MAGNETiC home page  
  Hotline: +44(0)1277 896266
 

C o m p a r i s o n s

 Home
 About Us
 Products
 *Special* Camo Pulsar
 Jewellery
 Well-being
 Animals
 Sleep/Comfort
 Pad Set
 Ecology Units
 Quantum
 Comparisons
 Guide to use
 Magnetic Therapy
 Principle
 Testimonials
 FAQ
 Ordering
 Online Store
 Contact Us
 Major Credit Cards acceptedMajor Credit Cards acceptedMajor Credit Cards accepted
The British Complementary Medicine Association (BCMA)

10th - 12th June South of England

23rd - 27th June Hickstead Derby

3rd - 4th July Danson Festival Bexley

9th -11th July Dalemain Cumbria

16th - 18th July Kent County Show

21st - 25th July War and Peace Show Kent

27th - 1st Aug Hickstead Royal Int

7th - 8th Aug Bowood Wilts

13th - 15th Aug Sandringham

17th - 19th Aug Pembrokeshire Show

28th - 30th Aug Cheshire Game and Country Show

4th - 5th Sept Gt Missenden

11th - 12th Sept Sandringham

17th - 19th Sept Leighton Hall Carnforth

25th - 26th Sept Powderham Exeter

2nd - 3rd Oct Herts Country Show

6th - 10th Oct Horse of the Year Show NEC

15th - 17th Oct Windsor Craft Fair

23rd -24th Oct Broadlands

30th -31st Oct Beale Park Berks

4th - 7th Nov Hatfield House or Trinity Park Felixstowe. Prov

13th - 14th Nov Woburn

26th - 28th Nov Sandringham Chrsitmas Fair

2nd - 5th Lincoln Christmas Market

14th - 20th Olympia Christmas Show

Power demo

Amended May 2009.

I am often asked “how does your magnet compare?” With the amount of companies selling magnetic therapy products it is little wonder that people are confused. So here I will attempt to explain and compare with some of the company products that I come across the most whilst I exhibit around the country. Before I do this however, I will state that this is a comparison on strength of the magnets and NOT a comparison on benefit. Anyone can do this comparison as long as they have access to the products in question. I will also explain some of the terminology used by some companies.

In order to determine the weight a magnet can carry I use the edge of a normal new (shiny) 2p piece as seen in the photograph. In this case my standard Pulse wristband holds 3!

Below is a comparison of some of the companies currently offering magnetic therapy products similar to my own: Bioflow – TrionZ – Armadillo – Magnopulse – Nikken – Jewellery - MAGNETiC

1. Bioflow
UK based company products made in China, UK and Europe.
Products sold by Independent Agents through multi-level marketing scheme.
Products: Wrist straps, gold plated/stainless steel bangles and bracelets, body support, dog, cat collars, horse
rugs and boots and more recently garden accessories and household goods.

Wrist strap: Magnet strength is approx 2000 gauss. South pole round magnet set in a metal cup then set in a plastic case. Old design 15mm Dia, New design 11mm Dia. Fabric or leather straps using either hook and loop fastening or watch type buckle.

C.R.P (Central Reverse Polarity). No evidence to show that this supposed configuration is more beneficial than a single unipolar magnet, in fact all magnets have a reverse polarity around the edge as the magnetic field lines travel from pole to pole i.e. North to South.

Note: Bipolar is when two poles of the same strength is on the same surface. Unipolar is when one pole only is on the surface with the opposing pole on the other side or end.
Unipolar penetrates far deeper into tissue than bi-polar due to the scientific fact that magnetic field lines will travel the shortest distance between the poles.

A trial was conducted 2003/4 to show magnets are beneficial in Osteoarthritis in hip and knee. The trial was NOT conducted for the benefit of Bioflow and was funded by the Arthritis Association. No other product was used as a comparison.

(This quote is from the actual trial paper).

