ACU-DOTS, 1979
Hidecki Irabu, pitcher for the New York Yankees, caused a stir
in 1997 when he appeared on the field wearing small circular bandages
affixing not gauze, but MAGNETS! And Mr. Irabu is not alone: football
players, golfers and other athletes are wearing magnets these days.
The Museum of Questionable Medical Devices collection contained an identical product from
the 1970's:
ABOVE: 1979 Acudots, six patches shown.
ACU-DOT Magnetic Analgesic Patches promised "temporary relief of occasional
minor aches and pains of muscles and joints." Promoters of magnetic
cures believe that magnets attract the iron in blood thereby increasing
circulation (and sometimes, oxygen in the blood). The increased circulation
then relieves pain and causes the cure. But iron in the blood is a
mineral, not a metal, and is not attracted to magnets. The Minneapolis
Star Tribune reported that there is "no scientific study in any of
the major medical journals supporting the [magnetic cure] claims."
Credits: Analgesic Patches, 1979 on permanent loan from the U.S.
Food and Drug Association.. See John Hendren, "Doctor is skeptical
about magnets, but believers aren't waiting for proof," Minneapolis Star
Tribune, July 31, 1997, p. E3.
More on Magnets . . .
Views on Acupuncture
Acupuncture,
Qigong, and "Chinese Medicine"
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Museum of Questionable Medical Devices
http://www.museumofquackery.com/devices/acudot.htm
updated 4/13/13
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