Posts Tagged ‘magnetic’

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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The Heart Hospital of Austin just became the first hospital in the world to use a new technique, approved by the FDA in August 2008, to successfully treat a patient with peripheral artery disease (PAD).  Called Stereotaxis RF Power Assert Magnetic Guidewire, the technique employs the use of magnets for better control and improved accuracy in removing plaques from clogged vessels, in this case the patient had a 100% blockage in the main artery of one of his legs. Once the blockage is reached, the tip of the guidewire can burn a small passage through the blockage, allowing physicians to then use existing techniques to open up the blockage further. Peripheral artery disease affects 12 million Americans, and if left untreated, it can cause ulcerations and gangrene that significantly increase the risk of losing a limb.

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