Product Information Coppermag More Information
| 05 August 2009
Introduction
Magnets
Is there reason to believe that magnets can improve health? The use of magnetism for medical therapy dates back centuries to ancient Greece, where the Greek physician, Galen was noted to use loadstone (a naturally-occurring magnetic rock) in the treatment of pain. The use of magnetism for medical treatment has continued throughout the centuries. However, medical proof of it’s efficacy has been lacking. It wasn’t until recently that researchers started looking closely at magnets in the treatment of pain. Interestingly, pulsed electro-magnetic therapy has been accepted and utilized by orthopedists for over 25 years in the treatment of non-healing fractures. In Japan, a study by Suzuki and Arichi divided patients with shoulder pain into 2 groups; one treated with high-strength magnets and one with low-strength. Within 4 days, 82% of the high-strength treated group reported significant improvement vs. 14% in the low-strength group.
In 1997, a study at Baylor College of Medicine by Carlos Valbonna MD, looked at muscular pain in post-polio patients. This double blind study showed a reduction in muscle pain in 76% of the patients treated with magnets compared to 19% in the placebo group. The above mentioned studies used permanent magnets. (The typical solid metallic type which have a north pole and south pole). Another type of magnetic therapy uses a pulsed electro-magnetic frequency device (PEMF). These are electromagnets which are rapidly cycled on and off at varying frequencies. There are dozens of well done, blinded, controlled studies evaluating the use of PEMF’s in a variety of medical conditions. The studies show significant improvements in numerous medical conditions including neck and shoulder pain, tendinitis, wound healing as well as bone and ligament healing. The amount of quality research and clinical studies demonstrating beneficial effects with PEMF’s for pain, inflammation, and healing is substantial. While there are not as many studies for permanent magnets, the studies that have been done do demonstrate positive effects in terms of pain and healing. At this point, based on current research, there is no reason not to believe that magnetism can play a role in the treatment of pain and inflammation as well as a number of other disorders. Clearly, more research is needed. However, given the complete absence of side effects with magnets, there is no reason not to try them!!
Copper
Is there a reason to believe that copper can improve health?
Copper is one of the essential metals required for normal metabolism including growth, bone formation, fertility, nervous system development, nerve function, and connective tissue formation. It was first recognized as being beneficial for rheumatic disease back in 1939 when it was noted that Finnish copper miners were unaffected by rheumatism as long as they stayed in the mining industry. Subsequently, it was found that patients with sciatica, muscle pain, bursitis, tendinitis, disc herniations and osteoarthritis of the knee improved with copper taken orally.
Historically, copper bracelets were used by the ancient Greeks and Romans to relieve aches and pains centuries ago. In 1976, Walker, Griffin and Keats demonstrated in a single blind cross-over study that wearing a copper bracelet had some therapeutic value in arthritic patients. Additional studies have demonstrated that copper is dissolved by sweat and then is absorbed through the skin. Research has shown that surgically induced wounds in rats healed significantly faster when they were treated with copper, suggesting that copper promotes tissue repair. In addition, after the wound was healed, the collagen was more organized in the copper-treated rats. Numerous studies have shown copper to have strong anti-inflammatory effects possibly due to modulation of prostaglandin or histamine synthesis. There are currently copper containing compounds which are used topically for enhancing healing of mild burns and insect bites as well as for muscle spasms and acne. Given the complete absence of side effects with topical copper, There is no reason not to try it!!
Parts List
2 Coppermags 50 Custom tape patches
Soft-tissue Pain– Etiology & Treatment
Etiology
There are many soft-tissue structures that can cause persistent pain such as muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. The most common source of pain is muscle, and includes disorders such as myofascial pain syndromes and fibromyalgia. Tendinitis and bursitis are other common painful conditions which are typically caused by inflammation due to overuse.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS)– This disorder is one of the most common causes of chronic muscular pain, and is most frequently found in the cervical region. It is characterized by the presence of hypersensitive areas in the muscle called trigger points. These points are painful on compression, and classically refer pain to another area distant from the trigger point. When compression does not cause radiation of the pain, it is called a tender point instead of a trigger point. Myofascial pain syndromes are usually caused by trauma, acute muscular overload or chronic overuse. Once present, trigger points can persist for years, particularly when perpetuating factors are present such as poor posture, stress, inactivity, weakness, and dietary or metabolic deficiencies. Typical symptoms include painful muscles around the neck or back, stiffness, and restricted movement. Additional symptoms include dizziness, sweating, tinnitis, tingling, cold sensitivity, and weakness.
Fibromyalgia– Similar to myofascial pain, but the pain is more widespread, involving multiple areas of the body. The pain also does not demonstrate trigger points which radiate pain, but rather tender points which are locally tender. This disorder is frequently associated with fatigue, poor sleep, irritable bowel syndrome and depression. The symptoms tend to wax and wane, and are flared by exposure to cold, sleep disruption, over-exertion, infections, and psychological stressors.
Tendinitis– This condition is typically caused by overuse of a tendon, which results in small micro-tears in the tendon or at the attachment to the bone. This area can become inflamed, and is often associated with swelling, redness, and warmth. Typical locations include the shoulder, elbow and knee.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)– This syndrome refers to a number of disorders which can cause compression of the nerves, arteries or veins in an area called the thoracic outlet located at the base of the neck. Risk factors include the presence of an extra rib at the base of the neck called a cervical rib (present in 0.2 % of the population), long necks, rounded or droopy shoulders, weakness of the shoulder suspensory muscles, and tightness of the neck muscles (particularly the Scalenes). In the susceptible individual, the syndrome can be triggered by trauma, poor posture, or repetitive arm use (particularly overhead activities). Typical symptoms include upper extremity pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness as well as swelling, discoloration, and cold sensitivity. Pain can also be seen in the neck, face, head, and chest.
Treatment
Over the last 5,000 years, numerous methods of treating soft tissue pain have been proposed– some of which help, while others border on quackery. Some of the more common techniques include therapeutic heat and cold, electrical stimulation, massage, acupuncture, and medications. Many of the above mentioned forms of treatment are either expensive or have risks of side-effects. During recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in several forms of treatment which have been around for centuries, including copper and magnetism.
Copper
Primarily works as an anti-inflammatory most likely by modulating prostaglandins or histamines. It has been shown to be helpful for aches and pains associated with arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, and bursitis.
Magnetism
While much is unknown regarding the biological interactions with magnetic fields, surprisingly, there is a fair amount that is known.
Documented biological effects due to exposure to an electromagnetic field include changes in cellular calcium, modification of cellular enzymes and receptor / messanger behavior and increased protein synthesis. Examples are increased collagen synthesis in fibroblasts, increased proteoglycans in cartilage, and increased osteoblast activity in bone. There are over 1000 well controlled scientific studies investigating the biological effects of electromagnetic fields. The most likely reasons for magnets improving health are as follows:
1.Dilate blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow
2.Release of endorphins
3.Alters the ph
4.Relaxes muscles
5.Stabilizes nerve cells
6.Increase protein synthesis
7.Reduce inflammation
While the exact mechanism is not known, it seems clear that magnets do provide relief of symptoms for many people, particularly for pain and inflammation.
Technical details on magnets
What is a magnet?
Magnetic materials get their magnetic properties from the electrons in the material they are made from. The electrons in the atom interact to give rise to a magnetic moment. Typically, these magnetic moments are randomly oriented, and therefore the substance is non-magnetic. In some substances, the magnetic moments can be forced to align themselves in one direction by heating and cooling the substance in a strong magnetic field. The substance has now become magnetized.
What type of magnet does the Copper-mag use?
There are many different types of magnets available, including rubber, ceramic, alnico, and neodymium. The Copper-mag uses only rare earth neodymium magnets. These are very expensive, but are the most powerful magnets commercially available. They are rated at 10,800 gauss (27MGO). The magnet is composed of neodymium (Nd), Iron (Fe), Boron (B) and few transition metals. They are known as rare earth magnets because the element Neodymium is classified as such in the lanthanides section of the periodic table of elements. For Biomagnets, the side of the magnet which attracts the north pole of the earth is called “Bio-South” (also known as positive). The pole is usually labeled with the color red. The side which attracts the south pole of the earth is labeled “Bio-North” (also known as negative). This pole is usually labeled with the colors blue or green. The magnets on the Copper-mag are oriented for Bio-North because experts in the field of magnetism feel that Bio-North or negative has more of an anti-inflammatory effect on tissue.
Development of the Copper-mag
Over the last 25 years, we have seen incredible gains in knowledge and technology in medical science. Unfortunately, there has been little progress in the treatment of chronic soft-tissue pain. Treatments that are available often have significant side-effects. Bear Technologies was founded in 1990 with the goal of developing treatment for soft-tissue pain which is both effective and without side effects. In reviewing medical literature, we were impressed with both copper and magnetism, noting that both of these have been demonstrated to be beneficial in the treatment of pain and are completely safe with absolutely no side effects!! We believe that by combining the copper and magnetism in one device, the benefits of both forms of treatment are provided, and there are still no side effects.
