In general practice of Magnetotherapy, common ailments such as pain and swelling in one part or simple headache are not encountered much. Rather, multiple complaints such as cervical spondylosis with extension of pain to right or left hand along with the complaint of pyorrhea are a common occurrence.

If we take the above-mentioned example in consideration, the nature of complaints decides a specific application of magnets for all the symptoms. For instance, in this case the North Pole should be applied to the painful vertebra in the neck and the South Pole to the extremity to which the pain extends. Additionally, the North Pole should be applied to the affected side of the cheek for annihilating the infection and pus formation. In addition to this basic treatment, magnetized water should also be taken to rid the organism of pus, which circulates in the system.

Examination of Patients
in order to reach a consensus of diagnosis, thorough examination of the body is required. Any complaint of a patient should be thoroughly examined to obtain maximum information on the disease.

For Example, in case of pain in the knees, look out for the presence of redness. In case of any pain enquire whether the pain radiates to the thigh or the foot or the calves. Thorough information like if the chief complaint is accompanied by any other unrelated problems like scanty and painful urination or any disorder of menstruation in women patients should also be obtained. Observe any swelling in the neck, which may suggest enlargement of thyroid or swelling and enlargement of liver or spleen or any of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, etc.

Only when the total symptoms persisting in the whole body is studied that the accurate diagnosis is made to select a proper cure.

Interrogation of the Patient
Symptoms of a disease can be best diagnosed through the patient himself. The patient should be asked to narrate his complain in his own words. Questions should be put to him to ascertain the exact location of the pain, its extension time of aggravation of various complaints and functioning of his body systems. In women patients, information on menstruation is very important.

The above aspects will not only help to decide the correct mode of application of magnets but also the type of accessory treatment to be recommended to the patient for an Integrated Approach to the disease.

The importance of proper care taking and observation of the important symptoms play an important role in prescribing whether the north or south pole treatment is needed; or gargling with north-pole water should be recommended. In short, a magnetic treatment is based on the correct diagnosis only.

Posture During Magnetic Therapy:
The acquisition of proper posture during Magnetic therapy is also of great importance. Whether sitting, or lying down, the posture should be in accordance with terrestrial magnetism to derive-maximum benefit during magnetic treatment.

Preparing for the treatment, a patient should sit comfortably on a chair or sofa removing his footwear. It is not advisable to sit on the ground while taking the treatment, as insulation is must between the magnets and the subject.

The recipient can face any direction while taking general application. But the local application requires particular positioning of the body. While applying the South Pole locally, face the north direction and vice versa to ensure the full power of the magnetic lines of force. However, while applying the North Pole or the South Pole to the back in the sitting posture you should face the north or the south direction, respectively. Suppose the magnets are to be applied both in the front and the back, you should either face the north or the south direction. Similarly, while applying the magnets to the sides, you should sit in a way to allow the South Pole to face south and the North Pole to face the northern direction.

Keep the magnets on a table and rest your feet on a wooden plank while executing general application to the palms. Place your palms gently over the magnets with right palm on the North Pole and left palm on the South Pole. Ensure that the maximum area of the palm is in constant touch with the magnets.

Similarly, while applying the magnets to the feet, place the magnets on a wooden plank and then rest your feet on them. The right sole should be placed on the North Pole and the left sole on the South Pole. Remove the footwear before applying the magnets and replace the same after the sitting is over. This helps in the retention of magnetism for a long period.

It is important during local applications to keep a wooden plank or any other insulator under your feet before applying magnets. In certain cases such as cervical spondylosis, help of another person may be taken to hold the magnets onto the affected vertebra on the neck. Its also convenient as the patient may find it too tiring to hold the heavy magnet for 15 to 20 minutes. Similarly, the application of magnets to infants may be done in the lap of the mother or the nurse. Whatever the case, its important that the patient as well as the helper should rest his feet on the insulator.

While providing therapy to old and debilitated patients, the magnetic application should better be taken by the patient in the supine position rather than in the sitting position. In such cases, the magnets can be kept on the two sides of the patient and the hands rested on them. The magnets can also be kept under the shoulder or back in the supine position. This mode of magnetic application is found most convenient in paralytic patients. Nevertheless, Little imagination combined with common sense can guide one to choose the most appropriate seating position for the patient. For example, in case of application of magnets against painful piles, the two magnets can be kept side by side. The patient can sit over them. In case the patient finds the magnets too hard, a thin cushion may be provided over the magnets. Otherwise, alternatively general application may be resorted to in such cases.

The magnetic emanations can easily pass through cloth. As a precautionary measure, the patient should also avoid taking treatment near a fire or a direct source of heat as it may adversely affect the magnetic properties of the permanent magnets.

