Magnetic Boots, do they work??

[hairycob1]

Hi,
My 11 year old cob has ring bone in his pastern, although he is only pottery in the morning then walks it off.

He currently wears equillibrium stable wraps which i swear by!. A few of my friends have magentic boots and they think they are great! They are very expensive, do you think they are worth the investment? Thanks

[peppertop]

Yep they definately do! I have lots of them on different horses and dogs and have seen great results. If he's shod, take his shoes off too which will help loads for his condition. obviously make sure his feet are well trimmed and balanced.

[kt]

peppertop you might want to be careful before saying taking shoes off will help as the horse in question may be sore without shoes.
RE: Magnetic boots there was a study recently, I shall have to find it, that suggested there was no evidence for them working, because they either don't have an effect or its so minimal its not deep enough/effective enough to provide a difference

[Amanda Seater]

hairycob1.
you can get magnetic boots at a better price from Equimagnet. I find they work - but you may want to borrow a pair for a month and see what happens.
You may also as peppertop says wish to consult an equine podiatrist about foot care and shoe removal.
we have had success in this area re navicular and ring bone but be aware results can vary

[sunnylynn11]

I bought some for Zico, he does seem a little better after wearing them, my vet doesnt think they are much use tho , at the end of the day I guess that if you can afford to take the chance and buy them to see if they work for your horse then go for it, I guess you'll be able to sell them back on ebay if not

[peppertop]

Kt, I don't need to be careful but thanks for the advice. Thats what I would do and thought the Op might want some advice. I wasn't holding her to it! People have to make up their own minds on these matters.

[ruby]

I know people who swear by them and I tried my friends magnetic hock boots on my own leg when I twisted it. I admit I felt 'something' but not sure it aided my recovery. My physio advised that there is evidence to support a therapeutic benefit of pulsing magnetic fields, but there is no evidence to support the use of static magnets (as you would find in boots etc). She believes that the benefits observed are as a result of the heat generated by the boots which are often made of neoprene-like material.

[gwenoakes]

Kt - Forgive me for asking, but didnt you make a statement similar to the one you have made above on another thread for magnetic boots?
If it was you or even if it wasnt, I would just love to see the study that you are talking/writing about.
I only have experience of the Bioflow, nothing else. My own personal experience is the wristband has worked on me for osteoarthritis in my knee and a swollen, very painful arm after having a mastectomy. My arm no longer swells and is pain free, my knee is very manageable too now.
We have used them on a horse with a really bad fetloc injury also and I am convinced that it helped speed up the healing process.
Like I have said on other threads there is a 90 day money back guarantee, they keep something like 15 % for refurbishment and you are not pumping toxins either into yourself or your animals.

MTA - Have just looked back Kt and it was you on the other thread, so no need to answer the above question now.

[kt]

yup, I shall find it tomorrow off to bed for the night now

[Fussymare]

We have had brilliant results with a Bioflow collar for our dog, but when I used Bioflow boots on my gelding I didn't really see much difference at all. So guess it depends on the individual.

[gwenoakes]

Am upping this for Kt's info.

[kt]

yup, you may have to wait a day or two til I dig it out, it was a study mentioned in one of the horse magazines, possibly your horse or horse and rider if someone has it handy?

[ellibell]

Ok for what I know, in research (will try to fond it) it said they do not work, and they do not increase blood flow from the iron content in blood. If the iron content was attracted to the magnet like they say, when we place our head in a MRI unit, all the blood would rush there and our head would explode with the pressure!

BUT I personally feel they work on a much more subtle level that as of science wise so far, it is too slight for machines to pick up. I notice a big difference when I use the magnetic rug for arthritis probs amd also to help warm up/cool down when riding. I also have a bracelet and notice my sciatica does not play up quite as much, plus I get very very thirsty when wearing it.

For me, for joint probs I would definatly use them, but as usual, dont believe all you hear in the sales hype. What may work for one may not work for another. I have found a good book to read on elecromagnetism is The Body Electric by Robert O Becker.

[ellibell]

Effect of Therapeutic Magnetic Wraps on Circulation in the Third Metacarpal Region
David W. Ramey, DVM; Phillip Steyn, DVM, BVSc, MS, Dipl. ACVR;
and Joseph L. Kirschvink, PhD

Static magnetic pads with an average field strength of aproximately 350 G at the level of the magnet do not affect the circulation to the equine third metacarpal region.

