According to Mayo Clinic, the body needs copper to maintain health. The mineral plays a role in bone growth and nerve function, as well as aids the body in using iron. Basically, a person can get copper by consuming dietary sources such as liver, shellfish, whole grains, nuts and beans. Copper also can be absorbed into the body through the skin by wearing a copper bracelet. This is an alternative therapy some people use to alleviate the symptoms of certain medical conditions.
Relieving Arthritis Pain
The Arthritis Foundation reports that while there is no scientific evidence to date supporting the notion that wearing a copper bracelet can help ease the pain of arthritis, neither are there any studies proving that it does not work. Although there have been arthritis sufferers over the years who have relied on wearing copper bracelets for pain relief, there have been those who experienced no effect. Dr. James McKoy, a rheumatologist in Honolulu, Hawaii, explains that recent theories look at whether the salts in copper have antioxidant properties that would act to prevent free radicals from damaging joints further. On the other hand, there is the concern that not enough copper salts can be absorbed through the skin from a bracelet. Dr. McKoy says that while more research is needed on the benefits of copper bracelets for relieving bone and joint pain, wearing a bracelet usually causes no side effects, and therefore, it can’t hurt to give it a try.
Treating Copper Deficiency
Because the skin serves not only as a barrier, but also as an entryway into the body, it may be practical to use copper bracelets to treat copper deficiency. An article published by “Scientia Press” points out that in cases where gastrointestinal disorders, chronic inflammation or physiological changes due to aging interfere with the body’s copper absorption, copper bracelets might be more effective than getting copper from dietary sources or oral supplements. One theory is that while healthy individuals may absorb copper more slowly from a bracelet, the rate at which copper is absorbed into the body increases when a person is suffering from a chronic disease.
Placebo Effect
Another possible explanation for the alleged healing powers of copper bracelets is that they induce a placebo effect on some individuals. Given that a placebo effect is a measurable or perceived improvement in a person’s health, wearing a bracelet can have a positive psychological impact on people who believe that it will help them to feel better. An article published in the February 2009 issue of “Scientific American” says studies suggest that placebos can even help those who do not believe in them. In other cases where wearing a bracelet seems to help, symptoms of disease really may improve for reasons unexplained.
