How to use Q Magnets

Method to glue Q Magnets inside braces.

Which Device Do I Use?

As with any task, you need the right tool for the job. Q Magnets can be a great friend, but with 20+ models it helps to know a little about each one to find out who’s your best friend. See the Q Magnets products page for a description of each device, including the sizes and penetration depths.

Use the Body Map to know the basic magnets for different areas.

The overriding principle of device selection is to choose a Q Magnets model that is large enough and its field penetrates deep enough to envelope the target tissue. See our device selection  guide to learn how the size, width and number of poles affect the field penetration. 

• Smallest devices (QF10-2 & Q6-1.5) are the best fit for the smallest joints, such as fingers and acupuncture and trigger points.
• Medium sized devices (QF20-3) are the best fit for medium sized joints such the elbow and ankle.
• The largest devices (QF28-3 & OF50-3) are the best fit for the larger joints such as the knee, shoulder, hip, lower back and sacroiliac joint.

The most commonly used devices are the QF28-3 and QF20-3 which is why they are packaged in the General Use Bonus Set.

As a general rule, the larger devices such as the QF28-6 and QF28-3 should be used centrally over the spine and over the larger deeper nerves such as the sciatic nerve.

The smaller Q Magnets such as the QF20-3 and QF15-2 should be used peripherally over areas such as the elbow and wrist and the smallest models QF10-2, Q6-1.5 used on trigger points. With each pain episode, you may require a larger Q Magnet and as the pain diminishes substitute with a smaller device to maintain your pain free state.

The smaller devices such as the QF20-2 have a lower profile, hence may be more comfortable for daily use. The Q6-1.5 is very small and only requires a small round plaster to apply it to the body, hence it is very comfortable and inconspicuous to wear, but has a shallow penetration and a very small active surface area and is unlikely to be effective over the lower back or neck or the larger joints such as the hip, knee, shoulder, ankle and elbow where the biggest devices are required.

The largest Q Magnet, the OF50-3 has the advantage of covering a larger active surface area (the active surface area of the Q Magnet is the boundary line between the alternating poles, this is where the magnetic field gradient is at its steepest) and penetrates to around 35 mm or 1.4 inches. Whereas the QF28-6 and QF28-3 models cannot cover two adjacent spinal levels such as L4/5 and L5/S1 since they have to be separated by an inch or 2.5 cm, the OF50-3 can cover two adjacent levels which can make all the difference if required. 

Where To Place Q Magnets?

Use the Body Map to follow the basic placements.

For long term pain, you may need to follow the dermatomes and place a Q Magnet centrally over the appropriate spinal segments. See the page on Dermatomes and Central Sensitization to better understand the mechanisms of pain and Q Magnet application.

See articles on training and protocols further down this page to find even more ideas, case studies and protocols on Q Magnets placements. We’re truly thankful to acupuncturists and experts such as Dr. Niemtzow who in this case found a new placement for knee pain which is not a standard placement and one that we would not have recommended, or even thought of! 

How Long should you continue to Wear your Q Magnets?

A simple answer is as long they continue to work and when the pain returns if they are removed.

If you have had the pain for many months or years, they might need to be worn on an off for many months until you gradually wean off.

For recent minor aches and pains, simply keep them on until they are no longer required which may be a matter of days.

See here for a more detailed description.

Body Map – Where is Your Pain?

Learn to apply Q Magnets for pain relief based on area of pain. Use the body map or the links to learn more about Q magnets selection, placement ideas, case studies, and reviews for local application to reduce pain.

• Head
• Tooth or Dental
• Jaw/TMJ
• Neck
• Shoulders
• Upper back
• Elbows
• Wrists
• Abdominal and menstrual
• Lower Back
• Hips
• Legs
• Knees
• Ankles
• Feet

More Articles on Applying Q Magnets – Training & Protocols

Listed below is our ever-growing collection of discussions on Q Magnets application and pain treatment protocols based on acupuncture and physiotherapy research.

If you are a professional practioner,  we hope you find these articles useful and we are always eager to hear your feedback.  Please feel free to write to us if you have any questions or would like to contribute to our blog or collaborate with us on research.

Access our Research Section to see the scientific evidence in form of case studies and clinical trials for the use of magnetic field therapy for abdominal & genital pain, cervical headaches, whiplash, wrist fracture, trigger point pain, post operative pain, chronic low back pain & more!