Frequently Asked Questions – General | Technical | Usage

 

Hopefully the questions and answers listed below will assist you in deciding if Magnetic Therapy is for you. We have tried to cover any question that might come up, whether it would be in general, technical or usage of the magnetic products. If your question does not appear below please contact us and we will be glad to get the answer for you.

 

Precaution Update - As you know the use of BIOflex® magnets has been determined to be exceedingly safe. In fact there are no reports in the scientific literature of adverse side effects following the use of permanent magnets in the range of induction offered by our magnets. Nevertheless there are several precautions which limit the use of the magnets in certain situations. In most cases these contraindications are obvious through common sense. 

For example, we have advised against the use of the magnets on fresh wounds due to the capacity of the magnets to increase blood flow, which obviously would not be desirable when the goal is to halt the bleeding. Some of the precautions are more subtle but are still as reasonable and easily understood. Internally placed devices, such as pacemakers or insulin pumps should not be directly exposed to our magnets because the magnet might interfere with the magnetically controlled features of these devices. 

 

General 

 

Q. How long has BIOflex® been in business?

A. BIOflex® was incorporated in 1986 and is considered to be one of the pioneers in magnetic therapy.

 

Q. Do any other magnet companies manufacture magnets with the concentric circle design?

A. By law, no other companies can manufacture or sell magnets with concentric circle design. BIOflex® is the registered trademark of the magnetic device that is so unique it has been protected by international patents. Three of the strongest patents, European, U.S. and Japanese, have been granted to protect this design.

 

Q. Have there been any studies done on BIOflex® magnets and their effectiveness and safety?
A. There have been several studies done using BIOflex® magnets, the most recent being at Baylor College of Medicine. The results of this study were very favorable and the study was published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in November 1997.

Q. Will my insurance cover magnetic therapy products?
A. Some do, especially if ordered by a physician. Check with your own company for their policy. 

 

Technical

 

Q. How do BIOflex® magnets work?

A. BIOflex® magnets feature a series of concentric circular poles. The circles are of variable width and alternate between the N and S poles. This magnetic field configuration is optimal for modulation of cellular processes related to blood flow and pain reduction. 

Studies at major universities have verified that the BIOflex® magnetic design of concentric circles of alternating polarity can consistently relieve musculoskeletal pain. The magnets act like an electric heating pad to bring more blood to an area, increasing the nutrients and building blocks the damaged tissues need for repair. They also accelerate the clearance of toxic waste products resulting from the injury. All of this reduces the swelling which irritates nerve endings, one of the major causes of post-injury or overuse musculoskeletal pain.

 

Q. What makes BIOflex® Magnets different than others?

A. BIOflex® magnetic fields penetrate into the tissues of the body with an effective 3D configuration to a significantly greater depth than other magnet designs. The feature of alternating poles of variable width ensures that the magnetic field will “reach” farther from the surface of the magnet than will the magnetic field of a magnet whose poles are closer together (e.g., "refrigerator" magnets). In the case of the other magnetic patterns, the poles are immediately adjacent to one another with no gap between them. Even though the surface measurement of the magnetic flux density is greater on such magnets, the field will be no different than background just a few millimeters away from the magnet. Use of such "refrigerator" magnets to relieve, e.g., lower back pain is doomed to failure since the magnetic field at this deep site of irritation is no different than that with no magnet.

 

Q. What polarity are BIOflex® magnets?
A. BIOflex® Magnets feature a series of concentric circles of alternate magnetic poles that represent the most efficient pattern to achieve the proper 3D magnetic field pattern at the affected site, even as deep as several inches.

Q. What are the BIOflex® magnets made of?
A. BIOflex® magnets are made of the combination of ferrite powders mixed throughout a polyethylene matrix. 

 

Q. Do the magnets ever lose their strength?

A. BIOflex® magnets are designed for multiple applications and experience no loss of magnetic power over time.

 

Q. What is Gauss?

A. The "power" of a magnet is usually represented by the term Gauss, which is the measure of the level of induction of a magnet. Ten thousand Gauss is equal to one Tesla, a newer term for the same thing.

