Nikons are what I have. There are three of those things. I bought them on eBay still in the original box and they look like they have never been used. But there weren't any instructions in the box. They are the original Nikon magnets and very strong. So they have sat for about a year now. As soon as I can take the bandage off my back from the last set of injections (to the facets) that didn't work, I'll be trying them for awhile. Thanks Brian and Bob for the help.

It would be nice if I could get one area to quit hurting.

Billye

billye.....was your MRI standing or lying?.....

It was lying down. I've never seen one where it was done standing. Wow!

Every one I've ever had done was done in a tube with me flat on my back.

Billye

Billye,

I've been thinking about your response to the suggestion that cold may help your back pain if inflammation is part of the problem. Heat or other energy is contraindicated where inflammation is present. It may actually increase inflammation and make the swelling and muscle spasming worse. Without knowing for sure, I'd guess that a strong magnetic field would have the same negative effect if inflammation is present.

The pain reducing, swelling reducing, and healing effect of cold packs can be dramatic. I was a serious recreational runner and backpacker for about 20 years and had my share of injuries, aches, and pains. Ice packs were the first thing I used for instant pain relief and quick healing.

Cold can't hurt you, and may dramatically help. Cold promotes healing because it increases blood flow while it reduces spasms and inflammation. At the same time, pain is reduced because cold shuts down the nerves in the area. I found that if inflammation was involved in the pain, the cold felt good after the initial shock. To reduce the initial cold shock, wrap the ice pack in a single or double layer dish towel when first applying.

For safety, don't use the blue cold packs you put in the freezer. If your freezer is, let's say -10 F. degrees, you can get frostbite. Safer, cheaper, and gentler are ice packs you make yourself. Fill a quart size clear plastic freezer bag 3/4 full with ice cubes. Add some water to make a nice semi-floppy containter that will conform to your body shape. The water mixed in prevents any possibility of frost bite because it rapidly warms the ice cubes to exactly 32 F. degrees. Double bag the pack to prevent leaks, and enjoy for 20 minutes on, 20 off, then 20 on again. The pain reduction should occur within minutes as the cold moves deeper. The area will feel cool to the touch but you'll experience warmth and comfort in the area as soon as it is totally cooled down, and when you remove the pack. The pain relief will last for hours, or even all day.

If this works on you as good for you as it does for me, ice packs will become your first line defense for inflamatory pain.

billye, there is a stand up mri near me. ( dfw area ) i can pm you the name and the address if you want it. i drive past it taking lil'monkey to the ortho.

Thanks David for all the info about cold packs. I will certainly try them. And it makes since that the magnets might be a problem when there is inflammation involved. I'll report back in. (probably more than you want to hear)

Curious...I've pm'd you. Thanks so much. I didn't even know these things existed.

Billye

Silverlady--

My mri and xray reports are similar to yours, inasmuch as the xrays are read with great detail to findings in bone, while the mri emphasizes the cord, disks, and nerves. I'm not sure, but I think the reason for this might be that the Xray ONLY sees the bone, and that's what the radiologist is going to focus on in the report. The MRIs are usually done to see if there is herniated disk or pressure on a nerve root, and that's what the radiologists pay attention to there. I googled MRI vs CT (CT uses regular xrays and MRI vs XRAY didn't get results) and, sure enough, CT is used for bone and MRI for soft tissue as well as bone. For some things, CT is preferred (looking at the sinuses, for instance).

Why were regular xrays done on you? Usually, they aren't done much anymore, except maybe to look for fractures. Seems to me that most people I know either get CT scans or MRIs. My doctors do regular xrays of my spine to look for slippage of one vertebrae over the other--the spondylolithesis that was the probably RESULT of arthritis, and CAUSE of the spinal cyst which was the probable cause of much of my pn.

I know I've asked before, but pardon, I don't remember the answer---have you had bending xrays?

David, mate magnets will decrease inflamation, thats why they work so well with people with arthritic problems.
for example - i will be facing hip surgery very soon, the orthoapedic surgeon had previously orderded steriod injections into my hip to decrease the inflamation whilst waiting for surgery, because its bone on bone now, it is bad and the steriods really helped but the benefits didn't last for very long, this is crippling pain i am talking about, anyone thats had hip surgery will know what i am taking about, so in desperation i thought i would try some really strong magnets in my groin area and other accupunture points usally used for hip pain hoping to relieve some pain at least.
I put them on before i went to bed and in the morning i was walking with no pain whats so ever, i couldn't believe it myself, and i will continue to wear them until the operation is done, sure beats those drugs that have some awfull side affects.
all the best
Brian
I wish i had shares in Magnet companies

Brian,

What are mate magnets? A google search turned up nothing. Do you have links to research and/or vendors? Are they safe? How long have you been using the magnets and how often?

As far as safety, I'll stick with the idea that if it's not obviously toxic like a drug and it feels good and relieves pain, it probably is safe and healing.
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How funny! I just realized that you were speaking Aussie.

So, I'll change my questions. What type of magnets do you use and how powerful? You mentioned a low price. Do you have a link to the vendor? We all could use practical, specific advice with something that's worked for one of us. Thanks mate.

check your pm box. i hope it's not too far for you.