it did work for me. It might depend on the injury, and actually the PT and MD recommended it for me. So, as we all know everyone repsonds differently to different products. Hope this helps.
Jan

Lawrence:

I haven't used magnets but chiropractor uses electrical stimulent for healing. I have to see the ol neck cracker soon so I'll ask him his opinion of magnets and will get back to you.

Cheers! Ray

Thanks Ray!

FWIW, the evidence for magnet therapy is mixed with some studies showing benefit and others not. Placebo effect also plays a major role in pain therapy as well (i.e. if you believe that it'll work, it will tend to do so). In any case, hope your wrist and elbow feel better, Lawrence ...

Masaki

Let me add to Masaki's accurate statement. I'm the world's biggest skeptic when it comes to alternative medicine. To me, that phrase means untested, unproven, and possibly unsafe. That said, I asked my rheumatologist, another highly skeptical person about these sorts of things and he did in fact note that there are some studies, legitimate studies I might add, that showed some effect. That said, he (and I) believe that more standard medical solutions should be pursued first.

Lawrence:

I just left my chiropractor and asked him about magnets and he said that he has seen surprising results with patients that have used them. Apparently one chap had a painful ankle sprain and within a few days the swelling and discoleration was greatly reduced.

This being said, he does not enthusiastically recommend magnets but sees no harm in them either.

It is just not something his practice deals with.

As info.

Cheers! Ray

Thanks for the update Ray.