Frequently Asked Questions - Technical
Q. How do BIOflex® magnets work?
A. BIOflex® magnets feature a series of concentric circular poles. The circles are of variable width and alternate between the N and S poles. This magnetic field configuration is optimal for modulation of cellular processes related to blood flow and pain reduction.
Studies at major universities have verified that the BIOflex® magnetic design of concentric circles of alternating polarity can consistantly relieve musculoskeletal pain. The magnets act like an electric heating pad to bring more blood to an area, increasing the nutrients and building blocks the damaged tissues need for repair. They also accelerate the clearance of toxic waste products resulting from the injury. All of this reduces swelling which irritates nerve endings, one of the major causes of post-injury or overuse musculoskeletal pain.
Q. What makes BIOflex® Magnets different from others?
A. BIOflex® magnetic fields penetrate into the tissues of the body with an effective 3D configuration to a significantly greater depth than other magnet designs. The feature of alternating poles of variable width ensures that the magnetic field will “reach” farther from the surface of the magnet than will the magnetic field of a magnet whose poles are closer together (e.g., "refrigerator" magnets).
In the case of the other magnetic patterns, the poles are immediately adjacent to one another with no gap between them. Even though the surface measurement of the magnetic flux density is greater on such magnets, the field will be no different than background just a few millimeters away from the magnet. Use of such "refrigerator" magnets to relieve, e.g., lower back pain is doomed to failure since the magnetic field at this deep site of irritation is no different than that with no magnet.
Q. What polarity are BIOflex® magnets?
A. BIOflex® Magnets feature a series of concentric circles of alternate magnetic poles that represent the most efficient pattern to achieve the proper 3D magnetic field pattern at the affected site, even as deep as several inches.
Q. Have there been any studies done on BIOflex® magnets and their effectiveness and safety?
A. There have been several studies done using BIOflex® magnets, the first at Baylor College of Medicine. The results of this study were very favorable and the study was published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in November 1997. The second at the University of Tennessee published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology in December 2002. A third study will be presented at the Bioelectromagnetics Society meeting in June 2004. If you would like to learn more, click here.
Q. What are BIOflex® magnets made of?
A. BIOflex® magnets are made of the combination of ferrite powders mixed throughout a polyethylene matrix.
Q. Do the magnets ever lose their strength?
A. BIOflex® magnets are designed for multiple applications and experience no loss of magnetic power over time.
Q. What is Gauss?
A. The "power" of a magnet is usually represented by the term Gauss, which is the measure of the level of induction of a magnet. Ten thousand Gauss is equal to one Tesla, a newer term for the same thing.
Q. Why are BIOflex® magnets lower in Gauss than some magnetic products on the market today?
A. BIOflex® magnets have the ability to “reach” into the tissues of the body at a greater depth than other magnetic designs. The feature of alternating poles of variable width ensures that the magnetic field will “reach” further away from the surface of the magnet than will the magnetic field of a magnet whose poles are closer together. BIOflex® magnets are designed to provide the proper gauss deep within the tissues.
Q. What do the terms Unipolar and Bipolar mean?
A. Unipolar is a misleading term when applied to magnets. By definition, every magnet must have two poles. Companies using this terminology are referring to a magnetic design more properly called axially magnetized. That is, one pole on one surface of the magnet with its opposite pole on the opposite surface. BIOflex® magnets have repeating concentric circles of alternating north south polarity.
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