# Copper-it does work for chronic pain! I am living proof! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 17, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526 "2012-07-17T15:15:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526/21 "2012-07-17T18:09:31Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > If you scroll up to the top of the page you’ll see a large blue banner that reads “THE STRAIGHT DOPE”. Underneath that is a slimmer red banner that reads "FIGHTING IGNORANCE SINCE 1973(IT’S TAKING LONGER THAN WE THOUGHT). > Three guesses as to why it’s taking longer. And the forum name is what again, oh yeah, In My Humble Opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526/22 "2012-07-17T18:12:56Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > And the forum name is what again, oh yeah, In My Humble Opinion. So why do you want to suppress the opinion that spreading medical woo is a bad idea? Are you pro-censorship when it comes to pointing out facts and revealing fraud? ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526/23 "2012-07-17T18:14:35Z")
Oh, for fuck’s sake. I’m so tired of having this argument. Here’s the thing: even if we agree that every word the OP says is true, even if it truly is the copper bracelet that truly did stop her truly real pain, that still tells us next to nothing about how useful copper would be as a general treatment. The skeptics here don’t necessarily have to claim that she’s lying or mistaken; even if what she says is true, no one can say that they KNOW that copper fixes pain. There’s a vast amount of person-to-person variation that has not been accounted for. Without properly designed studies that take into account all the possible confounding variables, we don’t know whether it works. More importantly, neither does the OP. And that’s the most generous way there is of interpreting her claim and still keeping to rational thought. ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526/24 "2012-07-17T18:17:29Z")
> [@nonimahony](#): > > ..how do Physicians re-start a heart? - exactly- electricity… Actually, physicians use the electricity to **stop** a heart. In fibrillation, the individual heart muscle fibres are still working, they’re just not coordinated. The big shock shuts them all off, so when they start up again they’re working in sync. Common mistake. So given that, will your copper bracelet stop my heart? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526/25 "2012-07-17T18:17:37Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Oh, for fuck’s sake. I’m so tired of having this argument. > > Here’s the thing: even if we agree that every word the OP says is true, even if it truly is the copper bracelet that truly did stop her truly real pain, that still tells us next to nothing about how useful copper would be as a general treatment. The skeptics here don’t necessarily have to claim that she’s lying or mistaken; even if what she says is true, no one can say that they KNOW that copper fixes pain. There’s a vast amount of person-to-person variation that has not been accounted for. Without properly designed studies that take into account all the possible confounding variables, we don’t know whether it works. More importantly, neither does the OP. And that’s the most generous way there is of interpreting her claim and still keeping to rational thought. That’s supposing that double-blind studies haven’t already been done that show that this type of “medical” treatment doesn’t work. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526/26 "2012-07-17T18:32:56Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > So why do you want to suppress the opinion that spreading medical woo is a bad idea? Are you pro-censorship when it comes to pointing out facts and revealing fraud? But that’s not what you did. Even if she pulled this bracelet out of a magic unicorn’s ass, she claims it worked. You doubt that too? I don’t have to buy her scientific method to understand she’s happy she’s no longer in pain. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526/27 "2012-07-17T18:37:39Z")
Yeah, yeah, yeah, we’re assholes because we demand evidence of performance. You realize your way has us curing snakebite by looking at brass snake replicas, right? So and so said it worked; there’s no need to test it, are you calling so and so a liar? ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526/28 "2012-07-17T18:37:45Z")
> [@leahcim](#): > > Actually, physicians use the electricity to **stop** a heart. In fibrillation, the individual heart muscle fibres are still working, they’re just not coordinated. The big shock shuts them all off, so when they start up again they’re working in sync. Common mistake. > > So given that, will your copper bracelet stop my heart? Isn’t a pacemaker electric? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526/29 "2012-07-17T18:44:22Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > But that’s not what you did. Even if she pulled this bracelet out of a magic unicorn’s ass, she claims it worked. You doubt that too? I don’t have to buy her scientific method to understand she’s happy she’s no longer in pain. [Yes, I doubt that it works.](http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/copper-and-magnetic-bracelets-for-arthritis/) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526/30 "2012-07-17T18:45:43Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > But that’s not what you did. Even if she pulled this bracelet out of a magic unicorn’s ass, she claims it worked. You doubt that too? I don’t have to buy her scientific method to understand she’s happy she’s no longer in pain. I’m pretty damn happy when I’m inebriated…but it’s never actually made any of my problems go away. