Magnetic and copper bracelets have been popular for quite sometime now. They have become alternative therapies used by many people to treat pain caused by various musculoskeletal diseases, such as arthritis. But do they actually work? Researchers from the UK have shown in the first randomized placebo-controlled trial that these metallic objects are, in fact, ineffective in treating pain. They say that any benefit derived from them can be attributed to psychological placebo effects. “…our findings suggest that such devices have no real advantage over placebo wrist straps that are not magnetic and do not contain copper,” said Stewart Richmond, the lead author of the study. However, he emphasizes that although these products don’t necessarily cause harm, people should be careful about spending a lot of money on products that claim to cure your ailments with magnetic therapy. The study was published in the current issue of Complementary Therapies In Medicine. [via Medical News Today]
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Tags: arthritis, bracelets, copper, magnet, magnetic, therapy
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Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
October 20th, 2009 at 5:44 am
tried it myself and found it to be totaly useless
October 20th, 2009 at 9:59 am
I as a medical doctor have done these tests for thirty years and never found one instance of magnetic therapy helping anything except the mind. I hope the world will wake up and quit wasting billions on quackery.
October 20th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I am an holistic, long-time natural health advocate and writer and I have suffered from Rhumatoid Arthritis as well as Osteo Arthritis for many years. I have used magnetic belts, neck pieces, bracelets and anklets for fifteen years and I can guarantee that they absolutely work! The studies you have are probably inconclusive because there are many “magnetic” devices in the marketplace that are magnetized Hematite or some other stone. The real, sustained and unchanging magnetic abilities of pure MAGNETITE are the ones that work. The others might work for awhile but lose their clout too soon to do any good. It’s too bad that people are taken in by these less-than-efficient stones. I am working on a booklet about this subject and have done extensive research. Trust me, they work but people have to leave them on long enough for the electromagnetics to penetrate the body. If in a lot of back pain, for example, one must leave the belt on for two or three days, but usually the pain is gone within 24 hrs. The MOST important thing is to leave them on at NIGHT when the body is in repose and, preferably, with the head facing due North. Using magnetics along with supplements and herbs I have been able to put RA into remission for the past 45 years without drugs of any kind and many doctors have been amazed at this. Just be sure to get the real stuff and USE IT RIGHT and you’ll see just how effective magnetic items can be!
October 23rd, 2009 at 7:17 am
Hmm, just wondering if this is another Raymond Royal Rife set up.
October 29th, 2009 at 10:00 am
The bracelet worked for me. I was limping terribly due to an ankle that had mant fractures. I was limping and favoring my right foot. I bought the bracelet and wore it all the time. My limping stopped. When I lost my bracelet, I started to limp again. I think it works. I am no medical professional, but I have had surgery on my ankle 6 times, and I know it works.
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:41 pm
copper bracelets arthritis…
Arthritis prevention – may seem impossible for some, but you can take steps to help prevent arthritis from occurring but nothing is guaranteed….