Magnetic Health Therapy - Choosing The Right Magnet
The effectiveness of magnetic health therapy depends largely on the following factors: type, grade, strength, thickness, number of magnets used, and spacing.
MAGNET TYPE:
The most powerful therapy magnets in the world are neodymium magnets. Classified as a Rare Earth magnet, neodymium magnets are considered more powerful than ceramic and the plastalloy type. To receive the greatest pain relief with magnetic health therapy, people should use unipolar magnets. They are flat-surface magnets that are magnetized along the direction of the surface. Note that horseshoe and bar magnets are not suitable for magnetic therapy application since they are magnetized at both ends of the U-shape. Because of this, we only sell unipolar magnets. Based on our experience, circular magnets have provided better results as compared to rectangular magnets.
MAGNET GRADE:
Neodymium magnets are graded by the materials they are made from. In general, the higher the grade (the number following the 'N'), the stronger the magnet. Remember, stronger magnets will be the most effective in providing pain relief. The highest grade of neodymium magnet we carry is N52, which is significantly higher than what other vendors carry.
MAGNET STRENGTH:
Magnets vary in strength. It's important to understand that stronger magnets will penetrate more deep into the injured area as compared to weaker magnets. Magnets are rated based on the intensity of the magnetic field it produces, which is measured in gauss. For instance, a typical refrigerator magnet has a surface rating of 10 gauss. Standard therapy magnets can have a surface range between 200 to 2,000 gauss. Also, the reading at the surface of the magnet is different from the reading at its core. In other words, a magnet that is 10,000 gauss at its core may have a considerably less gauss rating at its surface. Pay careful attention to this because some vendors will provide you with only the core gauss rating, which is misleading. To better understand the strength of a magnet, you will need to know the surface gauss rating as well. This is important in achieving the best results in magnetic health therapy.
MAGNET THICKNESS:
If the area you are experiencing pain is composed of a large amount of muscle mass, such as the thigh region, then you will need a magnet that is able to penetrate deeply enough to make a real difference. A strong, thick magnet will be needed to maximize pain relief. The diameter and width (thickness) of a magnet play a factor in determining its strength. Choosing a magnet with a larger diameter and greater width will produce a stronger magnetic field sufficient to penetrate deep into the injured area.
NUMBER OF MAGNETS USED:
Several magnets can be stacked for increased gauss strength and, therefore, greater effectiveness in relieving pain. The thicker the magnet, the greater the depth of penetration. Keep in mind though, by increasing magnet thickness, it will become more uncomfortable to wear. Normally, you can wear magnets up to a 1/4 of an inch thick and maintain comfort.
SPACING:
The final factor in magnetic therapy that determines effectiveness has to do with the thickness or spacing of the pad between the magnet and the skin's surface. Although most people can apply magnets directly on to their skin, some individuals may have allergies with the metal. In this situation, it is suggested that you wrap the magnet in a single layer of hypoallergenic tape or light fabric. Applying the magnet to the skin can be achieved with an adhesive tape suitable for skin applications.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
In magnetic health therapy, keep in mind that larger magnets with a low gauss rating can be stronger and penetrate more deep than smaller magnets with a higher gauss rating. For instance a .5" x .25" therapeutic magnet with a surface gauss rating of 5,230 is very strong. However, if you compare it to a larger magnet with the dimensions of 2.5" x .25" and surface gauss rating of 1,290, the larger magnet is considerably more powerful. Despite the lower gauss rating, the larger magnet is substantially stronger because of its larger diameter.
The laws of physics indicate that the strength of the magnetic field drops sharply with distance that is inversely proportional with the cube of the distance. In short, this means therapy magnets are most effective at relieving pain when placed directly on the skin. Other vendors sell magnetic therapy products that contain magnets such as back supports, wrist supports, elbow pads, knee braces and various orthotics. Due to the padding of these products, the strength of the magnets is diminished. Thus, to experience maximum penetration and greatest pain relief, one should apply therapy magnets directly on the skin so long as they do not have allergies to the metal.
