The opposite pole often is stimulating. Many magnets are not marked so you have to experiment yourself.

Test on an intact nerve. I do it on the back of my knee, where the stimulating pole will cause a buzzing sensation. The calming pole will not.

I have a book that vacillates back and forth on this subject...which pole to use. So I found that confusing. The bottom line is whichever works is the one to do.

You have to have a really strong one too. At least an inch across and neodymium type.

I find these convenient and efficient. They were not available back when I started using magnets:

http://www.amazon.com/Neodymium-Magn...2569441&sr=8-1

Also available on Ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Neodymium-...item1c1ee8b298

These do not shatter, or corrode. I find I only need mine on an area for about 20 minutes...not all day.

You cannot use if you have any implanted electronic medical devices, like spinal stimulators, or heart pacemakers, etc.