| Despite modern advances in medicine, alternative | | | | skin and into circulation. In one study, it was found that |
| medicine has always been around as the cheaper, | | | | 13 mg of copper was absorbed in one month on |
| natural option, often times being the last resort. These | | | | average by people wearing the bracelets. This being |
| alternatives usually have been passed on from | | | | an additional source of copper is believed to bring the |
| generation to generation and are at times actually | | | | beneficial effects of having copper in the diet. |
| effective. Upon research, most of them have been | | | | Copper in the body is known to be required for the |
| found to have underlying scientific basis. | | | | transport of calcium in the body and in building the |
| Arthritis bracelets are among the alternative | | | | matrix of bone. It has been found to have analgesic |
| treatments popularly embraced by consumers as aids | | | | and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies on subjects |
| to current arthritis pain management. The most | | | | wearing copper bracelets versus placebo control |
| accepted ones in the market are made of either | | | | bracelets that are coated to resemble copper have |
| copper or magnet. Although not yet conclusively | | | | been performed and they indicate possible benefits. |
| proven to be effective as claimed, they enjoy | | | | But results have not yet been conclusive enough to |
| widespread acceptance and have been reported in | | | | guarantee its effectiveness. Another concern |
| some studies to indeed have beneficial effects. | | | | regarding its use is that if indeed copper is absorbed |
| Magnets for Pain | | | | through the skin, it is being absorbed in unregulated |
| Magnets are objects that produce a type of energy | | | | amounts that might possibly lead to toxicity. |
| that is called magnetic fields. Magnets targeted to | | | | Consideration must be given to patients with zinc |
| consumers for health uses are mostly static or | | | | deficiency since excessive copper in the blood can |
| permanent magnets. Magnetic bracelets are also | | | | further lead to its depletion. |
| popularly used to relieve arthritic pain and can also | | | | Are These for You? |
| come in the form of mattresses and pads. Various | | | | Living with arthritic pain can be very crippling, and |
| manufacturers of these magnetic bracelets claim that | | | | patients searching for alternatives or other adjuncts to |
| magnets may effect pain relief by any of the following | | | | pain relief should be careful when choosing forms of |
| principles: | | | | treatments. The beneficial effects of these bracelets |
| 1. Magnets may change the the way the cells function. | | | | have not yet been proven since different clinical trials |
| 2. It may potentially affect growth and life span of the | | | | have been giving conflicting results. |
| cells. | | | | Furthermore, arthritis bracelets are not yet approved |
| 3. They are believed to enhance blood flow, therefore | | | | by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and some |
| increasing oxygen and nutrient supply to the different | | | | companies' claims of benefit have been contested by |
| organs of the body. This is believed to happen | | | | the FDA and Federal trade Commission (FTC). Despite |
| because of the presence of the metal iron in the blood | | | | these, there have been a lot of patients who attest to |
| that can be affected by magnets. | | | | their effectiveness in relieving their pain and there are |
| 4. Nerve cell response to pain is believed to be altered | | | | no reported toxicities by consumers as of this |
| by weak pulses from magnets. | | | | moment. |
| 5. It may affect the way the brain responds to or | | | | If a patient does decide to use arthritis bracelets, it |
| perceives the pain. | | | | should be borne in mind that consultation with their |
| 6. Lastly, magnets might affect white blood cell | | | | physician and proper prescribing of medications remain |
| production, which is involved in body defense against | | | | important and integral in the treatment of arthritis to |
| infection and inflammation. | | | | decrease or control pain. |
| Whatever the mechanism, the benefit from magnetic | | | | Since arthritis bracelets are not yet regulated and |
| bracelets seems clinically useful based on different | | | | standardized, it would be wise for the consumers to |
| trials performed by researchers. | | | | always check the reputation of the company they are |
| The Case of Copper | | | | planning to buy from with existing consumer protection |
| Wearing of copper bracelets was popularized in the | | | | agencies. One should also be aware of possible |
| 1970s as a means to stop arthritic pain. Copper from | | | | contraindications of magnets or copper in certain |
| the bracelet is believed to be absorbed through the | | | | disease conditions to avoid any untoward side effect. |