1. Introduction
One of the more popular products with which horse owners can treat their horse appears to be the wrap containing low-intensity magnets. Although the biological effects of low-level magnetic fields have been studied since the 1500’s, there is no consensus as to the effects and whether, if they exist, they have any physiological significance. This randomized, controlled, double-blinded study evaluates the effect of low-intensity static magnetic pads on the perfusionof the metacarpal region in six horses.

2. Materials and Methods
One pair of magnetic wraps designed for the equine third metacarpal region was purchased from the manufacturer. The field strength of both pads was measured at the pad, at the level of the wrap, and at a distance of between 1 and 2 cm from the pad surface. One of the pads was demagnetized (inactive wrap), and the pads were marked A and B for later identification.
The effect of magnetic fields on the regional blood perfusion to the metacarpal region was evaluated in six horses. In vivo labeling of red blood cells was performed with 75 mCi stannous pyrophosphate (99mTc-PYP). Bilateral dorsal and lateral images of
the metacarpal region of each horse were made and served as controls. Wraps were applied to each forelimb in a randomized fashion and were left in place for 48 h. After the 48 h had expired, the horse’s red blood cells were again labeled by using
the same technique; the wraps were then removed.
Dorsal and lateral images were acquired as soon as possible after the removal of the bandages. Quantitative scintigraphic evaluations were performed to calculate the target-to-nontarget perfusion ratios. A ratio between the mean counts per pixel of a region of interest within the magnetic field and the mean counts per pixel of a region of interest outside of the field (distal radius) was calculated. This was done for all limbs before and after
treatment. The difference between the prewrapping and postwrapping ratio values for each lateral and dorsal scan was calculated. These values were then used to evaluate the effect of wraps A and B. Values for PERFORMANCE HORSE NOTES
272 1998 9 Vol. 44 9 AAEP PROCEEDINGS

Proceedings of the Annual Convention of the AAEP 1998 each lateral and dorsal scan were evaluated separately. The Mann-Whitney test, a nonparametric test equivalent to an unpaired student’s t test for a small number of observations, was used to test these hypotheses.
Upon completion of the study, the pads were retested for magnetic field strength and the inactive and magnetized pads were identified.



3. Results
The field strength of the magnetic fields at the level of both pads was approximately 450 G (gauss) at its peak, with an average field strength of approximately 350 G. At the level of the bandage (1–2 mm from the pad surface), the field strength dropped to
approximately 200 G. At a distance of 1 cm from the pad, the field strength was less than or equal to 1 G.
There was no significant difference in the median values of the dorsal scans between the two wrapping methods at p , 0.1. The median relative perfusion ratio difference for wrap A on the dorsal scans was 20.075, and for wrap B it was 20.04.
There was no significant difference in the median values of the lateral scans between the two wrapping methods at p , 0.05, but there was a difference at p , 0.1. This means that if more observations had been conducted, it might have been possible to have a significant difference at p , 0.05, with the possible
difference favoring pad B. The median relative perfusion ratio difference for wrap A on the lateral scans was 20.045, and for wrap B it was 20.125.
After scintigraphic testing, the pads were reevaluated. It was revealed that pad A was magnetized. So as to prevent any possibility of incomplete demagnetization, the magnet in pad B had been replaced with a Teflon sheet by the third author,
without prior knowledge of the first two authors. Teflon is inert and nonmagnetic. The field strengths of padAwere identical to those measured prior to the beginning of the study.