Is the effect real?
”Our study has not entirely resolved the extent to which the effect of magnetic bracelets is specific or due to placebo. Blinding did not affect the pattern of results, but the validity of the self reporting of blinding status could be questioned. Although the analysis of per-specification bracelets also suggests a specific effect, the result is only a trend and needs confirmation. Therefore, we cannot be certain whether our data show a specific effect of magnets, a placebo effect, or both”.

Unfortunately the term “bracelet” was used by the media who published an article on the trial which only confused the public into buying inferior magnetic jewellery.

Patent is for design NOT effect.

Magnet material: Neodymium.
Penetration of effective magnetic field: Approx 7cm.
Weight it can carry: 2x 2p pieces end on end.
Price starts for standard wrist strap £35 to £60 for strap with an extra small relay magnet set near the buckle.
Replacement/part exchange: Yes for 50% of original cost.
90 day money back guarantee: Yes

2. Trionz
New on the market. US base, Japanese manufacture.

Two small magnets, one north and one south, set in a plastic case with a one size elasticised strap.

Claims:

a. Patented orientation. Not sure how you can patent the “orientation” of a magnetic field?

b. Medical grade magnets!!!!!!! No such thing!!!

c. Maximum penetration??? Penetration 2-4mm!!!!

d. 2 x 1000 gauss magnets. 500 gauss each!

Magnet material: Unsure
Penetration of effective magnetic field: approx 4mm max!
Weight it can carry: 1x 2p piece, just.
Price around £18.
Replacement/part exchange: not known
90 day money back guarantee: not known

3. Armadillo
UK based and manufacture.
Products: Wrist straps, body supports, horse rugs and boots.
Wrist strap: Material polypropylene type webbing with magnet inserted in between two thick layers. Hook and loop fastening.
Company claim magnets used are a north, 2000 “core” gauss. Not sure why they use “core” gauss as a rating as 99.9% of companies use surface gauss. The fact that the surface gauss of the magnet I tested from a Wrist strap was only 250 gauss might explain why? NOTE: Most US based companies quote the core gauss but without saying so which is why you see gauss ratings as high as 10,000 to 30,000 to gauss!!!!

Trial conducted on horse boots showed improved mobility and stride. However, as neoprene is used in the manufacture of the boot to hold the magnet place it was NOT established if the heating effect of the material or the rubber magnet may have had an effect on improving blood flow.

Magnet material: Rubber/ceramic base.
Polarity: Bi-Polar
Penetration of effective magnetic field: approx 1 to 2cm.
Weight it can carry: 1 x 1p on the flat side, just!!!!
Price from around £19.
Replacement/part exchange: not known
90 day money back guarantee: no

4. Magnopulse
UK base and manufacture.
Debatable whether Magnopulse or Ecoflow (Bioflow) were the first to establish magnetic therapy in the UK. Derek Price of Magnopulse was part of the Ecoflow early years when they were promoting their fuel system before setting out on his own. Interestingly it is a picture his dog that is in the first brochure published by Bioflow.

Products: Wrist strap, body supports and horse rugs and boots. Also manufacturer of the Ladycare which is used for period pain and menopausal symptoms.

Wrist strap: Magnet encased in a rectangular plastic case. Rather bulky. Leather strap with metal watch type buckle.

Magnets are a north 2000 gauss. However they currently do not publish this fact. Sometimes encourage users to use a stronger magnet if the effect starts to diminish. Most companies suggest a rest from the magnet for about 10 days then start again.

Currently concentrating in establishing products for use on the NHS. This the company has successfully done with one product which is used for leg ulcers. This was found to be beneficial after users of the leg wrap for knee pain found it also helped with leg ulcers.

Whilst the trial was very successful the published report did not rule out the heating effect of the material used i.e. neoprene with a sheep skin type lining. Trial conclusion was also determined by a questionnaire filled out by the users rather than a clinical diagnosis.
Whilst the reports are very encouraging and all credit to Magnopulse for its efforts in establishing the credibility of magnetic therapy it is only fair to make clear that the magnet used is not unique and is the same used by other companies, myself included. It’s only the size and how it’s held in place that makes a difference.

