Iron Bracelets - Do They Work?

Recently we came across this question and decided it would be best to post some more information regarding this. This is what we were asked.

Q.

I recently came across a new kind of sports enhancement bracelet. Apparently it emits positive ions that are good for you. The bracelet is also a watch. There are credible scientific studies on positive ion therapy and apparently positive ions are good for you. They are used to treat seasonal affective disorder (although the result of the study does go on to cast doubt about its findings).

The question is whether it is possible for positive ions to affect your good health and if so whether a bracelet can deliver enough positive ions to have any effect at all. It would also be beneficial if you have any links to medical studies on these devices.

So here is the answer we provided with a little more information.

A.

Related questions: Do those hologram bracelets do anything at all? and also Has electromagnetic therapy been proven effective?

The only FDA approved study that has any claims for the benefits of ions is for the use of air filters. Any other claims are beyond the scope of any studies, and rely on the gullibility of customers. The fact that "Lithium Ion" batteries exist may add confusion for the consumers, but is a totally different thing. There are no credible studies on these bracelets, so you will not find any links backing up their claims. And see the bolded quote below. The Web MD article that the company used as a "reference" again refers to machines that actually expend electricity to generate negative ions in the air. And as the article itself sates, in relation to relieving depression, or having added benefits against allergies:

It's too early to tell for sure

But again, keep in mind that machines are required for this process, not a plastic bracelet with a hologram on it.

This is an excellent opportunity to practise grass roots scepticism. Ask yourself: By what mechanism is this supposed to work? How does the proposed mechanism align with what we know about science, biology, physics, etc.? Also, you may be interested to know that in some countries, Power Balance must state that they have no actual scientific backing for their claims. The Placebo band is just as effective, and much cheaper.

What sort of demo was done at the expo? Was it Applied Kinesiology by any chance? That is a well known bit of deliberate deception.

A quote from the first link:

Power Balance bracelets promise to improve balance, strength and flexibility and feature some lofty endorsers: Shaquille O’Neal, Drew Bree's and Nicole Branagh, an Olympian from the University of Minnesota. Yet the maker of the $30 bracelets admitted this week that there’s no scientific evidence that the things actually work.

The producers of Power Balance bracelets have sold them by the millions around the globe. They adorn the celebrity wrists of Robert de Niro and Kate Middleton, among others. The hologram-embedded rubbery bracelets “work with your body’s natural energy field” in ways similar to “concepts behind many Eastern philosophies,” the Power Balance website explains.

These claims got the attention of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which compelled Power Balance to issue a letter that was published in various media outlets Down Under.

“We admit that there is no credible scientific evidence that supports our claims,” the company wrote. “Therefore we engaged in misleading conduct.”

Also, while not a strict debunking of the exact device you link to, I found this interesting write up at JREF. I think the quackwatch link may provide you with additional information.

How to Debunk Biomagnet Therapy in Less Than a Minute

Written by Brandon Peterson
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 10:32

I recently had the opportunity to attend The Amaz!ng Adventure 5. While at Grand Turks, our final port, I was wandering through the duty-free shop looking for deals on liquor (Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel for $39!) when I happened upon a tableful of woo. Seeing as I was a medical student on a skeptical cruise, I had to stop and have my wife help make this video.

In my off-the-cuff video, I didn’t have the opportunity to mention the lack of scientific evidence for their claims. Even if the magnetic field did penetrate the skin, it still would not stimulate blood flow because the amount of iron in blood is far too small. If blood did have a strong magnetic attraction, your body would explode in an MRI (which would be cool, I admit).

I also didn’t have time to discuss the clinical trials that have been performed to evaluate efficacy. As usual with CAM research, earlier poor quality studies were weakly positive (1,2), while more recent high quality studies and meta-analyses are definitively negative (3,4,5).

I also forgot to mention the numerous court rulings in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s against companies making false claims about these products. This issue is discussed extensively on Quackwatch for those interested (6). In a nutshell, companies that fraudulently claimed to treat specific illnesses (arthritis, diabetic neuropathy, migraines, etc.) were sued. Now, they use nebulous phrases such as “support the healing process” or “restore natural energy.” You know, phrases that have not been evaluated by the Federal Drug Administration and are not designed to diagnose, treat or blah blah blah.

In short, magnet therapy is a great case study of CAM. The lack of scientific plausibility, the progression of the medical literature, and the FDA Miranda Rights statement are all characteristic of CAM. And if a lowly medical student can debunk it is less than a minute, how good can it really be?

