Arthritis Bracelet
A placebo-controlled study involving 300 people that compared copper bracelets to bracelets painted to look copper had a surprising outcome. A significant number of subjects who wore the copper bracelets said they obtained relief. The copper bracelets lost weight which could theoretically mean copper was absorbed by the wearer. (Walker WR, Keats DM. An investigation of the therapeutic value of the copper bracelet- dermal assimilation of copper in arthritis/rheumatoid conditions. Agents Actions 1976; 6:454-459) This study has not been duplicated by others. While it is possible to have a copper deficiency, it’s unlikely a person can absorb a significant amount of copper through the skin. It’s much easier to get copper through a balanced, daily multi-vitamin nutritional supplement. If you absolutely have to have a copper bracelet, get an inexpensive one that hasn’t been treated to prevent tarnishing so at least the copper will be in contact with your skin. Similar claims have been made for magnet therapy. Some have claimed that magnets can increase circulation and reduce inflammation are largely unsubstantiated. There are many magnetic devices for sale, such as bracelets, mattresses and pads. There are ongoing investigations into magnetic therapy, but many of the results obtained to date have been conflicting. There are varying suggestions as to how magnets are supposed to work. One theory is that the iron in the magnet stimulates heme production of the blood, controlling the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream. Another proposes that magnets can change abnormal energy fields back to normal, while others still refer to stimulation of acupuncture points, nerve signals and chemical processes. Certainly the claims made by companies manufacturing the devices, that the electric currents they produce improve blood circulation and boost general health, are not supported by current scientific evidence. In a news release dated May 18, 2004, it was reported that the Federal Trade Commission charged California-based marketers of the “Balance Bracelet,” a purported pain relief product, with making false and unsubstantiated claims. In its complaint filed in federal district court in Los Angeles, the FTC alleged that Media Maverick, Inc. of San Luis Obispo violated the FTC Act by deceptively claiming that the Balance Bracelet is a fast-acting, effective treatment for many types of pain. According to the FTC, clinical testing found that ionized bracelets, such as the Balance Bracelet, are no more effective at relieving muscular and joint pain than placebo (non-ionized) bracelets. The FTC is seeking permanent injunctive relief, including redress to consumers who purchased the Balance Bracelet. The Balance Bracelet is a C-shaped metal bracelet that is allegedly “electro-polarized” by an undisclosed process. The defendants promoted the bracelet through nationally disseminated 30-minute infomercials and on the Internet at www.balancebraceletusa.com. Their advertisements allegedly claimed that the Balance Bracelet relieves arthritis pain, joint pain, back pain, and injury-related pain, among other things. The defendants’ advertisements also allegedly claimed that pain is caused by excess static electricity in the body, which purportedly comes from an imbalance of positive and negative energy, and that the Balance Bracelet returns the body to its “natural ionic balance.” The Balance Bracelet sells for $79.90, plus shipping and handling. In May 2003, the FTC charged the marketers of a similar product, the Q-Ray Ionized Bracelet, with making false and unsubstantiated pain-relief claims as well as failing to honor their advertised money-back guarantee. The defendants in the Q-Ray case entered into a stipulated preliminary injunction halting the pain-relief claims for the product. That case currently is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Some enterprising companies manufacture a magnetic copper bracelet with titanium and zinc... Sounds like they’re covering all the bases. On the flip side...if a person believes something will help them and it does (placebo effect), that’s a good thing. Recent studies in neuro-immunology indicate that T-cell function may be altered by beliefs. The major concern is that unscrupulous manufacturers will take advantage of gullible and unsuspecting consumers.
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