Magnetic material: Neodymium.
Penetration of effective magnetic field approx 16cm.
Weight it can carry: 3 x 2p pieces.
Price from £30.
Replacement/part exchange: yes
90 day money back guarantee: yes

5. Nikken
US base Japanese maufacture.
Like Bioflow, products are marketed through agents working a multi-level marketing scheme.
Products: Extensive range of body supports, some jewellery, cushions, pillows, mattresses, quilts and horse rugs and boots. Also market various water filtration products, creams and lotions and other non magnet related.
Rely on Far- Infrared technology as well as magnetic therapy on most of the range and in some case far-Infrared on its own.
Probably the oldest pioneer of magnetic therapy in the UK. Came in and went 20 years ago then came back under a new marketing plan.

Rely heavily on using magnetic supports for each individual pain site, they say on one hand magnets should be worn for a short period of time yet on the other hand will happily suggest you buy another magnetic therapy product which can be worn or you can lay on day and night!!!

Unlike most of the companies already mentioned, Nikken do not rely on a single product to help improve overall blood flow but rather rely on using a variety of products in various forms to achieve the effect. Unfortunately this is how agents make their money and I have witnessed the use of aggressive physiological methods to get potential customers to buy far more than they actually need.
Magnetic material: Various, from rubber base to ceramic depending on application.

Gauss rating are around 200 gauss only. Company relies on the use of multi-magnets or Bi-polar magnets set in an individual pattern rather individual high powered ones. As they do not publish the gauss rating nor deem it necessary to mention the type of material used and have no standard way of applying the magnet to a particular use, it is very difficult to draw a direct comparison to a particular product. The products I have seen and compared with are very weak and in one case did not even hold a paper clip!
Again, as with Armadillo any therapeutic effect seen have not discounted the thermal effect of the material used which also include the same rubber type magnet which can also generate some heat on its own.

Magnet material: Rubber type or ceramic, mostly Bi-polar
Penetration of effective magnetic field: Approx 2mm to 8cm depending on product.
Weight it can carry: 1x 2p at best.
Price from £40 to £1000.
Replacement/part exchange: no
90 day money back guarantee: yes

6. Jewellery
No company in this category has a monopoly on the product, be it stainless steel/ titanium bracelets, gold or silver plated bangles or Haematite/ferrite magnetic bracelets and necklaces. The only difference is the style and the amount of magnets set within the item.

NO item of jewellery has ever been used as part of a medical clinical trial.

99.9% are made in China and are of various qualities. Some plating is good quality and coated on stainless steel but some are coated on cheaper alloys which wear off very quickly and a far cheaper to produce but often the same price.

A good quality jewellery item will have a coating over the magnet to help prevent corrosion. Magnets will and do corrode unless protected by layer of enamel or resin. Due to exposure of chemicals in creams, perfumes and acid in the body or where the coating is scratched or break down the then exposed metal is not protected. Clear nail varnish can be added if this happens or can be sent back to the manufacturer for recoating or new magnets. On this note, as far as I am aware I am the only company in the world that offers this service, but then I am the only company that offers REAL Gold and Silver jewellery as an option.

Most companies state magnet strength of between 1500 to 2500 gauss but can be far lower, as we have seen. Prices too can vary enormously for example I have seen the same product for sale in various magazines and catalogues, anything from £5.99 to £35!!!
You can now buy a bangle or bracelet for £1 in Poundland or if you are really unlucky, like one gentleman I met who paid £40 for the same product on an internet website!!!!!

I recently bought a magnetic bangle for £3 which is the same strength as the one currently available in Boots which sells for £27 or from Magnetic Therapy Ltd which they sell 2 for £25.90.

Magnetic Therapy Ltd claims that to get the most out of their jewellery, that when not in use it must be placed into an “e-box. There is absolutely no reason for this as a good quality magnet should last a lifetime regardless. The “e-box” is in fact an ordinary jewellery box most of which are steel based, mine are, and the time you are not wearing it for bathing etc is not for long as to make a difference anyway.