1. Harlow T, Greaves C, White A, et al. Randomised controlled trial of magnetic bracelets for relieving pain in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. BMJ 2004; 329:1450-1454

2. Vallbona C, Hazelwood CF, Jurida G. Response of pain to static magnetic fields in postpolio patients: A double-blind pilot study. Archives of Physical and Rehabilitative Medicine 1997; 78:1200-1203.

3. Winemiller MH and others. Effect of magnetic vs sham-magnetic insoles on plantar heel pain: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA2003; 290:1474-1478.

4. Pittler MH. Static magnets for reducing pain: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. CMAJ 2007; 177(7): 736-42.

5. Cepeda MS, Carr DB, Sarquis T, et al. Static magnetic therapy does not decrease pain or opioid requirements: a randomized double blind trial. Anesth Analg 2007; 104. 290-294.

6. Barrett S. Magnet therapy: a skeptical view. Accessed March 15, 2010. Available at http://www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/QA/magnet.html

I will note that there are things that electromagnetic fields can do to the human body. In particular the neural effects if placed about the head (see God Helmet). However, the main thing to do when dealing with claims like this is to ask yourself: By what mechanism is this device claiming to work? How does this align with what we know about biology, chemistry, physics, etc.? Does the claimant use language that would be high on the crankpot index?

If you are starting to see a trend here, that is because there is one. There is no known mechanism for these things to work, and their claims are well beyond what the science would indicate.

Manual therapy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

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See also: Bodywork (alternative medicine)

 

Manual therapy, manipulative therapy, or manual & manipulative therapy is a physical treatment primarily used by physiotherapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, and osteopaths to treat musculoskeletal pain and disability; it most commonly includes kneading and manipulation of muscles, joint mobilization and joint manipulation.[1]

 

Definitions

Manual therapy may be defined differently (according to the profession describing it for legal purposes) to state what is permitted within a practitioners scope of practice. Within the physical therapy profession, manual therapy is defined as a clinical approach utilizing skilled, specific hands-on techniques, including but not limited to manipulation/mobilization, used by the physical therapist to diagnose and treat soft tissues and joint structures for the purpose of modulating pain; increasing range of motion (ROM); reducing or eliminating soft tissue inflammation; inducing relaxation; improving contractile and non-contractile tissue repair, extensibility, and/or stability; facilitating movement; and improving function.

A consensus study of US chiropractors [2] defined manual therapy as "Procedures by which the hands directly contact the body to treat the articulations and/or soft tissues."

Alternatively, Korr (1978) described manual therapy as the "Application of an accurately determined and specifically directed manual force to the body, in order to improve mobility in areas that are restricted; in joints, in connective tissues or in skeletal muscles."

Use

In Western Europe, North America and Australasia, manual therapy is usually practiced by members of specific health care professions (e.g. Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Osteopathic Physicians, Physiotherapists/Physical Therapists, and Physiatrists).[1] However, some lay practitioners (not members of a structured profession), such as bonesetters also provide some forms of manual therapy.

A survey released in May 2004 by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine focused on who used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), what was used, and why it was used in the United States by adults age 18 years and over during 2002. According to this recent survey, manipulative therapy was the 3rd most commonly used NCCAM classification of CAM categories (10.9%) in the United States during 2002 ([1] table 4 on page 10) when all use of prayer was excluded. Consistent with previous studies, this study found that the majority of individuals (i.e., 54.9%) used CAM in conjunction with conventional medicine (page 6)

Information

A number of professional peer-reviewed journals specialize in the dissemination of information associated with manual therapy. The Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy, Manual Therapy, and the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics are PubMed indexed journals that have provided readers with useful research on manual therapy for over 15 years. Peer reviewed information has improved the quality of information that is provided to practicing clinicians and has dispelled a number of myths commonly associated with manual therapy.

 

Styles of manual therapy

There are many different styles of manual therapy. It is a fundamental feature of ayurvedic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and some forms of New Age alternative medicine as well as being used by mainstream medical practitioners. In one form or another it is probably as old as human culture itself and is a feature to some degree of therapeutic interactions in traditional cultures around the world.

 

• Acupressure
• Anma
• Body work (alternative medicine)
• Bone setting
• Bowen Technique
• Chiropractic
• Cranio-sacral therapy
• Dorn method
• Joint manipulation
• Joint mobilization
• Spinal manipulation
• Spinal mobilization
• Massage therapy
• Manual lymphatic drainage
• Medical acupuncture
• Muscle energy technique
• Myofascial release(MFR)
  • Naprapathy
  • Osteopathic manipulative medicine
  • Polarity therapy
  • Rolfing Structural Integration
  • Seitai
  • Sotai
  • Shiatsu
  • Traction
  • Tui na

What Is WAD? An Introduction to Whiplash Associated Disorders

What is WAD? An Introduction to Whiplash Associated Disorders

Whiplash is a term that is used fairly loosely to refer to a type of injury where a person’s neck is subjected to a sudden force causing it to rapidly accelerate and then decelerate. This motion often leads to various associated injuries ranging from minor strains and bruising to severe neurological damage and permanent impairment.

