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  Discussion on Magnets
Author Message
Member:
Lamepony

Posted on Sunday, Oct 12, 2003 - 11:30 pm:

Months ago I wrote about my horse who went lame with what was eventually diagnosed as a deep digital flexor injury. It has been almost 6 months of rest and he has finally stopped bobbing. Now the vet has us walking him and he suggested that I buy magnetic boots as he thinks this could help increase circulation too. I can't find much through the search about magnet use. Am I missing the right place to look? I figure they can't hurt, but would like to know what the actual results of use have been. Thanks for your thoughts on this.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Oct 13, 2003 - 4:07 am:

Hello Anne,
Though it has been awhile we have had many discussions about magnets and not much has changed since then. Using the big search engine there were a lot of unrelated links but if you run a "keyword search of the discussions" on magnet you will get a lot of useful returns.

However this recent review of the scientific evidence sums up my feelings about magnets:

J Am Acad Nurse Pract. 2002 Aug;14(8):347-53
Magnet therapy: what's the attraction?
Ratterman R, Secrest J, Norwood B, Ch'ien AP.
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, USA.

PURPOSE: To review the current state of the science of magnet therapy with respect to pain management and to view magnet therapy from a nursing perspective. DATA SOURCES: Extensive review of the world-wide scientific literature and of scientific peer-reviewed journals regarding magnet therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Magnet therapy is gaining popularity; however, the scientific evidence to support the success of this therapy is lacking. More scientifically sound studies are needed in order to fully understand the effects that magnets can have on the body and the possible benefits or dangers that could result from their use. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Credibility for advanced practice will be established across disciplines as nurses demonstrate their ability to critically evaluate practices. Alternative therapies are accepted and used by many patients today. While magnet therapy is popular, the scientific evidence to support its use is limited, at best. Advanced practice nurses have more effective treatment modalities in their repertoire and are advised to avoid practices for which efficacy is unsupported.
DrO
Member:
Lamepony

Posted on Friday, Dec 19, 2003 - 2:49 am:

Just an update..FYI..maybe the magnets helped or maybe we are just VERY lucky, but I got the boots which the vet said to try and the horse is doing great. Of course we are still very careful and limit his riding to careful and slow work but he walks and trots great and last week did a 10 mile trail with no problems. The farrier said his hooves looked slightly better too (he has a terrible problem growing good hoof). We will keep the boots even if just to make ourselves feel that we are doing all we can. The vet says it is time to move him to cantering so we may be back in business completely soon. I still believe that the most important thing in the horse's recovery was rest and a new farrier but I can't help thinking the boots may have helped him along too.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Dec 19, 2003 - 6:34 am:

You may think that Anne, but it sounds like you were well on your way to healing before you started what can only be called kindly: unsupported by scientific research.
DrO
Member:
Paul303

Posted on Monday, Dec 22, 2003 - 9:07 pm:

Ummmmmmmm Iusedmagnetstoo, Anne. But my then 21 yr. old QH navicular mare got to careening around so bad ( free style rollbacks and spins ), she bowed a tendon. Maybe it wasn't the magnets, but I've never put them on again. She has her Cosequin and Bute ( when needed )and her Professional Choice medicine boots for gentle trail walks. That's as spunky as I need her to be at my age. I bought them for her, after using them on myself ( except I bought cheap ones from the hardware store and taped them directly to my knees and hand ) and finding relief without pills....physical? psychological?...I don't know and I really don't care....except when I'm in an appliance store.
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