Study Confirms Magnets and Copper May Be Ineffective on Rheumatoid Arthritis

(Newswire.net — December 1, 2016) Orlando, FL — Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the debilitating conditions that impacts millions of people worldwide. Due to pain and other symptoms, sufferers are resorting to a variety of measures to improve their condition, including the use of magnetic wrist straps.

A study confirms that magnets and copper may be ineffective for rheumatoid arthritis. Magnet therapy may easily attract sufferers mainly because it is inexpensive. However, it seems that the small amount of money sufferers pay in the hopes of managing pain may end up going to waste.

A recent study published in the PLOS ONE, which is an online journal, reveals that magnetic wrist straps may not have the ability to fight rheumatoid arthritis pain or stiffness. In the same study, it was also found that copper bracelets may also be ineffective for the condition.

The researchers studied 70 individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. The participants were made to wear four different devices and every device was worn five weeks at time. These devices were a magnetic wrist strap and a copper bracelet, used as a placebo.  There was also a wrist strap believed to have a very weak magnetic field and a demagnetized strap, which was a third control device. The type of device and time when it was worn was kept a secret to the participants and researchers.

Stewart Richmond, PhD, research fellow at the University of York, in England, and the lead study author, states that they designed the research in such a confusing way to hinder the participants from knowing which device was placebo and which was real.

It was determined that wearing the devices, such as the magnetic bands and copper bracelets, did not offer any improvements in the arthritis symptoms. Some of these symptoms are tenderness and swelling in the joints as well as inflammation during physical function.

According to Eric Matteson, MD, Chair of Rheumatology at Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, MN, the study only demonstrated remarkable evidence in the lack of efficiency of magnets and copper.

There are many other pain management options that are believed to be helpful for arthritis sufferers. One is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are believed to help ease pain and inflammation.

However, since the use of these drugs may be associated with side effects, more and more arthritis sufferers are turning to the use of natural, safer alternatives such as glucosamine.

Glucosamine is believed to be a safer alternative because it doesn’t cause side effects. It is also believed to help repair cartilage damage and may even help to improve overall health.

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