Q. I heard a report on the radio about the effectiveness of magnetic bracelets for arthritis pain. My 85-year-old dad suffers terribly and has been taking Celebrex. We’re concerned about reports linking Celebrex to heart attacks and strokes. Heart disease runs in our family, so I want to find the bracelets for him.
Others in our family have similar concerns. I had my knees replaced in my mid-fifties, and my son in his thirties is already miserable. I need to know more.
What journal published the study? What are the specifics about the type of magnetic bracelet? I’ll be grateful for any information you can send me.
A. The study was published in the British Medical Journal (Dec. 16, 2004). Patients were randomly assigned to wear a standard strength magnetic bracelet (neodymium), a weak magnetic bracelet or a bracelet with non-magnetic steel washers.
After 12 weeks, those who wore the full-strength magnetic bracelet had significant improvement of knee and hip pain. The authors conclude that the bracelets provided relief comparable to that from standard arthritis pain medications.
We are sending you our new Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis with a variety of home remedies, anti-inflammatory herbs and other non-drug approaches. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. AA-2, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.
Acupuncture is another option. An article in the Annals of Internal Medicine (Dec. 21, 2004) demonstrates that it too can significantly ease arthritis of the knee.
The People's Perspective on Medicine