 

Q. Why are BIOflex® magnets lower in Gauss than some magnetic products on the market today?

A. BIOflex® magnets have the ability to “reach” into the tissues of the body at a greater depth than other magnetic designs. The feature of alternating poles of variable width ensures that the magnetic field will “reach” further away from the surface of the magnet than will the magnetic field of a magnet whose poles are closer together. BIOflex® magnets are designed to provide the proper gauss deep within the tissues.

 

Q. What do the terms Unipolar and Bipolar mean?

A. Unipolar is a misleading term when applied to magnets. By definition, every magnet must have two poles. Companies using this terminology are referring to a magnetic design more properly called axially magnetized. That is, one pole on one surface of the magnet with its opposite pole on the opposite surface. BIOflex® magnets have repeating concentric circles of alternating north south polarity. 

 

Usage

 

Q. How can I clean my BIOflex® product?
A. Wash in warm water using mild soap, rinse thoroughly. Air dry at room temperature, do not tumble dry. Washing frequently removes body salts and minerals that might cause irritation.

Q. I have cancer. Will the magnets make my condition worse?
A. Some members of the medical community will say that using the wrong magnet causes acceleration of cancerous and microbial growths. This is simply not true and is not even suggested by the medical literature. However, it is important enough to digress for a brief explanation of the facts. 

The field generated by an electric source, specifically one from alternating power, produces a field composed of a magnetic field, as well as a separate electric field. A permanent magnet produces no such electric field. An alternating electric field (AC) is also different from a field produced by direct current (DC) power. It is the nature of this alternating electric field that has caused so much concern because of research that has demonstrated the negative effects of electric fields, especially on the cellular level. It is well described that alternating, or pulsating, electric fields are capable of disrupting the cell wall, interfering with the DNA replication process as well as influencing other negative effects. The magnetic component, however, has never been shown to have any negative effects.

A 1987 study commissioned by the World Health Organization confirmed that in over forty years of research, the magnetic fields produced by permanent magnets have never been implicated in any mutagenic process. However, we do recommend that you consult your physician prior to using the magnets with this or any other medical condition.

 

Q. I am pregnant. Will the magnets affect my baby?

A. The induction of an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is usually about two to three Tesla, about twenty to thirty thousand Gauss. Use of MRI during pregnancy is considered safe for the developing fetus. This demonstrates the level of confidence with which one can use BIOflex® products which range from 300 to 800 Gauss.

 

Q. I have a pacemaker. Can I use the magnets?

A. Since the magnetic fields may interfere with the switching mechanism in a pacemaker, use of any magnetic products near this device is not recommended.

 

Q. My husband/wife/partner has a pacemaker. If I use the magnets will it affect him/her?

A. As long as the magnets do not come in direct contact with the area that the pacemaker is in, it is safe to use the magnets with caution. However, use of mattress overlays and/or car seats is not recommended.

 

Q. I use a nicotine/estrogen patch. Can I use the magnets?

A. Since the use of magnetic products will increase the flow of blood in the area that they are placed, it is not recommended that you place the magnet on or near a transdermal drug delivery device (patch). However, magnets can be worn as long as they are not located near the patch. 

 

Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems- These adhesive backed patches are affixed to the skin and are designed to release a predetermined amount of drug through the skin over a fixed period of time. There are several types of these patches and different types of drugs are contained within them. The manufacturers of these transdermal patches have not yet warned consumers to beware of products which can tend to increase blood flow in the area of the patch. 

We have determined that theoretically increasing blood flow in the area of one of these patches might cause too much of the drug to enter the bloodstream within a shorter period of time than was originally intended. Therefore we recommend that the BIOflex® magnets should not be placed near a transdermal patch. If a patch is worn on the chest, for example, it isn't likely that a magnet worn on the back or arm would cause any problems. However, wearing a transdermal patch within the same anatomical area as a magnet could create a potential adverse situation. 

 

Q. I have metal instruments in my body from surgery. Can I use the magnets?

A. Although it is safe to use the magnets with this condition, magnets will react differently with different alloys. If you experience any discomfort from using the magnets, it is recommended that you discontinue use.

 

Q. Are magnets safe for children?

A. Permanent magnets are safe according to all respected scientific standards. The World Health Organization and the FDA consider them non-hazardous risks and they are generally recognized as safe.

 

Q. Can I use the magnets around my computer and other electronic equipment?

A. The magnets can be used around the computer and other electronic office equipment with care. Do not place magnets directly on computer. Do not let magnets come in contact with credit cards or other cards that utilize a magnetic strip for scanning, video tapes, or computer diskettes, etc.