4. Discussion
Measurements of the magnetic wraps used in this study showed a rapidly decreasing field strength. Magnetic fields are measured in one of two units: 1 T (tesla) 5 104 G. For reference, the existing
magnetic field of the earth is 0.5 G. Thus, at approximately 1 cm from the magnetic pad surface, there was no detectable magnetic field from the pad. This would imply that there can be no effect from a wrap-produced magnetic field on tissues deeper than 1 cm from the magnet surface.
This study fails to confirm the results of another study that evaluated the effects of magnetic pads in horses by using nuclear scintigraphy.1 We decided to investigate the reported effects of low-intensity static magnetic fields on the circulation to the metacarpal region because of the experimental design
problems of that study. The experimental model, which compared the results of scans on one treated limb versus the nontreated limb, is questionable, as one forelimb should not be used as a control for the other in scintigraphic studies (each limb should be
used as its own control). Furthermore, a bandage and magnetic pad were applied to one limb while only a bandage was applied to the other. A more appropriate design would have been a bandage and a demagnetized pad. The radioisotope used in the
previous study was Tc99m-MDP, a bone-seeking radiopharmaceutical that attaches to the calcium hydroxyapatite
molecule of bone. Although the amount of tracer that labels to the calcium hydroxyapatite molecule of a particular bone is, among other things, correlated to the amount of blood flow to that bone, we decided to label the red blood cells themselves.
This should give a more sensitive and accurate evaluation of regional perfusion.
Quantitative scintigraphy is best performed through the calculation of regional perfusion ratios (target-to-nontarget ratios), in which the denominator of the ratio is (a) a region in the same leg and (b) not in the magnetic field. Absolute counts of a region, as performed in the previous study, are not
considered an accurate comparison between limbs for the following reasons, all of which affect the number of counts or nuclear disintegrations per region: (a) the number of pixels (size of the regions) measured will invariably be different between two
limbs; (b) the gamma camera can be different distances from different limbs; and (c) different amounts of radiopharmaceutical uptake are often seen in different limbs during the same scan (i.e., one entire limb can be hotter than the contralateral limb).
Numerous studies have failed to show any effect of low-intensity magnetic fields on blood circulation.
No effect of dental magnets on the circulation of blood in the human cheek could be demonstrated in one study.2 A study on the circulatory effects of a magnetic foil was unable to show any effect in the skin of human forearms,3 and the application of a
magnetic foil to healing wounds in rats apparently caused no significant effects.4 Another study in horses showed that the application of a magnetic pad over the tendon region for 24 h caused no evidence of temperature increase in treated limbs versus placebocontrolled limbs, using thermographic measurements as an indirect assessment of blood circulation
to the area.5 Studies commissioned by the makers of one type of
magnetic pad showed that exposure of a highly concentrated saline solution in a glass capillary tube increased the flow of the solution. Although the mechanism for the increase in saline flow is not apparent, it certainly could not have been related to
any dilatory effect on the walls of the glass capillary tube. The investigator who performed the study has stated that the results of the experiments performed using highly concentrated saline in a glass tube should not be extrapolated to effects that would
be expected with flowing blood.6 If a magnet did cause local increases in circulation, one would expect the area under the magnet to feel warm or become red as a result. Although it would
be difficult to detect in horses, such an effect is not reported when magnets are held in the human hand. Furthermore, one would expect any circulatory effects produced by very weak magnetic fields to be magnified in stronger magnetic fields. However, no circulatory effects have been reported in magnetic
resonance imaging machines, in which the magnetic forces generated are 2–4 orders of magnitude greater than those produced by therapeutic magnetic pads. In studies in which humans were exposed to magnetic fields of up to 1 T, there was no evidence of alterations in local blood flow at the skin of the
thumb or at the forearm.7 Even a 10-T magnetic field is predicted to change the vascular pressure in a model of human vasculature by less than 0.2%, and experimental results of the effects of strong magnetic fields on concentrated saline solutions are in general agreement with these predictions.8

5. Conclusions
From the results of this study, one may conclude that there is no effect of low-intensity static magnetic fields on blood circulation to the equine third metacarpal region. Even if there were an increase in circulation, that might not equate to a beneficial
physiologic effect.

[ellibell]

'HOW CAN PULSED MAGNETIC FIELD THERAPY ASSIST IN THE HEALING OF BONES AND LIGAMENTS?'

by Dr. D. C. Laycock Ph.D.

Bone is essentially calcium structure which contains trace elements. One particular element recently identified is Alpha Quartz. This is the same type of material which is used in computers and digital or electronic watches. When this material is compressed, it develops a voltage across its two compressive faces, a phenomenon known as the piezo-electric effect. The old crystal pickups on record players used this effect to generate electrical sound signals. Gas appliances and some cigar lighters also utilise the same effect to generate a spark for ignition.

In bone, areas of stress generate small electric charges which are greater than those of less stressed areas, so that polarised bone-laying cells (osteoblasts) are believed to be attracted to these areas and begin to build up extra bone material to counter the stress.

