Arthritis Copper Bracelets: Are They Effective?

The popularity of arthritis copper bracelets as treatment for arthritis should come as no surprise, considering that copper has been in used for centuries to combat joint pain.  But how effective are these bracelets and should you be interested in them as treatment for arthritis?

Copper bracelets, along with magnetic bracelets, are some of the most common products advertised in magazines and the internet that are supposed to treat arthritis.  Claims have been made as to the copper bracelet's effectiveness and if testimonials are to be believed, copper bracelets may be the easiest, most accessible and comfortable treatment for arthritis available today.  But how is a copper bracelet supposed to work and more importantly, does it actually work?

Meet the Mineral

Copper is a brownish-red element, probably one of the very first metals used in early civilizations to produce objects.  Prehistoric people have also used copper and it is, in fact, a widely used metal known for its excellent conductivity properties and resistance against corrosion. 

Copper is also one of the essential minerals that the human body needs in order for it to produce hemoglobin and collagen.  Collagen is one of the important components that make up the bones and connective tissues.  It can also act as an antioxidant, capable of fighting free radicals and preventing damage to cells and block adverse reactions in genetic material.  As a form of treatment for ailments and disorders, copper has been in use since ancient times when the Greeks applied it as remedy for arthritis.

How A Copper Bracelet Is Supposed To Work

Since the copper bracelet is worn around the wrist, continuously touching the skin, trace amounts of copper are supposed to be absorbed through the pores.  Once the element has entered the body, it's supposed to be carried throughout by the bloodstream, improving circulation and oxygen flow. This action also promotes the efficient use of nutrients, which nourishes the joints and helps reduce swelling and pain.

A study performed in the 1970s involving the use of copper bracelets to treat pain claimed that the bracelets reduced in weight over time, something that the study assumes as proof that the copper was truly being absorbed by the body.  The study also claimed that the bracelets were successful at relieving arthritis pain.

The Problem with Copper Bracelets as Treatment for Arthritis

There are very few studies that support the use of copper bracelets for the treatment of arthritis, although copper has been a part of folk treatment for pain for hundreds of years.  The study performed in the 70s is also not very reliable, considering the way it was conducted.  Users of copper bracelets answered an ad in a newspaper, filled out a questionnaire and the results were subsequently published.  This makes the study significantly flawed and unreliable as a reference.

Another study, also conducted in the 70s, found that copper bracelets did nothing to treat arthritis symptoms.  This narrows down the proof that copper bracelets work to several undocumented reports and testimonials, most of which offer anecdotal evidence, not scientific proof...