Catspaw, you probably are aware of this information, but the Mayo Clinic has a good, brief article on herniated discs on their website now. (Don't know if you have the problem, but since you mentioned it). Your tale of Cletus and Rafferty I have preserved somewhere in my computer (like any filing cabinet, I don't remember where) and is worth repeating. In the late 19th C. and early 20th, electric-magnetic gadgets were sold to the gullible; quite a number of makes. I have been looking for one to give my physician daughter-in-law, but they are in demand by collectors of old medical gadgets and tools.
The Mayo Clinic site is: Mayo Lots of good advice there.
It is really sad to hear about people putting their trust in snake oil peddlers and over-the-border charlatans when something serious is wrong. Luckily, most who use things like copper or magnetic bracelets, unproven herbal remedies and "certified organic foods" (reminds me of the store here that advertised "genuine furniture") don't really need serious treatment.
Faculties at major medical research institutions DO investigate all likely leads, and when something is tested and shown to be safe and effective, it is added to list of useful nostrums.