Magnetic Bracelets to Improve Stability

Magnetic bracelets are purported to improve stability and athletic performance. The various different brands of these magnetic bracelets all have the same general purpose of balance and athletic enhancement. Many professional athletes endorse these products, creating further interest in the bracelets' validity and ability to do what they claim to do.
  1. How Magnetic Bracelets Work

    • First of all, to get a magnetic bracelet to work, you must wear it. The functionality of the bracelets is based on the fact that injured or painful areas of the body lack proper oxygen and blood flow. Magnetic therapy bracelets fix that problem by magnetically drawing oxygenated blood flow back to the affected area to promote healing and reduce any swelling or inflammation causing pain.

    Claimed Benefits

    • Makers of magnetic bracelets claim multiple benefits simply by wearing their product around your wrist. Among these benefits are stability, balance, improved blood circulation, and pain relief from various potential causes, such as arthritis and osteoporosis. The bracelets do this through magnetic therapy by allowing better oxygenated blood flow through the area to promote healing.

    Efficacy, Validity, Reliability

    • Testing the efficacy and validity of magnetic therapy bracelets is difficult to do as a clinical trial. Clinical trials use unbiased research participants who act as study volunteers. When testing a drug, some study subjects receive a placebo so the trial coordinators can determine the affects in people with and without the active ingredient. These study participants are typically always blinded to the amount of dosage they receive, so they are unbiased. It is difficult to produce this same effect for the bracelet, due to the fact it is magnetic and magnetic objects are easily detected. Magnetic bracelet use is viewed as an alternative medicine-type method of healing, and not readily supported by medical doctors due to the lack of proof from clinical trials. There is still much debate about whether the product actually works.

    Overall

    • Overall, the benefits and ability of the bracelets to do what they claim to do is still under debate by many. While professional athletes may endorse a certain product, they are being paid for their endorsement. The only true way to see if it works for you is to try it out yourself; as with most everything, it depends on the individual and his bodily reactions, since no two people react exactly the same.

    Popular Brands

    • Power Balance is one brand of magnetic bracelets said to improve stability and balance. Power Balance has many athlete endorsements, but claims its bracelets are made for everyone, from the casual exerciser to the fitness enthusiast to the professional athlete. Trion:Z is another brand that markets magnetic bracelets to improve and enhance active lifestyles. Trion:Z calls its brand technology magnetic therapy. This therapy works when a magnet is placed over a joint or body part, then the magnet draws more blood and oxygen to that location. This can also increase healing time and help athletes get back into the game faster after an injury. Ace Magnets also offers a magnetic therapy sports bracelet for athletes and active people. These bracelets are made from copper and iron to increase oxygen flow to the blood. This affects healing and has therapeutic benefits. It helps with stability through balancing a person's "inner self" by helping take away pain and dysfunction in the body.