[mrsD]

I've used magnets for over a decade now. I don't use them everyday...but only for severe episodes. I've used them on my right knee (first applications), my broken toe, my ankles, my back, over the years, and on my fingers now and then.

Every year or so I search on Google, and there are always new products coming out. Use the keyword search: Medical Magnets

You'll find several links to start with in this thread, and many more.

Here is what I have sent to others for basic information. I just checked the links and they are still active.
Most are just "examples". Medical magnets continue to appear on the net. This info I compiled in Nov 08.

The bottom line is high gauss (very strong) are the best, and the South pole toward the body blocks the pain. North may stimulate nerves. These are called neodymium magnets. One side is S and one N.

http://www.health-science-spirit.com/magnet.html

This is a pretty good explanation of how they work. There are very inexpensive sites out there, with some very powerful magnets. Strong is what you really need.
But strong needs to be used wisely....do not use if you have a pacemaker, do not wear near computers, will set off airport scanners, I don't use them near the eyes or heart.
Things like that. Given what is happening with the new hybrid cars lately, and their computer controls, I would not wear the magnets driving either. The ones I use are very very strong and may affect the operation of the car--who knows these days?

The downside to buying cheap magnets is that they are not marked according to polarity as a rule.
The first site gives hints on how to know which is N and which is S. With strong magnets you can also tell by putting them on. I don't have good effects with N towards the skin.
It stimulates nerves for me, and may increase pain. If placed over a painless spot like behind the knee, I'll get an uncomfortable buzzing. But when the S is placed where I have my pain, it changes it..and over days, it can get rid of it even.
I used the smaller magnets 1/2 inch neodymiums on my knee over 10 yrs ago. They cost $30 a pair! Now I have 1 inchers I bought online about 2 yrs ago that cost $1 each!
http://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=DE2

and
http://www.rare-earth-magnets.com/c-9-disc-magnets.aspx
(I would go with either of the bottom two choices....the very bottom is thicker but much stronger).

My podiatrist uses magnets and was surprised when I told her I did too-- (I had a broken toe and used it for pain). She suggests putting either moleskin or tape on the S side that goes towards the skin, since some people get a "magnet burn" or rash from the nickel. It is sort of a raised itchy spot. There are other ways to keep the metal away from the skin, and some companies charge alot for that.
http://www.magneticarts.net/medical.html

http://www.123ezpainrelief.com/neo.html

http://www.magneticarts.net/mag_patch_research.html

So I think for experimental purposes, I'd go with the cheapest easiest ones, and experiment. If this needs long term exposure, and you like the results you get, you can then spring for a more expensive version.
http://www.whatareneodymiummagnets.com/safety.html

I use a medical tape I get at WalMart, to make them stick...the clear tape with holes in it.
I use 3 pieces in a star pattern to keep it on. I don't need these large very strong magnets for very long...they are so much better than the 1/2 inch ones I used to use!
I find that if I wear them for long periods I sometimes get lightheaded... dizzy. I don't know why...but I have inner ear problems anyway, and these must stimulate the nerve in my left ear which is damaged. Brian here on PN has never become dizzy with his, that I know of. So that might be a unique thing for me.

Many people laugh at magnets...some doctors think it is placebo. But I don't ...I know they work. One just needs to use them correctly. A while back some magnets were sold thru Walgreens' etc and they we called Nikkon...they were very weak and useless--they were black and iron and about 800 gauss (compared to 10,000 gauss of the neodymiums which are rare earth elements). People remember those, and have no idea about NOW.

I had a great article from NY times, but it just was taken off the web: Her is another similar:
http://energy-healing.suite101.com/a...or_pain_relief

And here is a meta analysis of many papers about static magnets:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18818562

So one can see that it is not really laughable anymore.

In fact the FDA has just approved a magnet device for the head, to treat difficult depression!

This is the new website for MagnaBloc magnets. They are the premier ones, and I wonder if the 4 combined smaller neos with mixed poles is actually needed. I get such good results from my single mega strong 1 incher.
But here is their website:
http://www.quadrabloc.com/

They are the form researched at Vanderbilt University. And I saw a Dateline TV program about them many years ago where a young man had huge pain in his abdomen, and no one could find a cause (like appendicitis etc) and he recovered quickly by using these magnets, one on each side of his lower back!
The website is pretty interesting, but they are expensive as you'd expect.

Placement of high gauss magnets is similar to that of Lidoderm patches. This post of mine discusses placement to hit the major nerves:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread118240.html
Here is a 3D link showing nerve distributions for placement:
http://www.healthline.com/human-body...eg-vessels#4/1
Interrupting a nerve path, before it gets to the spine, is the best way
to use magnets. The new very strong ones don't have to be worn all day long either, I have found. About 20 minutes a day works for me.

If you need further advice, please send me a PM.

The Quadrabloc website also has a section devoted to placement. So interested readers can check that one out too.
They have specific placement patterns based on the polarity of their mixed magnets.

This is a pretty complex subject, and really I think the most benefit can come to people with specific targets for their pain.
Diffuse symptoms, like burning all over, or generally burning feet, may not respond. But if you have had an EMG that targets a specific nerve as your problem, then you can find a way to place a magnet for that type of pain.

Since some magnets are so inexpensive, a few dollars, some here may want to try them. Read the safety information about pacemakers, implanted devices, computers, cars, etc before using them at all. Keep them away from small children who may swallow them.

This thread is for any questions, or additional comments. Don't hesitate to ask.