‘Whiplash’ is most common in motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) and many professionals such as insurers, solicitors and employers working with third party claimants should be familiar with the complaint.

In fact, due to the prevalence and notoriety of MVAs and journey claims, anybody working in any capacity within worker’s compensation will, therefore, often come across the term ‘Whiplash Associated Disorder’.

Because so many of our clients will come into contact with someone suffering from a whiplash associated disorder, in a very brief form, the current context of recommendation in relation to whiplash injuries is seen below to assist with understanding what a whiplash associated disorder actually is and, most importantly, what it implies.

Quebec Task Force

In 1991 the Canadian car insurance industry raised concern regarding the frequent use of the term “whiplash” for any neck injury relating to a motor vehicle accident and the inconsistent treatments which were being recommended and implemented.

The Canadian car industry decided to set up a task force of experts to investigate the following in relation to whiplash injuries:

◦   Risk and occurrence

◦   diagnosis,

◦   prognosis, and

◦   treatment recommendations.

A total of over 10,000 publications were reviewed and recommendations were made based on the evidence identified by these experts.

The result was a document entitled the Quebec Task Force Guidelines for Whiplash Associated Disorders.

Among the recommendations was a classification of the types of whiplash injuries;

◦   WAD O – No complaint about the neck. No physical sign(s).

◦   WAD I – Neck complaint of pain, stiffness or tenderness only /  No physical sign(s).

◦   WAD II – Neck complaint AND musculoskeletal sign(s). / Musculoskeletal signs include decreased range of motion and point tenderness.

◦   WADIII – Neck complaint AND neurological sign(s). / Neurological signs include decreased or absent deep tendon reflexes, weakness and sensory deficits.

◦   WAD IV     Neck complaint AND fracture or dislocation.

This classification system allows for consistency in research and also in supporting prognosis and treatment. Once diagnosis is provided and the classification of WAD is given, the next task is to identify standard recommendations to address the level of injury.

In our next post some of the criticism which has been applied to the Quebec Task Force will be discussed and we will outline what the WAD recommends in terms of prognosis and treatment.

We will also begin to look at how the industry has evolved internationally in response to the WAD classification and what it means within Insurance, Legal and Rehab settings.

This information was taken form Overland Health Website, you can visit their page for more information on  http://www.overland-health.co.uk/blog/

Physiotherapy and clinical Pilates

Physiotherapy and clinical Pilates

The last decade has seen a growing body of research supporting proximal stabilisation for management of spinal injuries. Poor control and lack of endurance of trunk musculature are associated with low back pain. Researchers have developed a range of criteria for training "core control".

With the focus now on control of muscle rather than strength a "new" approach had to be taken to meet the criteria.

The Pilates (Pi-lart-ees) system of exercise been popular amongst performers for many years. With a basis of submaximal /variable resistance work in potentially unstable positions it had many of the right ingredients to satisfy stability training criteria. The exercises can encourage efficiency and submaximal muscle control by using variable (i.e. spring loaded) resistance and movement. To execute the exercises properly a stable, controlled pelvic and shoulder girdle is established with load facilitating both deep and global stability musculature.

Clinical Pilates description



The Clinical Pilates program has been developed by Australian physiotherapist Craig Phillips since 1990 to develop training of functional stability by progressing static stability into dynamic. Drawing on the original work of Joseph Pilates the program needed refinement to improve safety and highlight the components valid in stability training and injury diagnosis and management.

Developed specifically as a treatment tool for physiotherapists, Clinical Pilates is unique as a tool for establishing differential diagnoses, identification of radiological false positives / false negatives, establishment of outcome predictors  and  application of pathology specific exercise programs. 

DMA Clinical Pilates is the first to use real time ultrasound to determine if muscle activation patterns are being achieved. As a result changes had to be made to the traditional Pilates approach as a predominance of "bracing" activity was being consistently noted instead of appropriately sequenced, controlled tonic activity of the deep stabilisers.