MAGNET TYPE:
The most powerful therapy magnets in the world are neodymium magnets. Classified as a Rare Earth magnet, neodymium magnets are considered more powerful than ceramic and the plastalloy type. To receive the greatest pain relief with magnetic health therapy, people should use unipolar magnets. They are flat-surface magnets that are magnetized along the direction of the surface. Note that horseshoe and bar magnets are not suitable for magnetic therapy application since they are magnetized at both ends of the U-shape. Because of this, we only sell unipolar magnets. Based on our experience, circular magnets have provided better results as compared to rectangular magnets.
MAGNET GRADE:
Neodymium magnets are graded by the materials they are made from. In general, the higher the grade (the number following the 'N'), the stronger the magnet. Remember, stronger magnets will be the most effective in providing pain relief. The highest grade of neodymium magnet we carry is N52, which is significantly higher than what other vendors carry.
MAGNET STRENGTH:
Magnets vary in strength. It's important to understand that stronger magnets will penetrate more deep into the injured area as compared to weaker magnets. Magnets are rated based on the intensity of the magnetic field it produces, which is measured in gauss. For instance, a typical refrigerator magnet has a surface rating of 10 gauss. Standard therapy magnets can have a surface range between 200 to 2,000 gauss. Also, the reading at the surface of the magnet is different from the reading at its core. In other words, a magnet that is 10,000 gauss at its core may have a considerably less gauss rating at its surface. Pay careful attention to this because some vendors will provide you with only the core gauss rating, which is misleading. To better understand the strength of a magnet, you will need to know the surface gauss rating as well. This is important in achieving the best results in magnetic health therapy.
MAGNET THICKNESS:
If the area you are experiencing pain is composed of a large amount of muscle mass, such as the thigh region, then you will need a magnet that is able to penetrate deeply enough to make a real difference. A strong, thick magnet will be needed to maximize pain relief. The diameter and width (thickness) of a magnet play a factor in determining its strength. Choosing a magnet with a larger diameter and greater width will produce a stronger magnetic field sufficient to penetrate deep into the injured area.
NUMBER OF MAGNETS USED:
Several magnets can be stacked for increased gauss strength and, therefore, greater effectiveness in relieving pain. The thicker the magnet, the greater the depth of penetration. Keep in mind though, by increasing magnet thickness, it will become more uncomfortable to wear. Normally, you can wear magnets up to a 1/4 of an inch thick and maintain comfort.
SPACING:
The final factor in magnetic therapy that determines effectiveness has to do with the thickness or spacing of the pad between the magnet and the skin's surface. Although most people can apply magnets directly on to their skin, some individuals may have allergies with the metal. In this situation, it is suggested that you wrap the magnet in a single layer of hypoallergenic tape or light fabric. Applying the magnet to the skin can be achieved with an adhesive tape suitable for skin applications.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
In magnetic health therapy, keep in mind that larger magnets with a low gauss rating can be stronger and penetrate more deep than smaller magnets with a higher gauss rating. For instance a .5" x .25" therapeutic magnet with a surface gauss rating of 5,230 is very strong. However, if you compare it to a larger magnet with the dimensions of 2.5" x .25" and surface gauss rating of 1,290, the larger magnet is considerably more powerful. Despite the lower gauss rating, the larger magnet is substantially stronger because of its larger diameter.
The laws of physics indicate that the strength of the magnetic field drops sharply with distance that is inversely proportional with the cube of the distance. In short, this means therapy magnets are most effective at relieving pain when placed directly on the skin. Other vendors sell magnetic therapy products that contain magnets such as back supports, wrist supports, elbow pads, knee braces and various orthotics. Due to the padding of these products, the strength of the magnets is diminished. Thus, to experience maximum penetration and greatest pain relief, one should apply therapy magnets directly on the skin so long as they do not have allergies to the metal.
FACTORS THAT DETERMINE MAGNET STRENGTH
Magnet Composition:
Strongest therapy magnets are Neodymium
Grade of Neodymium:
Higher the grade (N) = Stronger the magnet = Maximum pain relief
Magnet Diameter:
Greater diameter = Greater strength = Maximum pain relief
Magnet Thickness (Width):
Greater thickness = Greater strength = Maximum pain relief
Surface Gauss:
Higher surface gauss rating = Greater strength = Maximum pain relief
EXPERIENCE NATURAL PAIN RELIEF WITH MAGNETIC THERAPY
