Faster Recovery from Contact Injuries
Rugby players trialling Q Magnets reported benefits in resolving muscle haematomas from impact injuries. Some observed a cork improving by a day or two, helping them return to training earlier.
What This Means During the Season
Earlier return to training may support both individual preparation and overall team performance during high-demand competition weeks.
When Every Training Session Counts
In elite sport, even small recovery gains can influence readiness across the week.
Western Force
When we first introduced the Q Magnets to the Western Force team there were many of the boys laughing at the concept and calling it placebo. At this infant stage of trialling the Q Magnets a number of players have found benefits in helping to resolve muscle haematomas from trauma playing rugby. The players who have used the magnets believe the magnets have improved a cork by a day or two from the normal healing time. This means they can get back on the training pitch earlier in the week which help their preparation and the teams preparation to perform at the highest level.
Rob Naish
Emirates Western Force
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do Q Magnets work?
Q Magnets are designed to create localized static magnetic field gradients using multipolar magnet geometry. Unlike simple bipolar magnets, Q Magnets use alternating poles within one device to produce a more complex field pattern.
The proposed biological effect is not based simply on magnet strength. Instead, Q Magnets are positioned through Field | Dose | Placement:
Field: multipolar geometry and localized gradients.
Dose: magnet size, field strength, tissue depth, exposure time, and cumulative use.
Placement: accurate positioning over or near the relevant nerve, joint, soft tissue, acupressure point, or referral pathway.
Research and theoretical work suggest that steep static magnetic field gradients may influence neuronal membrane excitability and ion channel behaviour. This may help explain why correct placement and model selection are so important.
Q Magnets should therefore be understood as precision field-based recovery tools rather than general-purpose magnets.
2. Since placement of Q Magnets is critical, how does one find the specific placement?
The simplest starting point is to place the Q Magnet over the area of tenderness. This may be suitable for local pain patterns such as a tender tendon, joint, muscle area, or minor localized injury.
However, placement is not always obvious. Pain may be referred from another area, influenced by nerve pathways, or related to spinal segments, acupressure points, or sensitized neural structures. In these cases, multiple Q Magnets may be used along relevant nerve pathways or related anatomical regions.
This is where Field | Dose | Placement becomes practical. The field must be appropriate for the target, the magnet size and exposure must match the depth and tissue, and the placement must be accurate enough to expose the intended area to the field gradient.
For example, a local sting or tennis elbow tenderness may respond best to direct placement over tender spots. A radiating nerve pattern may require placement closer to the relevant spinal level or nerve pathway. Acupressure-style placements may also be used in some protocols.
For most users, the Body Map is the best starting point because it gives recommended placements and magnet combinations. More complex pain syndromes may require guidance from a practitioner with knowledge of anatomy, neurology, physiotherapy, or acupuncture-style point selection.
3. How do I apply the Q Magnet device?
Q Magnets can be applied using sports tape such as Fixomull, Hyperfix, or Cover-Roll, double-sided adhesive patches such as QFix28, QFix6 plasters for smaller models, braces, elastic supports, bandages, headbands, or the Flux Attachment Plate for suitable clothing applications.
The key is to hold the magnet securely in the correct position. Q Magnets depend on accurate placement, and even a small shift may change the field exposure at the target area.
See How To Use Q Magnets.
For longer use, many people prefer a brace, wrap, elastic support, or clothing-based attachment method rather than repeated taping. For sport or movement, make sure the magnet cannot slip, detach, or attach unexpectedly to metal equipment.
Always apply the magnet with the correct side facing the body and the orientation arrow aligned as directed.
4. Do Q Magnet devices mask pain?
Q Magnets are not intended to numb an area like a local anaesthetic. They do not work like lidocaine, opioid medication, or pain-relieving drugs that temporarily block or override pain perception.
Their proposed role is more closely related to nervous system modulation. Laboratory and theoretical work suggests that steep static magnetic field gradients may influence nerve excitability and membrane behaviour, especially where sensitized nerves are involved.
A Roth-proof way to explain this is: Q Magnets may help create a localized field environment that supports reversible neuromodulation. They are not designed to “switch nerves off” permanently or hide an injury that needs medical care.
If pain is severe, worsening, unexplained, or associated with injury, swelling, weakness, numbness, fever, or other concerning symptoms, seek appropriate medical advice.