Using the Copper-mag
Using the Copper-mag is simple and straight forward. You can use anywhere between 1 -4 Copper-mags at the same time. By following the steps in this section, most people see improvements within 2 weeks, and sometimes within hours of using the Coppermag. Current research indicates that around 80% of people will receive relief of symptoms.
Applying the Copper-mag:
Once the area for application is determined, simply peel the tape-backing off, and attach the tape to the Coppermag as in diagram 1. Now press the device onto the skin. The tape sticks best to clean, dry skin. After the Coppermag has been worn for several hours, you will notice a green discoloration on your skin. This is normal, and is due to the copper reacting with the skin to form the copper ions which are providing the anti-inflammatory effect.
Determining where to place the Coppermag
There are two different methods that can be used to determine placement of the Coppermag, either placing the device directly over tender points, or placing it over accupressure sites. The most common method is placement over tender points. You may want to experiment on your own and see what works best for you.
Placement over tender points:
Press around the area of interest with your index finger until you find the most painful spot. Place the Coppermag right over the tender spot and secure with the tape. For headaches, try placing the Copper-mag over the temples on each side. While wearing the Copper-mag, it can be beneficial to either tap on the device or apply pressure to it for 5-30 seconds frequently during the day. This can increase the effectiveness of the device by enhancing the endorphins, and further stimulating the tissue and nerves.
Here are a few examples:
Placement over acupressure sites:
Refer to figure 2 for the classic acupressure sites. Place the Copper-mag on any of the points near the location of your pain. You will need to switch the locations periodically and experiment on your own until you find the most effective locations. As can be seen, there are dozens of acupressure points for each area. In order to simplify treatment, a number of practitioners have classified and prioritized the pressure points according to physical complaints, thereby decreasing the number of points. These are called potent points. The most common physical complaints in patients with soft-tissue pain include neck pain, low back pain, shoulder pain, and headaches. Potent points for these problems are outlined in figures 3-5. For more detailed information on potent points, refer to the references section of this manual, p. xx. Similar to above, it is recommended to tap or apply pressure to the Copper-mag while wearing it.
Recommended wearing times:
The copper-mag is extremely safe, and can be worn continuously without any side effects. Most people start with wearing it continuously for 3-5 days, then start alternating days as they obtain some relief. Ultimately, you may find you only need to wear it once every week or two. Everyone is different, and you will have to experiment on your own to find the right frequency of use.
Stretching for soft tissue pain:
As mentioned in previously, stretching is a very important part of the treatment for soft tissue pain. As we grow older, we should spend even more time stretching since flexibility decreases with age. Inflexibility is a frequent cause of chronic soft tissue pain. Over time, muscular imbalances can develop which leads to poor posture which then leads to the development of trigger/tender points. In addition, tight muscles are more prone to muscle aches. A minimum of 5-10 minutes of general stretching should be performed daily; preferably more. For additional resources on stretching, refer to the references section.
Guidelines for stretching:
1.Isolate the muscle to be stretched, then slowly and gently move into the stretch as far as it will comfortably go. Do not force the stretch beyond what is comfortable! Stretching should not be painful.
2.Hold each stretch for 20-60 seconds, and repeat each stretch at least 3 times.
3.Stretch slowly and gently; do not use bouncing or ballistic techniques, as these are less effective and can cause injury.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
What caused the green dot on my skin?
This is normal, and is due to the copper reacting with the sweat on your skin to form copper salts. These salts are absorbed by your skin and provide an anti-inflammatory effect.
What types of conditions can the Copper-mag be used?
It is useful in many types of painful disorders including chronic muscular pain, fibromyalgia, sprains, strains, tendinitis, bursitis, and headaches.
Where did the Copper-mag come from?
Magnet therapy and copper therapy have both been used for thousands of years, dating back to the ancient Greeks and Chinese. BEAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Was the first to introduce the combination of copper and magnetism in one device.
What should I do if my Physician doesn’t want me to use the Copper-mag? Let your physician read through this manual. Remind them that this device is completely harmless, and has been shown in controlled, blinded studies to benefit a number of painful disorders.
References
Washnis, G.J.; Hricak, R.Z., Discovery of Magnetic Health, Nova Publishing Company, 1993.
Sorenson, J.R.J., Copper Complexes - A Unique Class of Anti-Arthritic Drugs, Progress in Medicinal Chemistry- Vol15, Elsevier/North-Holland Biomedical Press, 1978.
Walker, W.R., Keats, D.M., An Investigation of the Therapeutic Value of the ‘Copper Bracelet’ - Dermal assimilation of Copper in Arthritic/Rheumatoid conditions, Agents and Actions, Vol.6/4, Birkhauser Verlag, Basel, 1976.
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