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Magnetic Bedding
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is not a medical site. You should always discuss medical matters
with your doctor.
Many people are convinced that magnets have therapeutic value and they have been
mentioned in folklore for many years. They are sometimes cited as being effective in
treating all sorts of conditions, most usually those involving chronic pain.
Does It Work?
The scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of magnetic therapy is limited and
inconclusive (1).
Personally I'm not qualified to judge the claimed health benefits. I do know
that many people are convinced they work and continue to buy them embedded in everything
from jewelry to bedding.
The most common form of magnetic bedding is the mattress
pad (topper). At the high end
of the market these sometimes have a magnetic layer built into the middle of the pad. An alternative
is an ordinary mattress pad that simply has the appropriate magnets attached underneath.
You can buy a wide range of magnetic toppers, incluing those using memory foam. As with any product quality varies, there are
also technical variations such as the strength of the magnets used (measured in
Gauss).
Even if magnet therapy works it wouldn't be for everyone - for some people it could even
be dangerous. Always check with your doctor first.
In particular you should avoid magnets
if you have an implanted medical device such as a heart pacemaker or insulin pump. Some
people have also reported that magnets can cause dizziness or nausea. As always, pregnant
women should be especially wary of any novel treatment.
At the end of the day, the efficacy of magnetic therapy appears at best unproven. Many people
believe it works for them, however there are potential risks. If you think it might work
for you and your doctor agrees then there are many stores selling magnetic products both
online and off.
References:
(1) Magnet Therapy
Here Be Dreams Home - Bedroom - More - Magnetic Bedding
All original material Copyright © Trevor Mendham 2003-2006. See home page for contact
details.
This is not a medical site. Nothing on this site constitutes personal advice.
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