Ionized bracelet

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Ionized bracelets, or ionic bracelets, are a type of metal jewelry purported to affect the chi of its wearer. The Q-Ray and Bio-Ray bracelets are the most well known brands of ionized bracelets, and while they are similar to magnetic or copper bracelets, they are considered separate products.

In October 1973 Manuel L. Polo investigated the effects of different metals on humans, believing that some metals offered a benefit when worn. This led directly to his creation of the Bio-Ray (Biomagnetic Regulator), the first ionized bracelet.[1] Years later in 1994, Andrew Park bought a Bio-Ray bracelet while visiting Barcelona. Believing that it had reduced his lower back pain, he was inspired to found QT Inc., which began manufacturing and selling Q-Ray bracelets in the United States by 1996.[2]

The effects noticed by Polo and Park could very well have been the placebo effect. It is known, at least, that ionized bracelets have no significant effect on muscle pain relative to the placebo effect,[3] despite claims to the contrary by the Q-Ray manufacturer, QT Inc. These claims were the topic of a 2003 injunction by the Federal Trade Commission[4] and later a high-profile court ruling in 2006.[5] As part of this ruling, QT Inc. has been permanently barred from making any claims related to pain relief. The Canadian government has taken a much broader stance by disallowing any specific claims within Q-Ray television commercials, reducing them to a montage of testimonials and vague suggestions. In other countries, many benefits besides pain relief have been touted by marketers. Usually this is explained as being similar to acupuncture therapy and its abstract manipulation of a body's chi.[6]

In a Marketplace interview, Charles Park, president of Q-Ray Canada, explains that the term "ionized" does not mean the bracelets themselves are ionized, but rather that the term comes from their secret "ionization process" which, he asserts, affects the bracelets in undisclosed ways.[7]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Main Page - Bio-Ray http://www.bio-ray.org/ing/index.html
  2. ^ A Q-Ray timeline. http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2007/11/14/a_qray_timeline/
  3. ^ Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2002. 77:1164-1168.
    "Effect of 'Ionized' Wrist Bracelets on Musculoskeletal Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial"
  4. ^ FTC halts deceptive pain relief claims. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2003/06/qtinc.htm
  5. ^ Court Rules In FTC's Favor In Q-Ray Bracelet Case, http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/09/qray.htm
  6. ^ How does Q-Ray work? http://www.naturesbracelets.com/increase.html
  7. ^ Meet the little bracelet that raises big questions. http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2007/11/14/buying_belief/

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