Movement dysfunction often leads to pathology and vice versa. Low level Type 1 endurance musculature is the primary focus of stability training, and the aim is for early onset, at low loads, of both the local / deep stabilisers such as transversus abdominus and the deep multifidus and the more superficial global stabilisers such as the oblique / superficial multifidus, latdorsi etc. The difficulty in getting patients to activate stability musculature is because low % maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) required for stability and postural control is not as easy to "feel" as higher % MVC.

Therefore the exercises must facilitate and challenge those muscles irrespective of whether the patient is consciously aware of the muscle activity or not. If the muscle is to act as a background to movement it stands to reason that it should then be trained in the background and a "movement pattern" developed .Stability training must progress from the static to the dynamic and incorporate the connection between the shoulder and pelvic girdles. Static isolated muscle activity does not guarantee carry over into the dynamic situation. Load and movement are key factors in muscle activity so "if you want a muscle to do a job it must have a job to do" and it must be appropriate.

Injury management with clinical Pilates

An important issue in stability training is the effect of pathology. Pathologies are generally load sensitive as well as direction sensitive. Therefore if a pain producing pathology exists it must be determined if it has a direction preference. The neutral position required for ideal posture may in fact be provocative in the initial stages leading to pain, hence, muscle inhibition. Unloading the pathology in either flexion, extension or off center may well protect the pathology and allow muscle activity to occur. With progression, neutral is incorporated and eventually the provocative position used to determine the "threshold of function" of the injury.

As the research and knowledge develops in this area it is encouraging to know that the CLINICAL PILATES program can be "tuned" to both satisfy the guidelines of the researchers and meet the needs of the clinician.

Frequently asked questions related to Physiotherapy

Today's post is dedicated to those frequently asked questions have about physiotherapy.

Q: What is physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy uses a variety of techniques to help your muscles and joints work to their full potential. It can help repair damage by speeding up the healing process and reducing pain and stiffness.

Physiotherapists also have an important role in rehabilitation, for example, helping people who have had strokes to relearn basic movements. However, physiotherapists don't just offer treatment, their advice can help you prevent problems returning or even happening in the first place.

Q: What types of problem can physiotherapy help?

Virtually any condition that affects your muscles, joints or nerves. Common problems that can be helped by physiotherapy include:

•   Painful conditions such as arthritis

•   Back and neck pain, including whiplash

•   Problems affecting children including cerebral palsy

•   Pregnancy related symptoms such as back pain and stress incontinence

•   Upper limb work related problems, also known as repetitive strain injury (RSI)

•   Asthma and other breathing difficulties

•   Sports injuries

•   Strokes and other neurological problems

•   Symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Q: What does the treatment involve?

Before any action is taken, the physiotherapist will assess your condition, diagnose the problem and help you understand what's wrong. They will work with you to develop an effective treatment plan that takes into account your lifestyle, leisure activities and general health. This will include advice on how you can help yourself, for example, you may be shown exercises that you can do between treatment sessions. Where appropriate, physiotherapists also advise carers how they can help.

Physiotherapists use a variety of treatments. For example:

•   Exercise programs - designed to improve mobility and strengthen muscles

•   Manipulation and mobilisation - to reduce pain and stiffness

•   Electrotherapy - for example, ultrasound to speed up the healing process

•   Acupuncture - used by some physiotherapists qualified to practice this technique

•   Hydrotherapy - exercise in water

•   Massage.

Q: What should I do if I injure myself? Do I need to be referred by a MD, or can I make an appointment to see a physiotherapist immediately?

If the nature or extent of your orthopedic injury is unclear, you must make an appointment for a consultation with your personal medical physician or specialist. The specialist may in turn recommend x-rays, medication or any other course of action, which is deemed appropriate, including perhaps physiotherapy.

If, however, you are very familiar with your injury, and you know that a physiotherapist can address it, you may choose to skip the medical consultation and make an appointment directly with our physiotherapy services. But remember, when in doubt about the nature of your injury, consult a physician. These consultations are fully covered by Medicare, so there's no need to gamble.

Q: How effective is physiotherapy?

Physiotherapists measure their clinical effectiveness by the same standards applied to other health professionals, including doctors and nurses. This is done through independent research to prove that physiotherapy works. For example, studies show that exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation, led by physiotherapists, results in a reduction of sudden death rates after a heart attack by 25 per cent. There is also strong evidence that physiotherapy is an effective treatment for back pain.

To ensure physiotherapists in Quebec apply equally high standards, the Order des Physiotherapeutic du Quebec, the professional body representing physiotherapists, circulates guidelines based on research to all its members.

Thanks you reading our post. If there is anything we left out please feel free to comment your question below, we'd be happy to help you.