More magnets do NOT increase power; they just cover more area as with a bracelet or magnetic wraps.

It is often claimed that because there 6 or however many magnets in the bracelet and each magnet is say, 1000 gauss, then that means the bracelet emits 6000 gauss. NOT TRUE! Each magnet has a magnetic field in its own space, they DO NOT combine to create a larger, stronger field, they just cover more area. A bracelet will move around the wrist so at any point you are likely to have a magnet in the right place. A bangle however is more or less static on the wrist depending on fit.

Another claim is that an item of jewellery is best worn on a certain wrist for a particular problem??? There is no evidence for this.
For example it is claimed that if you wear a magnetic bangle on a particular wrist with magnets either on the top or bottom of that wrist it will work for example the bottom half of the body and likewise the other wrist for the top half. Nobody has yet explained to me how the effect can travel from my wrist to the bottom half of my body without going through the top half first! Or what happens if I wear a magnetic bracelet which have magnets all the way round?????

Money back guarantee Only one company that I know of will replace a faulty or worn out jewellery product and with no time limit and that is Magnacur.

Haematite jewellery is in fact Ferrite as it contains more ferrous oxide (trace iron) which can be magnetised. Pure Haematite contains some iron and whilst some not all can be picked up by a magnet it cannot be magnetised. Round magnets have limited penetration and as mentioned more magnets do not increase power. The bigger the magnet the deeper the penetration which is why some beaded jewellery can be more effective than others.
These items are best sold as an accessory to the main product but still can be very effective as well as attractive.
Prices are coming down quite dramatically and can be bought now from as little as £3 to £5 whereas a few years ago they sold (and still are in some cases) for £10/£15.
As the magnets in both Haematite and stainless jewellery are very small they will only penetrate 2mm to 4mm deep.
As a guide to strength they should be able to at least “grab” the edge of a 2p piece and support it easily, the better quality Titanium bracelets can hold two.

7. MAGNETiC
UK based UK manufacture and design (except Comfort Pads and Quantum). Est: 1995

Pulse/Pulsar Wristband: 2000 gauss magnet sewn in for comfort and less weight. Polypropylene webbing material with adjustable plastic clip. Washable and replaceable. Extension available for knee ( Pulse only) and is big enough or can be made longer for use around the ankle.

Real gold and silver jewellery. All handmade in our own workshop and made to measure.

Mag-knee-toe *NEW* This is a new strap for knee and general leg pain. Worn below the knee and above the calf as a patella support. It has 3 x 2000 gauss, unipolar, north facing magnets to saturate the knee with a powerful magnetic field.

Magnetic material: Neodymium or as in the Comfort Pad – ceramic.
Penetration of effective magnetic field: 16cm
Weight it can carry 3 x 2p pieces. ( Pulse, Mag-knee-toe and Comfort Pad)
90 day money back guarantee: Yes but not on all products
Replacement/part exchange: Yes. For example a replacement wristband is only £8. Replace and re-seal magnets
on jewellery is £15 or free if within a certain reasonable time.
Price: £25 for standard wristband. £35 for Pulse Boost with relay magnet. Jewellery prices vary.

I tried a magnet and it didn’t work

My comparisons are no way intended to imply that the wearer will not get some form of benefit from wearing any of the items mentioned or to be derogatory to that particular company. My sole intention is to make the reader, wearer or potential purchaser more aware that there can be a difference and that not all products or magnets are the same. It is also my intention to help people understand some of the terms commonly or uncommonly used by some companies which can confuse or mislead a person into buying or trying a product totally unsuitable for its intended purpose.  

Ray Padfield-Krala Director Magnetic.

 

 
 

Search Engineered By Unitel Direct

 
© MAGNETiC. All rights reserved.  Website design by Sypher Design of North Wales Web Design. Site Map | Privacy policy | Resources