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Written by Thomas Corriher
Saturday, 29 May 2010 20:21
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Magnets are becoming popularized as a method for treating swelling and joint issues, with magnetic therapy growing to a billion dollar business internationally. This is due to massive marketing schemes which are extremely deceptive. Magnet therapy advertisements plague the June issue of Carolina Country, a free magazine that is distributed by Energy United, a power utilities company. Pictured right is an entry-level magnet product that was featured, which allegedly relieves stiffness and fatigue. It is made from spandex and has embedded magnets. The manufacturer sells a large line of magnet-based "therapies". They hook their victims using products like this one. This particular entry-level product is one of the cheaper ones that is designed to reel-in gullible people for future sales. (Only $9.97!)
Here is how the scam works. Customers are beguiled by the fact that the magnets will appear to help, due to the tight and warm spandex wrapping; not the magnets themselves. Attaching a tight spandex bandaging to a swelled area will concentrate healing warmth, and its pressure will help to reduce swelling. This has absolutely nothing to do with magnets, and any sports coach can easily explain it.
It is important to note that the real agenda behind this particular product is simply to introduce the victims to believable "magnet therapy", so that they will eventually be purchasing magnetic bed covers too (above $100), magnetic jewelry, and even magnetic slippers. After all, a tight and warm bandage that helps to relieve a sore knee is obviously indisputable proof that magnetic radiation is beneficial to health. At least, that's the bogus connection that we're supposed to make.
Vendors take advantage of the fact that most people have no idea how magnets work. Thus, they can make claims which have no basis in reality. Here is an example from one of the magnet marketing web sites:
"Magnetic fields attract calcium ions in the blood, which then press against blood-vessel walls for a dilating effect that optimizes circulation. This improves oxygenation of injured tissue to promote healing."
Magnets have no effect on calcium whatsoever, but the truth is not a very good selling point. Magnets only act upon iron, and compounds containing iron. The truth is that studies have repeatedly shown that magnet therapy has no greater benefit than a placebo. That's not to say that the placebo effect isn't a powerful one, but it does mean that a lot of people are wasting massive amounts of money, and funding companies who fraudulently seek to profit from their continued suffering. The warmth generated by the above product will help to enhance the placebo effect of magnet therapy, because the victim believes that he can actually feel it working via the bandage warmth and pressure. Victims are then likely to become life-long purchasers of these products.
In the meantime, copper magnet bracelets have also become popular. They are alleged to assist with joint pains and arthritis, because they contain copper. While copper has been proven to help with these things, it is impossible for enough copper to absorb transdermally from a solid bracelet to make any difference. For effective ways to help with these chronic pains, read our article, Naturally Eliminating Joint and Arthritis Pain. Some readers should also read about, Our High-End Colloidal Copper Skin Lotion. Unfortunately, we cannot "make unapproved claims" about our own lotion in regards to arthritis, damaged tendons, or serious skin diseases, but it is worth doing some research of your own, if you suffer from these things. Sorry, but telling you more would be competing with Big Pharma, and that's illegal in the U.S.. We could make all the claims we wished to make if we were hurting people with fraudulent claims about magnets, M.M.S., foot detoxification, or Reiki "spiritual energy healing" (witchcraft), because these things ultimately malign alternative medicine for their benefit, and the benefit of their business partners.
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