A growing number of people with near constant aches and pains are turning to a new type of alternative therapy to help them.

Magnotherapy involves using a simple magnetic device which is believed to improve the bloodflow and relieve symptoms.

Siobhan Ryan speaks to a woman who has experienced for herself the success of the method.

For 18 months, Donna Maloney suffered a constant ache in her right wrist that simply would not go away.

Doctors could not decide if she was suffering from a Repetitive Strain Injury or Carpel Tunnel Syndrome but the end result was the same.

Miss Maloney, of Medina Place, Hove, said: "I had a constant pain in my wrist and it was very weak. I had no strength in it and it was really starting to get me down.

"I had to be signed off sick from my university course because of it. I also had a shop job but there were problems there as well because I couldn't move boxes around.

"I was absolutely desperate and tried everything I could think of but nothing seemed to work.

"I have a phobia about needles but I even went to try acupuncture because I was so desperate unfortunately I passed out before anything could be done.

"That method of treatment obviously wasn't for me, so I had to try something different."

It was at this stage Miss Maloney heard from friends about magnotherapy and decided to give it a go.

She said: "I wasn't certain how good it would be but I had nothing to lose.

"After only a couple of weeks of using the magnet, the aches and pains went away.

People tend to be dismissive of so-called miracle cures but this one really does work and I am now able to live a normal life."

Magnotherapy has been used to improve health in the Far East and other areas of the world for thousands of years.

Physiotherapists in many hospitals have also used magnetic fields as an aid to improving health and recovery from injuries.

Research i n t h e UK suggested that up until the mid-Nineties, the best form of magnotherapy treatment was the pulsed Electromagnotherapy units used by physiotherapists and in hospitals.

The Bioflow magnet mimics these much more sophisticated systems using a static magnet with unique magnetic fields to improve blood flow.

The magnet is placed in a strap and worn around the wrist like a watch.

The strap should be worn all the time until an improvement is felt. This can be a few days or a few weeks, depending on the severity of the problem and how long the patient has been suffering.

Miss Maloney said: "You have to drink a lot of water while wearing it and that is an added benefit as it helps to clear out toxins and is good for your skin."

Bioflow inventor Nigel Broderick says about 90 per cent of people who have used it have experienced benefits and an easing of symptoms.

It has also worked with animals and magnotherapy has been used by vets with good results.

Miss Maloney said: "The fact that it works on animals, who have no concept about the idea, shows there is something in this and it is not all in people's minds."

Magnotherapy is being used and recommended by an increasing number of doctors, physiotherapists and sports trainers to help relieve pain, accelerate healing and improve performance.

Horsham GP Jane Elliot has heard about magnotherapy and says there appears to be something in it.

She said: "Physiotherapists will often use magnetic waves to treat injuries, so it would seem the idea of using the magnet on a wristband may have some effect.

"But I would recommend people do talk with their GPs before using it, so the exact reason for their pain can be established. If they are concerned in any way, then they should get in touch."

1/3 FOR more details about magnotherapy, call Miss Maloney on 01273 728137.