I'm a (magnetic) Sole Man

My office manager, being the benevolent dicator she is, had a masseuse come in Friday and give our small staff each a 30 minute massage. What she didn’t know was that the masseuse would be hawking every type of “magnetic” thererapy gadget available. They had a very nice magnetic bracelet (100% steele with polarized magnets embedded)for sale for $150…as well as a magnetic comforter for those chilly nights for $2800…not kidding here.

Anyway- part of this guy’s schtick was to have you stand in your sock feet and put your arms straight out in front of you. He would then push down on your hands and you were to resist him. With the ladies he could easily push their arms down. Then he would ask you to step onto two magnetic insoles (available for only $60 a pair)and repeat the drill. Not trying to sound sexist, but the ladies all felt stronger and the magnet dude had a much more difficult time pushing down their arms.

When it was my turn to step onto the insoles I said “YOU step on then and let me see if you are stronger”. He declined and as a result I am the only one not invited to the Magneto-therapy Open House next Thursday…pity…

But anyway guys- Does anyone know if there is anything to this magnet therapy stuff? I think it is bunk, but do any of you use it with any success? Maybe I should be saving up for those nice magnetic boxers (available- no joke- for $85 a pair)after all…

Wrong forum, I suspect. You might find more responses in GQ or GD.

But, let me be first to say that it’s all BS.

It is conceivable that magnets have some interaction with your tissue - this is what separates this from, say, feng shui. But there is no evidence it does anything other than line the pockets of the flim-flam men.

There’s your answer right there. Rigorous tests, no! Unquestioning belief, yes!

Well, I’ll let newcrasher decide. What is it your after? Scientific responses? Testimonies?

Your answer may help me in putting this in the right forum, so you get the best responses possible.

And, before I forget: Welcome to the Straight Dope! Enjoy the ride.

How can I get this moved to the right forum? Sorry to have made my debut and first faux pas in the same move…

I am looking for testimonies. I know the hard science isn’t there per se, but I think there may be more to some Eastern remedies than Western science realizes, anf thought this may be the case here. But damn, the guy seemd like such the charlatain, and I am finding that I am really a good judge of character lately…(whole other story)