nikken news

superior to that observed with various

The Weintraub Report: conventional drugs,” it has the advantage
Historic Research Focuses of being non-invasive and is also less
expensive and has no side effects.

on Magsteps Many professionals believe Dr.

Weintraub’s study will become an
Text of the Nikken Press Release important scientific event in the
growing field of “energy medicine,” of
Medical College Department of
F ollowing is a portion of the text of a
press release issued by Nikken after
Dr. Michael Weintraub published his
Neurology and Medicine, and lead
academic in the study) warns:
which Dr. Weintraub says: “we must
keep an open mind.”

landmark research study: “Not all magnets are created equal! As

“Diabetic peripheral neuropathy important to the results of our tests as “If you think all those...
(DPN) is a common and often disabling any of the other control features – the claims about magnets are a
complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) randomization, the double blinding, the
placebo control – was the consistency of
bunch of hooey, think again.”
… As many as 8 million diabetics in the
United States will experience neuropathic the product technology.” — CBS News
pain at some point in their lives.”
So begins a report in the May 5, 2003, The Magsteps® used in this study are
issue of the Archives of Physical Medicine developed and marketed by Nikken, Inc.
and Rehabilitation that concludes: Nikken President and COO Kendall
“the present study provides convincing Cho says of the study:
data confirming that the constant “We are very encouraged by the
wearing of static, permanent, magnetic growing scientific interest in our
insoles produces statistically significant consumer products. For decades we
reduction of neuropathic pain.” have appreciated the anecdotes received
The insoles used in the study (which from our customers on the benefits
were developed and are marketed by they believe are associated with the use
Nikken) were described by the of our products. However, even such
researchers as a non-invasive, non- dramatic conclusions by such a
prescription product/treatment that prestigious group of medical
affords both “safety and minimal cost” professionals will not affect the way we
for more than 80 million sufferers market our products. We have many
world-wide. products that incorporate magnets,
When the Weintraub study was such as our Sleep Systems, the
published, all three networks reported The consumer product used in Dr. revolutionary new PalmMag™, the
the news: Weintraub’s test are “commercially sold Elastomag® wrist wraps (reported in a
ABC News: “Magnets may provide under the brand name of Magsteps® by previous scientific study), and other
effective relief … Dr. Michael Weintraub Nikken Inc.” wearable products. However, we do not
says it’s only a certain kind of bipolar Dr. Weintraub’s study included 48 sell our products as therapeutic devices,
magnetic insole that seems to help investigative sites in 27 states. There and we prohibit our Independent
enough to make a difference.” were 11 university-based centers and 37 Wellness Consultants from making
NBC News: “…a simple device may be private practices involving nearly 400 therapeutic claims. Nevertheless, this
able to help. … A non-traditional persons. The historical significance of study may indicate a broader range of
treatment is getting results.” this study, Dr. Weintraub says, is: benefits for magnetic products than we
CBS News: “If you think all those… “This is the first randomized, double- permit to be claimed.”
claims about magnets are a bunch of blind, placebo-controlled trial to Dr. Weintraub came to similar
hooey, think again. A new study shows scientifically demonstrate the merits conclusions in a prior study of carpal
wearing magnetic shoe insoles may help.” and clinical benefits utilizing static tunnel syndrome (published in the
The researchers are quick to point magnets. The same protocol used in Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal
out that “studies are needed … to drug studies was used for this trial.” Rehabilitation). Once again, the constant
confirm and extend these results.” And Dr. Weintraub concludes that not only wearing of a static magnet (in that case,
Dr. Michael Weintraub (New York is magnetic therapy “comparable or the Elastomag™) was effective.

