By Richard Dean Jenkins

Magnetic fields work much more quickly and effectively than heat, infrared light, anti-inflammatory drugs, trigger-point injections or microwave diathermy. It's likely to be four or six months before an injured skier or other athlete is back in play again from the conventional treatment of ice, followed by heat to reduce swelling. Heat alone will not stimulate therapeutic repair of injured tissue or muscle. An ample supply of nutrient-rich blood is needed. Healing requires resumption of normal blood flow to the injured site, not simply pain relief. In magnetic therapy, knee braces can be removed more quickly; weightlifters can reduce lower back pain; sciatica (inflammation of sciatic nerve running down the hip and thigh) and carpal tunnel syndrome can be relieved.

Osteopathic physician Sanford Paul, Mercerville NJ, is convinced of the effectiveness of magnetic therapy. "Though I use conventional medical methods I find that the application of biomagnets has helped in some difficult traumatic-injury cases. I feel that biomagnets should be part of the total armamentarium of future physicians," he says. However, "Unless used properly, their value is no greater than that of a regular magnet."

Orthopedic chiropractor Kurt Vreeland, White River Junction, Vermont, physician for the U.S. Olympic ski jumping team, uses magnets for ski and other injuries. "I have used magnets with good results on everything from rotator cuff injuries to what they used to call in football 'hip-pointer'.

Source: Fitness Magazine, February 1992