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