Q magnets Newsletter:
December 2008.
Lower Back Pain - the modern scourge?Lynette's Story
10 Tips around the house to help avoid back pain.
New packaging
Lower Back Pain - the modern scourge?
Statistics from the US and Australia show that up to 80% of people will suffer lower back pain - sometimes called ‘lumbago’ - at some point in their lives. In fact it’s the second commonest reason for visits to the doctor in Australia. In the US, $50 billion is spent every year on lower back pain and it is the number one cause of job-related disability and missed working days.
Many things can cause lower back pain, but the main causes are injury or ‘trauma’, such as a fall or car accident, and diseases, particularly degenerative diseases such as arthritis, osteoporosis and degeneration of the discs between the vertebrae.
Pain is simply a message from our body that something is not right and needs correction. Depending of course on the cause, back pain may be remedied over time by, for example, treatment from a qualified professional, proper diagnosis, exercise, stretches, education and lifestyle changes. In more serious cases medical intervention - even surgery - may be needed.
In all cases sufferers need something to block out the pain and many people use analgesics - pain medication (NSAIDS) and anti-inflammatory drugs. Although these can be effective at their job, many have side-effects if used over a long period of time.
Magnets have been used in pain management for a number of years, although many studies indicate that the common bipolar magnetic products do not have an effect greater than a placebo in double blind trials.
Q magnets (the ’Q’ stands for Quadrapolar describing the four alternating magnetic poles in each unit), like those developed by Dr Robert Holcomb at Vanderbilt University Medical Centre, are the first therapeutic magnets backed by both basic scientific research* and extensive clinical experience. Research shows that it’s not the magnetic field strength, but the amplified magnetic field energy produced by the interaction between the four alternating magnetic poles that helps block the pain, an effect that is not achieved with the common bipolar magnets.
You can learn more about the science behind Q magnets as well download many scientific research papers on the Neuromagnetics website.
* Holcomb, RR; Parker, RA an d Harrison, MS: Biomagnetics in the treatment of human pain Past , Present, Future. Environmental Medicine, 8:24 30, 1991
* McLean, MJ; Holcomb, RR; Torgerson, JE and McCullough, B: Treatment of wrist pain in the work place with a static magnetic device: interim report of a clinical trial. Second World Congress for Electricity and Magnetism in Biology and Medicine, Bologna, Italy, Jun e 8 13, 1997.
* Holcomb, RR: Treatment of mechanical low back pain with arrays of permanent magnets: a controlled study. 20th Annual Meeting of the Bioelectromagnetics Society, St. Pete Beach , FL, June 713 , 1998.
Lynette's Story
Lynnette Palmen AM, founder and Managing Director of Women’s Network Australia talks about how Q magnets have helped her treat extreme pain
“A severe spinal injury sustained in an accident in 1992 saw me spend the best part of a year in hospital. The next 7 years were spent seeking out every treatment known to man in an effort to gain some pain relief, stability and normal movement in my back.
My specialist recommended immediate spinal surgery, however spending so much time in hospital with fellow patients on their 3rd and 4th operations I was hesitant to go under the knife without thorough research. Naturally like all those with spinal injuries over the ensuing years I had tried everything.
As part of the course, physiotherapy professionals had treated me. However it was not until meeting physiotherapist Dianne Hermans in 2000 that I experienced the acclaimed Trigger Point Physiotherapy treatment which she teamed up with the permanent placement of Q magnets. For someone who had suffered such excruciating pain for so many years I could not believe that my pain could be stopped in its tracks by these tiny yet amazing devices.
Before using the magnets, on a scale of 10 - 1 (10 being the worst and 1 being the least) I had spent the best part of a decade sitting on an 8. Since being treated with Q magnets I now spend the majority of my life sitting on 2 - 4. I get such amazing pain relief that some days I don't even feel like I have a spinal injury. They have changed my life's path completely.
Better still, since wearing Q magnets I have come off all heavy medication, I don't have constant relapses sending me into hospital for weeks on end, and aggressive spinal surgery is now on the back burner. I say, if you can't feel the difference when wearing Q magnets - then you didn't have pain in the first place. Take it from someone who tried everything - these amazing devices work!
When I am in pain now, it's not because it's time to take my next drug it's because I have removed the magnets from my back (which are permanently placed with surgical tape) to go for a swim or to soak in a bath, which is really a no no. I can't wait for the day when Q magnets can be surgically placed under the skin. It wouldn't be a good look, but when you have lived with excruciating pain vanity goes out the window.”
10 Tips around the house to help avoid back pain
1. When cooking with large volumes of liquid like pasta and soups, make a few trips with smaller quantities of water to fill the saucepan on the stove. Where possible, avoid lifting the saucepan by sliding it across to the sink and pour into a colander below by tipping.
2. Wet clothes can be heavy, to avoid carrying excessive loads use a trolley to carry washing to and from the clothes line.
3. Reaching too high for extended periods are common causes of shoulder and neck pain. To avoid reaching up too high when hanging out or taking in the washing, bring the line closer to you.
4. Modify your posture when ironing for extended periods. Adjust the ironing board to a low level and try sitting down for a while. This will decrease low back pain from rotating from side to side and standing and bending for too long.
5. Watching TV can be a trap, don’t just sit in the same chair for hours on end, the same goes for reading. Get up and move around every 30 minutes, go and do something during the ad breaks.
6. If you use an upright vacuum cleaner, make sure it’s not too heavy to push. Especially don’t bend over when pushing the vacuum cleaner.
7. Computers are usually more hazardous to your back and neck than the TV. Do not sit at a computer too long, get up and stretch regularly. Buy a comfortable, adjustable chair with a good lower back support. Make sure your monitor, mouse and keyboard are set up correctly. There is loads of information on the internet with regard to correct ergonomics.
8. Cleaning can be good exercise, but when performed poorly can lead to injury. Avoid bending over and carrying heavy buckets of water. Seek out methods of cleaning that don’t require large volumes of water.
9. So that the kettle is not too heavy, when making a cup of tea or coffee don’t overfill it. Only fill it with what you need at the time.
10. Use large handled utensils when peeling vegetables and do it sitting down to rest your back and legs.
New packaging
Now you can store your Q magnets in our quality zip lock Q Bag. It has a magnetic base and is large enough to store your Q magnet devices along with your scissors, tape and double sided adhesive. You can purchase them here.
Meanwhile, practitioners who treat using Q magnets can purchase a very stylish Practioner Box, purpose built. Click here for pricing. 