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526/31 "2012-07-17T18:48:17Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > But that’s not what you did. Even if she pulled this bracelet out of a magic unicorn’s ass, she claims it worked. You doubt that too? I don’t have to buy her scientific method to understand she’s happy she’s no longer in pain. I doubt her claim it works. I don’t doubt her belief it worked. It worked because of the placebo effect, or because the problem healed itself (the body is an amazing self-healer), or whatever. It’s bad enough that we have to be polite to these people in person to get along. I refuse to buy it online. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526/32 "2012-07-17T18:57:10Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > [Yes, I doubt that it works.](http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/copper-and-magnetic-bracelets-for-arthritis/) Only she knows the answer to that. Copper bracelets are an old wive’s tale. A tail that’s been around for a long time. Perhaps relief was psychological, perhaps she tried them when the pain was naturally ebbing. Regardless, she claims it worked for her. You really don’t need to grab your M-16 every time someone posts an opinion you don’t agree with. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526/33 "2012-07-17T19:03:15Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Only she knows the answer to that. > > Copper bracelets are an old wive’s tale. A tail that’s been around for a long time. Perhaps relief was psychological, perhaps she tried them when the pain was naturally ebbing. Regardless, she claims it worked for her. You really don’t need to grab your M-16 every time someone posts an opinion you don’t agree with. Once again I ask: Why do you want to censor my right to post an opinion? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Bird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Little\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Bird)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526/34 "2012-07-17T19:05:17Z")
> [@leahcim](#): > > Actually, physicians use the electricity to **stop** a heart. In fibrillation, the individual heart muscle fibres are still working, they’re just not coordinated. The big shock shuts them all off, so when they start up again they’re working in sync. Common mistake. > > So given that, will your copper bracelet stop my heart? +1. Soooo, the 20+ year nurse doesn’t know how hearts work… color me skeptical. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526/35 "2012-07-17T19:12:09Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Once again I ask: Why do you want to censor my right to post an opinion? Honestly, I don’t. I just find your statement “_It is sad that a former nurse would throw away years of training in the scientific method to embrace pseudo-scientific woo._” a bit of a cheap shot towards a new member who apparently believes she’s on to something. I think you’re smart enough to phrase that in such a way that there’s no cheap shot in it. ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526/36 "2012-07-17T19:15:44Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Isn’t a pacemaker electric? Yes, but pacemakers don’t restart a heart. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526/37 "2012-07-17T19:18:02Z")
She’s not “on to” shit. This is nothing but internet bullshit. There is no pain, she is not a nurse. She is probably a he and is selling something. Anybody falling for any of “her” total bullshit is deluding themselves. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526/38 "2012-07-17T19:22:46Z")
> [@Lanzy](#): > > Any copper in multi-mineral vitamins? Seems a beter way to “absorb” it if there is. She said ‘topicly’ (_sic_) works better. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526/39 "2012-07-17T19:24:41Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Honestly, I don’t. I just find your statement “_It is sad that a former nurse would throw away years of training in the scientific method to embrace pseudo-scientific woo._” a bit of a cheap shot towards a new member who apparently believes she’s on to something. I think you’re smart enough to phrase that in such a way that there’s no cheap shot in it. Considering this: > [@Little\_Bird](#): > > +1. Soooo, the 20+ year nurse doesn’t know how hearts work… color me skeptical. :rolleyes: I’d say she got off pretty easy. She has either been taken in by pseudoscience that her training should guarded against, or she is just claiming to be an RN to support her claims. I am under no obligation to pretend that this stuff hasn’t already been disproved over and over and over again each and every time someone new brings it up. We are way past the “Gee, everybody’s opinion should count until more evidence comes in!” stage here. The evidence is in. It doesn’t work. The people selling these are frauds. ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526/40 "2012-07-17T19:27:01Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > She’s not “on to” shit. This is nothing but internet bullshit. There is no pain, she is not a nurse. She is probably a he and is selling something. Anybody falling for any of “her” total bullshit is deluding themselves. Seriously. Obvious spam is obvious. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-it-does-work-for-chronic-pain-i-am-living-proof/628526.md?page=3)