Ionised jewellery
Ionised jewellery appears in many shapes and sizes, usually peddled by homeopathic "healers" and similar charlatans, all with claims of relief from the symptoms of rheumatic pains caused by arthritis and various non-specific causes of inflammation.[1] They have a basis in various forms of woo like Traditional Chinese Medicine, including "Qi". The evidence supporting the efficacy of ionised jewellery is very much similar to that surrounding magic crystals, etc.[citation needed]
Against allopathy Alternative medicine |
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Clinically unproven |
v - t - e |
Much of the "science" behind these claims seems to be based on the fact that metals display "magical" properties, such as magnetism, electro-conductivity, "being very shiny" and making wearers feel warm and fuzzy.[citation needed]
The way these charms 'work', is that a radioactive material, usually thorium
Magic bracelets
There are different variants of alternative health bracelets. Copper bracelets, for example, are usually worn by old people claiming to have arthritis — rather than just experiencing the effects of age-related conditions — who swear that when they do not wear the jewellery they suffer immense pain.[citation needed] Diet, exercise, and basic wellness measures have all been shown to relieve if not alleviate these conditions, but why put forth the time and effort to lead a healthy lifestyle when you could just buy one of these badboys? Similarly, magnetic therapy bracelets are said to restore the body's hypothetical "electromagnetic energy balance".[citation needed]
The same lack of evidence is exhibited by ionised bracelets which supposedly affect a wearer's "Qi". The mechanism of action for the different bracelets is now completely understood, thanks to double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trials, some of them notably conducted by Jacksonville Florida Mayo Clinic in 2002, proving that no more than a placebo effect is apparent.[4][5]
See also
References
- http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5189118_do-ionized-bracelets-work_.html
- https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/Radiation/RadiationTopics/RadioactiveConsumerProducts
- http://soccerlens.com/pompeys-miracle-ionized-shirt-technology-scientific-breakthrough-or-futuristic-doping/4606/
- "Effect of 'Ionized' Wrist Bracelets on Musculoskeletal Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial" Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2002. 77:1164-1168.
- http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/10October/Pages/Copper-bracelets-and-arthritis.aspx