Analysis of Copper Bracelets for Arthritis: Do They Really Work?
Does a copper bracelet for arthritis really provide symptom relief? Get a full analysis of the effectiveness of copper jewelry for arthritis treatment.
You’ve probably seen the ads proclaiming that wearing a copper bracelet for arthritis can help relieve pain. It sounds so easy. Buy the attractive copper bracelet featured in the ad and place it on your wrist. Poof! Like magic your arthritis pain is gone. Unfortunately, such claims are more designed to sell product than to provide you with sound medical advice. Is there any truth to the claim that wearing a copper bracelet can reduce arthritis symptoms?
You may be surprised to learn that copper bracelets for arthritis have been used for centuries in an attempt to relieve joint discomfort and pain. Some say this practice dates back to the time of the early Greeks who used copper to relieve aches and pains. There is actually some truth to the idea that copper may play a small role in the pain relief associated with arthritis.
Some animal studies have shown that taking copper supplements by mouth may reduce the progression of joint and tissue damage in arthritis sufferers. Naturally, some enterprising marketers have taken this premise one step further by marketing copper bracelets for arthritis treatment. Unfortunately, the use of copper bracelets for arthritis hasn’t held up under close scientific scrutiny. Only one study conducted in the 1970’s showed that copper bracelets were more effective than placebo at relieving arthritis pain.
Even if a copper bracelet for arthritis won’t cure or even reduce arthritis symptoms, is there any danger to wearing one if you have arthritis? The only real concern would be if have an allergy to copper metal which is not a particularly common. In this case you would most certainly want to avoid this metal. Before placing a copper bracelet against your skin you would want to be sure it’s 100% copper and contains no lead which could be absorbed into the body with negative consequences.
Not surprisingly, there are groups of people who claim that a copper bracelet for arthritis has reduced their symptoms and even cured the disease. Is this the magical power of suggestion at work or is there some truth to the healing power of copper that we have yet to discover? Studies conducted on the effects of copper on arthritis have been rather limited and there is some evidence that copper has both an antioxidant effect as well as a pro-oxidant effect depending on the levels in the body. If it does exhibit antioxidant properties, there’s the possibility it could have a limited, positive effect on arthritis symptoms, although there are many foods that have a higher antioxidant potential without the negative pro-oxidant effect.
Analysis
If you enjoy the look of a copper bracelet on your risk and you don’t have a copper metal allergy, there’s probably no harm in wearing one if you have arthritis, but don’t count on a cure or a dramatic reduction in symptoms. Better hang on to the more conventional treatments for now.
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Grant Philpott | Jun 6, 2008 | Reply
I wonder if copper reduces the effects of toxic chemicals like chloramphenicol on our metabolism. Chloramphenicol blocks the bodies production of pregnenolone. Pregnenolone deficiency appears to be linked to arthritis.
Rawb | Feb 5, 2009 | Reply
OK many years back I had a trainer for the Seattle Seahawks tell Me that it depends on what wrist it is worn,if it is worn on the left wrist the the electrical negative ions cannot exit the body,thus it must be worn on the right wrist for any good to become ?
Whatcha got for that ?
nick | Feb 17, 2009 | Reply
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Tony | Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
I was troubled thru much of my working life by what described as arthritis. Apon retirement about eight years ago, I started brewing my beer in copper vessels and that pain has completely gone. Maybe it’s just the beer.
Pierre | Mar 5, 2009 | Reply
I was cynical, but my brother has worn a copper bracelet for 30 years now for joint pains, and when I began to get joint pains in my knuckles, I bought a three dollar copper bracelet and found the pain gone in two days. I can squeeze my finger joints without pain now for the 3 years that I’ve been using the bracelet. But it mustn’t work because the medical test was inconclusive, I don’t think so…
simon | Mar 16, 2009 | Reply
i’ve worn a bracelet off and on for twenty years. it works. if the science can’t prove it then it’s the science thats flawed. I was a sceptic, a work colleage gave me one to try. two days no pain. as i say, over the last twenty years, more on than off.
A. Alexander | May 29, 2009 | Reply
Very well balanced view. Although evidence is anecdotal and the evidence in favor is not compelling, a true controlled study would require much more than a double-blind protocol. Study subjects would need to be matched according to age, concurrent medical conditions, nutritional status, drug use (particularly NSAIDs and anti-inflammatory medications), gender, and so forth. For now,however, given the lack of evidence for harm, I think it’s worth a try.
RJ | Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
I have severe degenerative arthritis in the CMC joint of both hands; the left has no more cartilage and the right is becoming the same. I bought stainless steel magnetic bracelets yesterday and the left hand doesn’t seem to hurt as much as it did previously. I’m currently staying at a resort town on Lake Michigan and the humidity and dampness along the lakeshore has an effect on arthritis just as rainy weather and winter season does. I noticed that up here the first day.
The bracelets are certainly worth a try. I was a bit skeptical, thinking maybe/maybe not, but even if the relief is my “imagination” then I’ll still keep wearing them. I doubt magnetic or copper is going to completely cure anyone’s arthritis, but any pain relief you could get would be very welcome.
Chris | Jun 6, 2009 | Reply
I know that copper really works. Check out http://www.watchdoctorcopper.com as there is a great page of information. Also check out http://www.watchdoctorcopper.com/4-language-pack.php
Gareth | Jul 10, 2009 | Reply
I have athritis in my knees and neck, would a copper bracelet help? Or is it designed purely for people with athritis in their wrists/hands.
waydoh | Jul 30, 2009 | Reply
I’d like to get one…hell, I need 100 !!!!, my arthritis is kicking my arse!! We are having the wettest summer ever in Stamford, CT….
jonny | Aug 29, 2009 | Reply
I wear one, turns my wrist green but the knuckle pain went away,I put it away,several months down the road I started to get tennis elbo,put it back on and a few days pain went away,,placebo or not I dont care it is working for me and I bet it will work for the worst skeptic as well,,
charlotte | Oct 7, 2009 | Reply
I am a little skeptical about buying a bracelet for pain.
Should I consult my doctor before purchasing??
Is there any bracelets for pain that do not have magnets??
Thank you,
Charlotte