Magnets are available in all shapes, sizes and powers. Now the choice of magnet to be used rests solely with the magneto-therapist. Disc-shaped magnets are ideal for the palms, soles and the torso. But for uneven parts like the forehead, eyes, ears, nose, cheeks and throat, crescent-shaped magnets are the best.
Both the poles of a magnet have to be applied individually and usually concurrently. So two magnets of the same size and strength are needed. Normally stronger shaped-disc magnets are used on palms, soles and limbs while weak ceramic magnets should be applied only to the head, face, chest and wrist. The bands, chains and necklaces are usually for longer and more constant use and so are fitted with weak and small magnets.
Types of Permanent Magnets
There are many types of artificial magnets. There is the soft iron variety, which is the first type of permanent magnet made. It is much stronger than natural lodestone. But pure iron doesn’t stay magnetised for long.
Alnico is the first type of alloyed magnetic material. It is made by mixing nickel and aluminium with iron.
In the ceramic variety, barium ferrite magnets have been manufactured in the United States since 1954. Barium combines with iron atoms to form barium ferrite. It can be powdered, melted and cast into any desired shape or size and then magnetised.
Rubber magnets are of a flexible plastic material mixed with powdered barium ferrite to produce a material that is fairly strong magnetically. It is usually magnetised in strips of alternating polarity.
Strontium also combines chemically with iron to form a magnetic compound. It can also be powdered and cast into different shapes.
Among the rare earth magnets, samarium and cobalt can be mixed with pure iron to produce a very strong magnetic material, which can be made in small sizes too.
The most recently discovered and most powerful type of magnet material is made by combining the rare earth element neodymium with iron and a little boron. This can be cast and shaped in small sizes.
A wide range of magnetic materials is available today. There are tiny magnets the size of buttons, domino-size ceramic magnets, cookie-size disc magnets, rectangular block magnets and bar magnets almost an inch thick.
Magnets may have one pole on each end or face, or the poles may alternate across a face. When magnetic powder is embedded in plastic, it can be made into any number of shapes. They can be mounted in bandages, tapes, vests and shoe inserts or they can be strung on a necklace, made into a bracelet, or used to cover a whole mattress.
There are several kinds of permanent magnets. Alnico was the first type of magnetic alloy manufactured. Today, ferrite or ceramic magnets are very common. Ferrites can be powdered and cast into any shape or mixed with flexible plastic to produce magnetic strips or sheets.
Normally magnets with the poles on the large faces are required and not on the ends because the face with the correct polarity has to be laid against the body of the person being treated. The most inexpensive way to do home treatment is usually with permanent magnets. If there is a large area to treat, pulsed magnetic healing devices may be cheaper and more effective.