Attractive Alternative: Arthritis Bracelets

Continued From << Arthritis Bracelets

What Makes Magnets so Attractive to Therapists?

Another form of alternative therapy exists in the use of magnets, which magneto-therapists claim can help certain parts of the body through the forces exerted by magnetic fields. Magnetic bracelets are now marketed for a variety of uses, including a supposed ability of magnets to promote circulation, and thereby rid the body of toxins faster.

Magnets have also been built into jewelry straps, the soles of shoes, and blankets, and even water is treated or magnetized. Although this supposed therapy is popular, it is regarded by some as a pseudoscience and laws exist to restrict anyone who markets it as health therapy.

There have been some scientific tests carried out to test the effectiveness of magnet therapy, at least in the context of alleviating pain due to carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as chronic low back pain. Studies have shown that there was no substantial change from the norm because of magnet therapy.

Although there are no publicized studies of the effectiveness of magnet therapy for treating arthritis, the United States Food and Drug Association, or the US FDA, heavily regulates marketing magnet therapy for treating conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, or cancer.

Sidebar: The next article in this series is on arthritis copper bracelets.

Moreover, the claim that magnets can stimulate and move the iron in the blood cannot be substantiated. The iron in the blood, which is bound to hemoglobin, is also unable to attract magnets, so this claim should not be taken seriously.

Other magnet therapy proponents claim that the human body has its own magnetic field, and that any sickness sets this magnetic field off; a magnet, therefore, should help restore it. Some argue that it has been proven to be untrue. For instance, many physicists work in laboratories where they are exposed to extremely strong magnetic fields. These magnetic fields are well defined and measured, but there is no evidence that shows that physicists working in such laboratories are healthier than other people.

If you are offered arthritis bracelets, you have two choices. You can either buy the bracelet, especially if it is attractive and can go with most of your clothes; but you still have to continue engaging in your arthritis therapy, take your medication, and get a little bit of exercise regularly. Or you can simply refuse to buy it if you don’t think that it will do you any good.