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Magnetic Therapy
We all take medications on blind faith that the drug has been formulated properly and sold with sufficient potency. We even trust the simple thermometer and home pressure cuff even though they are often manufactured by the lowest paid and frequently untrained workers on this earth – in the same way as many of the medications we take. So we ask a simple question: if you could purchase an inexpensive device that would verify the composition and potency of your medicines or test and confirm the accuracy of your thermometer or blood pressure monitor wouldn’t your buy one just to be safe?
Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive devices to monitor the day-by-day medical aids that we, as a society, have come to rely and depend on. In searching for ways to solve this need we have developed an inexpensive device that will reliably test a family of widely advertised medicaments -- specifically, magnetic therapy devices.
Millions of individuals spend hundreds of millions of dollars world-wide for magnet therapy devices ranging from simple magnetic bracelets to mattresses to horse blankets to drinking cups. All in the belief that the presence of magnetic fields near living tissue will relieve pain or cure an ailment. In almost all of the literature reference is made to which pole of the magnet must be near the afflicted area frequently warning about the harm that can be done by using the wrong pole. It is also well accepted in this industry that a minimum flux density – field strength of at least 30 gauss – is required to realize any medicinal effect from a magnetic therapy device. Unlike other medicines or medical devices magnetic therapy is not recognized by most practitioners or regulatory bodies; consequently, magnetic therapy devices are sold on the open market with out the benefits of manufacturing control such as validation of the polarity or minimum field strength required to be of use.
Another thing to keep in mind: a permanent magnet may not be a permanent as you think and it may be useful to periodically test magnetic therapy devices. Permanent Magnets are made of materials that naturally exhibit magnetic fields. The elemental source of the fields is not completely known; however, it is known that a bar magnet will have two poles – a north pole and a south pole – of equal strength and opposite polarity. If you break the magnet in two you will have two magnets each having a north and south pole. Divide the magnet again and again and you will still have a dipole magnet. Theoretically you can continue this process until you reach the molecular level and still have a magnet most likely due to the spin of the electrons that are part of the elemental molecule. If each of the elemental magnets is lined up in the same direction as the others the total magnet field will be enhanced resulting in a very strong field. Conversely, if the elemental magnets are arranged randomly the magnet fields will appose each other and essentially cancel out the total field. It is possible by applying heat, mechanical shock, or apposing strong magnetic fields to significantly reduce the strength, and therefore the effectiveness, of a permanent magnet.
Finally there is an affordable and reliable device to confirm the efficacy of magnetic therapy devices on a daily basis and even before you purchase the device – the MpD Magnetic Pole Detector. If you or your loved ones rely on magnetic therapy why wouldn’t you invest just a few dollars to test the devices that can cost hundreds of dollars and may potentially be useless or even harmful?
The MpD developers and Yesway Enterprises are not physicians nor qualified to validate the medicinal benefits of magnetic therapy. We are an engineering group with over 30 years experience in the design and testing of medical devices and have developed a unique solution to a growing need in the Magnetic Therapy industry. There are several methods available for testing magnets ranging from an inexpensive compass to magnetometers costing thousands of dollars and each fills a specific need.
Comparison of Magnet Testing Devices
(Go to Chart)
Compass (Top of Page)
A compass is nothing more than a small piece of magnetized material balanced on a pivot; the magnetized needle will align itself along the strongest magnetic field nearby. Though useful in finding the Earth’s North Pole it can be a little confusing when determining the Pole of a Permanent Magnet. A compass is designed to have the North end of the needle point to the geographic North Pole, thus it is the North seeking end of the compass magnet. The geographic North Pole of the Earth is magnetically a South Pole; consequently, when determining the pole of a permanent magnet keep in mind that when the compass is pointing to the magnet it is identifying the South Pole. Another disadvantage in using a compass for testing magnets is the effect that a relatively strong permanent magnet can have on the week magnetic field of a compass needle; exposure to the strong near filed of a permanent magnet may permanently change the characteristics of the compass. In addition, the compass needle aligns itself to the average magnetic filed and will not be useful in identifying specific magnetic poles in the presence of other magnetic materials.
Reference Magnet (Top of Page)
A known magnet, clearly marked for North and South poles, can be used to determine the polarity of a magnet under test. Since like magnet poles repel and opposite poles attract, by placing the marked magnet near the unknown sample the north and south poles may be identifiable. Keep in mind that the test may be inconclusive or misleading if the device under test is made of a material that is simply magnetically attracted – for instance simple iron or steel. When the known magnet is placed near the sample it will be attracted to either pole of the reference magnet. In addition, if the reference magnet is very strong it may have a modifying effect on the magnetic therapy device; conversely, if the reference magnet is too week (as in the compass) the magnetic therapy device may alter the characteristics of the reference.
Electromagnet (Top of Page)
A magnetic field of known polarity and strength can be generated by passing a known electrical current through a conductor. By winding insulated wire around an iron core a strong magnetic field can be generated – this is the basics of an electromagnet or solenoid coil. If you know the current passing through the wire, the number of turns and shape of the coil it is possible to calculate the exact strength and pole of the resulting magnetic field. By placing the magnet of the therapy device near the activated coil and measuring the repelling or attracting force the pole and strength of the Magnetic Therapy element can be determined.
Magnometer (Top of Page)
Very sensitive and accurate instruments manufactured for industry to measure magnetic fields. These devices are based in a variety of technologies to accurately determine the polarity and strength of magnetic fields. They are the best choice for a reliable and precise determination of magnetic flux density. They are also very expensive.
MpD - Magnetic Pole Detector (Top of Page)
The MpD is based on a principle know as the Hall Effect and has been designed to reliably determine the polarity of a magnetic field without altering the characteristics of the magnet under test. It will also only respond to magnetic fields greater than 30 gauss; therefore, it is an excellent indicator of the minimum field strength suggested for effective Magnetic Therapy.