If you've been paying attention to the news, you may have heard that magnetic bracelets are used primarily for hand, elbow, and wrist pain. You may also know that arthritis pain suffers have discovered them, and golfers have been wearing them for years. Some people wear them as a preventative measure.

You probably also know some of the benefits claimed by those who wear magnetic bracelets. What you may not understand are the differences between the various types offered for sale. In this article I'll discuss some of the main types of bracelets so you'll know what to look for.

Although there are variations within each type, there are a few different major categories based on construction. In deciding on which bracelet is the right one for you, there are several things to keep in mind.

The basic types of magnetic bracelets are made as singles, doubles, triples, or lariats.

Singles - Single bracelets are a single strand of bead, strung on some type of line. They can be made of either all magnetic beads, or a combination of magnetic beads with accent beads of some kind. They can be either the stretchy type, or be non-stretchy with a magnetic clasp.

Doubles - Doubles are made of two strands of beads with a magnetic clasp, and give the opportunity to double the number of magnets. Doubles are normally chosen for either style, or their stronger therapy properties.

Triples - Triples are made with three strands of beads, and a magnetic clasp. They may have up to three times the number of magnets as a single.

Lariats - Magnetic lariats are also called wraps, or magnetic snake bracelets. Lariats can be used as an anklet, necklace or bracelet. They are most often seen in 36 or 37 inch lengths, and are clasp-less. They simply wrap around your wrist, neck, or ankle, and use the magnets to stay together. They are very popular because of their versatility, unique look, and number of magnets.

Now that you know the basic types, you can better make your choice. Keep in mind that style and attractiveness are secondary concerns unless you're buying strictly for fashion.

One more thought: when choosing magnetic bracelets, you want the strongest therapy advantages for pain relief that you can find. That means selecting the one with the largest number of strong magnets.