With bone injuries, bleeding occurs to form a haematoma in which capillaries quickly form, transporting enriched blood to the injury site.

Pulsed Magnetic Field therapy of a base frequency of 50Hz, pulsed at above 12Hz, causes vaso and capillary dilation, so helping to speed up the process of callus formation. Within the bone itself, pulsed electro-magnetism causes the induction of small eddy currents in the trace elements, which in turn purify and strengthen the crystal structures. These have the same effect as the stress-induced voltages caused by the alpha quartz and as such, attract bone cells to the area under treatment. This can, therefore, accelerate the bone healing process to allow earlier mobilisation and eventual full union. Ligaments and tendons are affected in similar ways to solid bone by pulsed electromagnetic therapy, since they are uncalcified bone structures in themselves.



'Static Magnetism versus Pulsed Magnetic Therapy in Medical and Veterinary Use'

by

Dr.D.C.Laycock


This article was written to try to answer some of the questions posed about the efficacy and use of static magnets versus pulsed magnetic fields in both medical and veterinary use.

Magnetism is a product of moving charged particles. This can be within a conductor, such as a length of wire carrying an electric current, or found around certain types of materials where the crystal structure is such that a current is formed by electrons, sharing the orbits around the atoms making up the structure in an orderly direction. In a conducting wire a source of energy, i.e. a battery, is required to sustain the flow of electrons in order to overcome the natural resistance, whereas in a magnet, electrons freely orbit their atomic crystal structure, unaffected by any resistance. The flow of electrons in a magnet requires no external input of energy but the field produced is constant and as such has no dynamic component and is therefore not a source of energy in itself. When a constant flow of electrons through the wire is sustained, then the fields produced are identical in nature between the static magnet and the ‘induced’ field. Pulsating magnetic fields differ in that they rise and fall around the conductors or coils as the current through them is varied.

Static magnets are widely available for use in both the medical and veterinary fields with many claims made for their efficacy, but are such magnets of any real use? How do they work and where and when should they be applied?

From a purely physics point of view, any effect from magnetic interactions with soft tissue or bone requires a dynamic component. If a static magnet is brought into close proximity to a conductor, i.e. a piece of wire, then there is only an effect whilst the field or the wire are in motion relative to each other, i.e. an electric current is established during this dynamic period. Soft tissue is made up of billions of cells each of which is surrounded by a semi-permeable membrane. Through this membrane pass certain types of ions known as ‘cations’, which flow into the cells, and ‘anions’, which flow out. These different types of cations and anions provide the essential nutrients to sustain each cell to perform its designated function. These flows of ions constitute small electric currents in their own right, driven by a small charge that gives a similar effect to having a battery applied across the membrane. The flow of ions would produce a miniscule but virtually undetectable magnetic field. If cells are damaged by accident or disease then the ‘battery’ that drives the cell’s currents may be reduced in its ability to sustain the flow of ions and hence the cell either is reduced in its function, or dies.


Magnetic fields applied to the area of injured cells need some dynamic interaction to have an effect on the anionic and cationic flows across their membranes. Since a magnetic field is a product of moving ions or electrons, then a dynamic field applied externally will have the effect of inducing movement of ions. The generation of electricity is based on this principle. If the generator is stationary and the armatures not in motion, then no electricity is produced. When the armature rotates, electricity will be produced. Manufacturers that claim to have static magnets which can mimic the motion of pulsating magnetic fields are, therefore, making untrue statements since the magnetic fields, however shaped by positions of other static magnets, will never have a dynamic component. If they could achieve such dynamism from a static source then the world’s energy and pollution problems would be solved.

So are static magnets of any real use? Well perhaps the dynamic interactions may come from within the soft tissue itself. If a static field is applied to an area of injury then several possible factors may induce ionic movement. These are:-

Thermal agitation, - under normal conditions soft tissue is fluidic in nature and there may be some Brownian motion i.e. random vibrations of cells due to heat. These slightly moving cells may cut across the static field and as such aid some ionic movement through their membranes.
Pulsating vibrations, - from the heart as blood pulses through the tissue.
Muscle twitch - since muscles are never completely static, a magnet attached loosely to an affected area may interact this way. Normal muscular motion will also contribute to this effect.


