The Problem with Back Pain
Also known “dorsalgia”, back pain is a complex and common problem that afflicts nine out of every ten adults at one point or another in their lifetime. Although back pain can be a symptom of a serious disease or disorder, the majority of back pain is non-progressive and caused by inflammation, pulled muscles, pinched nerves, stressed joints, and even emotional triggers such as anger, stress and depression.
Because the causes of back pain are often difficult to diagnose, many people are now seeking methods of alternative pain relief that do not involve costly and potentially addictive painkillers or drastic surgery. In recent years, magnetic therapy has become a popular tool for achieving back pain relief, through magnetized back braces, patches, cushions, mattresses and other products. Many professional athletes use these products, and several have become available at sports equipment stores.
In 1997, the results of a study conducted at Baylor University in Baylor’s Institute for Rehabilitation Research in Houston indicated that magnetic therapy reduced the pain experienced by post-Polio patients. Patients who received magnetic therapy reported a significant decrease in pain, compared to patients who received therapy from inactive (placebo) magnets.
These results have piqued interest of the medical community and public in the potential for magnetic therapy to alleviate other types of pain and ailments, which is expected to be the subject of more intense study going forward in the 21st century.
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