Magnetic Mattress onderlays - how effective are they

[Valve Bounce]

Well, a cose relative swears by her magnetic mattress underlay, telling us tha she had a severe back (spinal) issue and was able to relieve the pain with one of these: http://www.google.com.au/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&channel=s&hl=en&source=hp&q=Magnetic+Mattress+Underlay&meta=&btnG=Google+Search
I just wonder if anyone here has any experience or can provide feedback on these. Are there any pitfalls that we should look at ?

[donKey jote]

loadabollox if you ask me... an expensive placebo effect if the quoted study results are legit, otherwise simply a con.

[Hondo]

I can't recall any body parts that are magnetic so I'd have to wonder what the attraction is. It could be the underlay had the effect of making her mattress former and stiffer and that is what really helped.

[Eki]

http://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/Contexts/See-through-Body/Looking-closer/Does-blood-have-magnetic-properties


Does blood have magnetic properties?

Blood contains haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is an iron (Fe) containing protein that transports oxygen around the body from the lungs to where it is needed, like the brain or muscles. The structure of the haemoglobin molecule changes slightly depending on whether it is carrying oxygen or not.

In the 1930s, it was found that haemoglobin has magnetic properties that are different depending on whether it is carrying oxygen or not. When the haemoglobin is not carrying oxygen it is more sensitive or paramagnetic than oxygenated blood. If you put a drop of blood next to a magnet is there any noticeable magnetic effect?

It has only been in the last fifteen years that this difference in magnetic property has been used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research. MRI uses a very strong magnetic field so this difference in the magnetic properties of oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin in blood can be detected. This change is called the BOLD (blood oxygenation level dependent) signal.

A magnetic field occurs around a magnetised object. It can attract or repel other magnetic objects. You can see this field if you place iron filings around a magnet.

The earth also has a magnetic field, which is caused by electrical currents within the earth. The strength of a magnetic field is measured in teslas (T). The Earth’s magnetic field is about 50µT in New Zealand. Much higher magnetic fields are used in other magnets.

The magnetic property of blood is also part of what fuels the industry that sells magnetic items as an alternative medicinal therapy. What do you think about these products?

[Valve Bounce]

All I know is that my relative had severe back pains from two worn discs between vertebrae in her spine, and could scarcely move in the mornings. She then fitted one of these mattress underlays and after two weeks, the pain is gone. Placebo effect or not, she couldn't care less as long as her back doesn't hurt anymore.

Maybe it is the wool underlay - who knows? who cares! as long as it works.