 

Q. Should I wear the magnets when I play sports?

A. As long as you are comfortable, it is perfectly safe to wear your magnets while playing your favorite sports.

 

Q. Are magnets safe for animals?

A. Yes. Many people use magnets in treating certain conditions in their domestic pets.

 

Q. Is it safe to travel with magnets?

A. It is safe to travel with a reasonable quantity of magnets. Magnets will not set off alarms or detectors, or interfere with on-board navigation systems.

 

Q. How do I use the individual magnets?

A. The individual magnets (Max Circle Pad, Mini Circle Pad, Multi Card Pad, Flex Pad) can be used in a wide variety of ways on different parts of the body. Please see the products page for suggested usage.

 

Q. How do I apply the individual magnets to my body?

A. The Max, Mini and Card can be applied to the body using any adhesive tape found at your local pharmacy. Alternately, a small "dot" of male Velcro® can be affixed to the gold side of the magnet and the magnet placed in an elastic bandage or other wrap and wrapped around the area. We also sell specially made, hypoallergenic, double-faced adhesives made specifically for the Max and the Mini. At this time, we do not make adhesives to fit the Multi Card Pad. 

To use the specially made adhesives, follow these simple instructions: 

1. Peel the paper backing from one side of the adhesive. Since it is scored, the paper backing will come off in sections. 

2. Once the paper backing is removed from the adhesive, apply the sticky side of the adhesive to the underside (black) of the magnet. 

3. Before removing remaining paper backing, bend, flex or mold the pad to fit the shape of the body where it will be applied. 

4. Once you have decided where on your body you would like to place the magnet, peel the remaining paper backing from the adhesive, which is now affixed to the magnet. 

5. Try to avoid touching the adhesive with your fingers, as the oils from your skin will affect the adhesive's ability to stick. 

6. Firmly place the magnet on the affected area.

The adhesives will allow the magnet to stay firmly in place for many hours, even days. For hygiene purposes, it is recommended that you change the adhesives periodically. Once the magnet is removed from your body, and the adhesive has made contact with oils from the skin, the magnet will not stay firmly in place again. In this case, we recommend that you apply a fresh adhesive to avoid losing your magnet.

 

Q. How long should I wear the magnets?

A. We recommend that you wear the magnets as long or as little as you like, according to the level of your discomfort.

 

Q. How do I care for my magnets?

A. Your individual magnets and insoles can be cleaned with a mild soap and water and placed in a plastic bag, out of direct sunlight. Braces and Splints can also be cleaned by hand, using a mild detergent, then laying flat to dry. Do not machine wash or machine dry! Although it is safe to hand wash the Mattress Overlay and Universal Therapy Pad with a mild detergent, these products are relatively large and thick and will take quite some time to dry completely. Therefore, it is recommended that you use a mild, foaming, furniture/upholstery cleaner that can be brushed off once it is dry. Care for the facemask using a mild soap and cold water. Dry off and store in the special pouch or a plastic bag. Do not use rubbing or denatured alcohol to clean. Before using, be sure that your face is clean and free of any creams, oils, etc. Do not freeze or place in the microwave.

 

Q. How long before I can expect results from my magnets?

A. Everyone is different. And their levels of discomfort are different too. If you are experiencing discomfort in a small, more localized area, and you apply a Mini Circle Pad, the discomfort might diminish in as little as 20 minutes. If you are using a Knee Stabilizer to treat an injury, you might not experience results for a day or so. If you do not experience any results by the third week, please contact us. We are here to help.

 

Q. Can I wear the magnets while I swim or bathe?

A. Water will have no effect on the magnets, however, it is recommended that you remove the magnet prior to prolonged aquatic activity, to avoid losing it. Swimming or bathing while wearing a brace or support is not recommended.

 

Q. The gold foil is coming off of my magnet. Will it still be effective?

A. The gold foil on your individual magnet is for decorative purposes only and has been reported by some to peel off after prolonged and intensive use. This will have no effect on your magnet.

 

Q. If I cut my magnet in half, will it still be effective?

A. Cutting the magnets in half will disrupt the concentric circle pattern, thus decreasing the effectiveness of the magnet. Therefore, cutting the magnet in half or in sections is not recommended.