Duration of Therapy:
The total time duration of magnetic therapy depends heavily upon factors such as severity and length of disease, individual susceptibility, age of the patient, organs to which magnets are to be applied and the strength of the magnet. In most cases, each `sitting` should be for duration of 10 to 30 minutes. Prolonged exposure for even 45 minutes may be allowed in cases of paralysis, rheumatoid arthritis, polio and sciatica. In any case, the above-recommended period of exposure applies to treatment with magnets not exceeding 2000 gauss, and definitely not for extra-strong magnets with higher gauss powers.

It is absolutely necessary to stick to the appropriate periods of exposure as longer exposures may lead to over-excitement of tissues.

Like any other medication, every medicinal substance has a safe dose. The `dose` of magnetism for every individual should be worked out on the basis of the following considerations.

Severity and Length of Disease

Individual Susceptibility to Magnets

Age of the Patient

Strength of Magnets

Length of Treatment:
The length of treatment depends on many factors, which a magneto therapist has to consider before he can reasonably predict when the treatment will start showing results, especially in case of chronic ailments.

The major factors for consideration are as follows:

The type of disease

The degree of chronicity.

Whether the disease has so far progressed to bring about structural changes in an organ or merely functional changes have been brought

Degree of the reactivation of the patient etc.

Clinical practice, along with research has shown that the diseases of recent origins yield to magnetic treatment almost immediately. In pains and swellings occurring for the first time, the magnet works faster than any analgesic.

However, in chronic cases like asthma, a patient can experience relief after 4 to 5 sittings of 30 minutes each. Further still, in some incurable conditions like alkalosis spondylitis (condition in which the spine turns stiff like a wooden board, so that a patient is unable to bend), the magnets can only relieve the pain and improve the mobility of the spine to a certain extent. But no permanent cure may be expected.

The duration for which the patient has been suffering from the disease largely affects the duration of treatment required for a complete cure. It has also been found that the individual response of a patient to magnetic treatment has an important bearing on the length of treatment.

However, in painful and crippling conditions like arthritis, a patient can expect to feel relief after about 8 to 10 regular sittings of 30 minutes each. Not to mention that the length of treatment varies from one patient to another.

It is only after a magneto therapist has taken the case and examined the nature and severity of the disease that he can guess the length of application required. Magnetotherapy is a rational and scientific system of treatment.

Precautions during Magnetic Therapy:
Magnetic Therapy is very potent. Hence, like any other medication, this branch should also be handled with care and precautions in order to gain maximum benefits and to avoid certain unwanted reactions in certain sensitive. A consideration is necessary in the use of magnets due to their intrinsic properties of improving the circulation, generation of heat, etc. These precautions are given below.

Do not intake any cold drinks or eatables during or after the application of magnets, as they may unnecessarily dampen the effect of heat produced during application. For the similar reasons, a cold bath should also be avoided immediately after the app- ration for at least an hour. However, hot drinks can be taken during or after the application.

Immediate applications of magnets after a full meal should be avoided for at least two hours. There can be a sensation of nausea or vomiting if magnets are applied immediately after a meal. Also, the blood circulation is mainly geared towards the alimentary canal soon after meals. Hence, the efficiency of the magnetic application may be considerably reduced.

Do not apply strong or medium-power magnets to delicate parts like brain, heart or eyes. Ceramic magnets are suitable for application to these organs for not more than 15 minutes.

Pregnant women should not apply strong magnets of SEM or SUM type as these may sometimes induce abortion, especially if two similar poles such as north poles or south poles are used simultaneously. Also medium-power and ceramic magnets should not be applied directly over the womb.

Magnetized water, as a recommended medication in various diseases should be taken in moderate doses. It should not be imbibed like plain water as the treated water has altered biomagnetic properties compared to that of the latter. The over-use of magnetized water may unnecessarily over-activate an organism. This water should also not be kept within easy reach of children.

Strong encased magnets of about 2000 gauss power have immense attractive properties. Therefore they are clamped together forcefully when brought near each other. Even in slight carelessness, the fingers may be trapped in between and may be badly crushed.

Excepting the ceramic magnets, other magnets if not in use should be kept with a suitable keeper to avoid loss of magnetism. Care should be taken and the magnets should not be allowed to fall on hard ground or remain near a fire, as that may severely affect their magnetic properties.

Sophisticated electrical equipments and certain clock and may be severely damaged if brought in close vicinity of these strong magnets. Therefore, It is preferable to advise the patients applying magnets to remove their watches before commencing the application. The magnets should therefore be kept away from any electrical or electronic equipment.

Do not expose the magnets to rain or high humidity as these may slowly corrode them and may therefore necessitate repolishing and cleaning. It is advisable to replace the magnets in the polyethylene pouches, which are provided together with the magnets. This will increase their functional life.

Handing over the magnets to the patient with the necessary instructions on their application is not advisable. Unaware of the susceptibility, some patients may over-react to the application and unnecessarily become apprehensive of the treatment. Depending upon the reaction of each individual patient, the duration and mode of application of magnets should be recommended.

Never use the wrong type of pole in local applications either due to ignorance or because you are not too sure about the correct application. The north and south poles should Strictly be applied with due regard to their therapeutic peculiarities.