Since the interactions are very small and inconsistent, it follows that static magnets would need to be applied over a long term in order to achieve any benefit. This contrasts with pulsating fields that, by their very nature, interact as they rise and fall, cutting through the cells and aiding ionic flow. The frequencies at which the fields switch are also an important factor affecting different cells and conditions.

Other claims arise as to the question of the significance of magnetic polarity. Different effects from the north pole of a static magnet are claimed as opposed to the effects produced by the south pole. This has to be viewed with some skepticism, since a magnetic field is formed around the flow of ions or electrons causing it. This makes, in effect, a continuous field loop. The terms north or south pole indicate which end the magnetic field appears to orientate itself. Since magnetic field poles either oppose or attract each other, depending upon their orientation, they tend to be given a perceived direction although no movement actually occurs. Where this direction of the field appears to emerge from the magnetic material then this is termed the north pole and where the field appears to re-enter the magnet this is the south pole. It follows therefore that at any position along the line of the field there is a north south orientation. Where it appears to come from is the north, where it flows to is the south’.


If we apply the above logic to the case where a static field is applied to the skin surface, the field forms a continuous loop from which there is no net outflow. That entering the skin surface exactly equals that leaving it. If entering the skin, the field is taken as north on the outside, south on the inside, then as the field loops around and emerges from the skin, the north pole could now be said to be on the inside of the skin surface and the south on the outside. Since the net polarity effectively cancels out it is difficult to justify any claims for polarity.

Claims for the existence of monopole magnets and their increased efficacy are in the realms of ‘Pseudo Science’. A magnetic field is established around a flow of charged particles. The field orientation is as discussed above. The idea that somehow there could be only one polarity is a physical impossibility. The magnetic field emanating from the north pole of a magnet or coil is part of a continuous loop that cannot exist in an incomplete form. Such devices are a physical impossibility therefore the claims attributed to them are invalid.

Another claim made about static magnets is that of ‘magnetic energy’. This is given the terms positive and negative with the north-south orientation. North pole is said to have negative energy and the south pole to have positive. To understand what energy is we have to look at its definition. Energy simply means ‘the ability to do work’. How can this simple statement be applied to magnets? If energy is divided into its basic components it either exists as potential (stored) energy or as kinetic (dynamic) energy. Static magnets have neither potential nor kinetic, as explained previously. The only way any magnetic induction effect can be derived is by interacting with an external dynamic source of energy. Energy can therefore only be taken out of a system if it has been put there beforehand. Magnetism existing as negative or positive energy becomes meaningless in this context.

Pulsed magnetism requires that energy be put into the system to establish the magnetic field. When the source of energy is removed, the field collapses back into the wire. Used therapeutically, it is during the time that the field is being established or collapsed that energy is being used to drive cellular ionic flows. In other words, this is only during the dynamic periods. There is no concept of negative or positive energy that can be applied since the moving field causes ionic flow dependent upon the direction, angular interaction and electrostatic charges of the ions. The nature of cell membranes is such that they will generally only allow the cations to flow inwards and the anions outwards. The dynamic magnetic field has in effect a push-pull action on ionic flow, aiding both inward and outward movement of ions as it rises and collapses through the membranes.

In writing this short article I have not made reference to, or quoted, specific research. There are volumes available to those interested in a deeper study of therapeutic magnetism. But also, there are many reports of successful usage that are anecdotal rather than scientific in nature. I would suggest that these ‘successes’ are often the only ones reported but failures do not get a mention. In evaluating recovery, we should also not overlook the body’s own ability to help itself under certain conditions. Placebo effects are known to work in at least 25% of cases and as much as 50% are also possible. With animals, the placebo effects are generally missing. However a case was reported to me about racing greyhounds. These seemed to improve their performance over a period of a few weeks from the onset of treatment with pulsed magnetic therapy. It was later found that the magnetic field applicators were faulty and the device had never functioned correctly. The ‘improvement’ of the animals may have occurred because the trainers had expected them to and possibly treated them differently to normal.

Pulsed magnetic therapy used in the correct manner, where the correct frequency and pulse rate is selected, can be a useful aid to treatment of a variety of conditions. The use of static magnets is harder to justify scientifically, but may have some place, although limited, when applied over long periods of time.