18 NIKKEN FAMILY MAGAZINE • JULY 2003 . WWW.MYOFFICE.NIKKEN.COM

 nikken news
physician based in New York.
The Question Heard from Prospects: The most recent study led by Dr.
What Can Magnets Do for You? Weintraub was published in the May 5,
2003, issue of the Archives of Physical
… Just Point Them Toward the Scientific Research Medicine and Rehabilitation, part of the
respected family of American Medical
Magnetic Technology. It gives your soles
A challenge faced by many Wellness
Consultants who market magnetic
products starts something like this:
100% magnetic coverage.
Prospect: And what will that do?
Association publications.
“This is the first randomized, double-
blind, placebo-controlled trial to
You: I’d like you to take a look at these Ah, the big question. What do scientifically demonstrate the merits
magnetic insoles. This is the product magnets DO? and clinical benefits utilizing static
that started Nikken back in 1975. Wellness Consultants have an magnets,” Dr. Weintraub said. “The
Prospect: What will they do for me? agreement with Nikken that includes same protocol used in drug studies was
You: The pebbly surface of these the following statement: used for this trial.”
insoles is based on an idea from “Wellness Consultant understands For those prospects who like to see
Japanese public baths. Isamu Masuda, that products are not considered and are detailed scientific literature, we offer
the man who founded Nikken, noticed never offered or intended as medicines below an abstract from the Weintraub
that walking on the pebbly floor of or medical treatments for any disease or study, which is also available online at
public baths was relaxing, like getting a disorder, either physical or mental.” the Web site of the Archives of Physical
foot massage. So he decided to You can, however, encourage your Medicine and Rehabilitation. You may
incorporate that surface into his insoles. prospects to do their own research. You find a link to the abstract atop the
Prospect: And they have magnets can point out that scientific studies Nikken corporate Web site, nikken.com.
in them? have been conducted using magnets, The only magnetic insoles used
You: Better than just magnets. The including two significant ones led by Dr. during Dr. Weintraub’s research were
entire insole uses Advanced EQL Michael Weintraub, an independent Nikken Magsteps.

Static Magnetic Field Therapy For Symptomatic Diabetic Neuropathy:

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Michael I. Weintraub, MD, FACP, FAAN Setting: Forty-eight centers in 27 states. and fourth months in burning (mean
Gil I. Wolfe, MD Participants: Three hundred seventy- change for magnet treatment, –12%; for
Richard A. Barohn, MD five subjects with diabetic peripheral sham, –3%; P<.05, analysis of
Steven P. Cole, PhD neuropathy stage II or III were randomly covariance), numbness and tingling
Gareth J. Parry, MD assigned to wear constantly magnetized (magnet, –10%; sham, +1%; P<.05,
Ghazala Hayat, MD insoles for four months; the placebo group analysis of covariance), and exercise-
Jeffrey A. Cohen, MD wore a similar, unmagnetized device. induced foot pain (magnet, –12%; sham,
Jeffrey C. Page, DPM Intervention: Nerve conduction –4%; P<.05, analysis of covariance). For
Mark B. Bromberg, MD and/or quantified sensory testing were a subset of patients with baseline severe
Sherwyn L. Schwartz, MD performed serially. pain, statistically significant reductions
Magnetic Research Group Main Outcome Measures: Daily visual occurred from baseline through the
analog scale scores for numbness or fourth month in numbness and tingling
ABSTRACT tingling and burning and quality of life (magnet, –32%; sham, –14%; P<.01,
Objective: To determine if constant issues were tabulated over four months. analysis of variance) and foot pain
wearing of multipolar, static magnetic Secondary measures included nerve (magnet, –41%; sham, –21%; p<.01,
(450 gauss) shoe insoles can reduce conduction changes, role of placebo, analysis of variance).
neuropathic pain and quality-of-life and safety issues. Analysis of variance, Conclusions: Static magnetic fields
scores in symptomatic diabetic analysis of covariance, and chi-square can penetrate up to 20mm and appear
peripheral neuropathy. analysis were performed. to target the ectopic firing nociceptors
Design: Randomized, placebo- Results: There were statistically in the epidermis and dermis. Analgesic
control, parallel study. significant reductions during the third benefits were achieved over time.

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WWW.MYOFFICE.NIKKEN.COM NIKKEN FAMILY MAGAZINE • JULY 2003 19