Tips you told us
from your experience of RSD/CRPS

Magnets help combat the pain

From Chana - USA

I got sick, really sick from every drug I tried. I also got dopey and I really like being alert so that was unacceptable. What I use for pain that works for me is MAGNETS. I tape little magnets, from 1000 gauss (See Note 1) to 9000 gauss (See Note 1) onto small areas like each toe and I wear soles with magnets that I bought in the pharmacy. I also wear magnet ankle chains that I made from two magnet bracelets and I wear a magnet bracelet. It may sound crazy, but it absolutely helps me with no side effects. When I try going without the magnets, it gets really unbearable. My doctor also told me to take a warm Epsom Salt bath (with 5 handsful of Epsom Salt in the full tub) each day. That helps me get moving in the morning.
I have to give credit to the doctor who advised me to use the magnets, Harvey Klein, MD, Director of The Pain Therapy Center. He treated my RSD and suggested that I use magnets for pain relief and to reduce swelling and inflammation . His center is located at 515 Ave I, Brooklyn, NY 11230, tel # 718 253-1414.
On his suggestion, I had tried one magnet overnight and got amazing relief. After that I began to increase the areas that I wore the magnets. Now I wear a little one on each toe in which I get weakness, burning and/or pain. I also wear them on my knees, my ankles, and my wrists and I wear soft magnetic soles in my slippers and shoes. Without them, I often cannot put weight on my feet or wear any sort of shoe. I have absolutely no side effects from the magnets.
I do not have a problem with drowsiness because I do not take any of the medications that most people take for RSD. Each one I tried made me dreadfully ill. It was as bad or worse than the RSD pain. I had to find other ways to get pain relief between nerve blocks and epidurals. Dr. Klein helped me to find alternate pain therapies. Magnets is one of them.
Dr. Klein explained, "Magnets give relief because iron is the core ion of the haemoglobin molecule. Haemoglobin in turn is the oxygen-carrying component of the red blood cell. The hallmark of RSD is ischemia (see Note 2) which is diminished blood flow to the affected body part. The magnet attracts the iron in the haemoglobin molecule, thereby increasing blood flow to the area. Increased blood flow brings fresh oxygen (See Note 3) in to the area, which allows for increased healing and decreased inflammation. Decreased inflammation means less pain."

Keep up the wonderful work you do. We need you.

NOTES
1 electromagnetic unit of magnetic induction
2 reduction of blood supply to part of the body
3 note a possible connection here with the successes reported from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy