HOPE FOR ARTHRITIS SUFFERERS -- 19 October 2012

UPDATE 19 OCTOBER 2012 --- A survey also established that having a salt bath such as real sea salt, Epsom salt or even ordinary cooking salt is relieving the pains.

Pensioner, Johnny Franks, 85, is over the moon. He found a cure for his crippling arthritis.

He saw an advert for copper insoles but the price of £29.93 was too high for him. He had suffered for 15 years and could hardly bend his knees without excruciating pains.

One day he went to the bank and there he saw the word copper on one of the bank slips. That did it. He went home and stuck the two pence copper coins in his socks but this was too painful. Then he went and glued four two pence coins on top of his inlaid soles, two on the front and two on the heal of each insole. After a few weeks he noticed an improvement. Furthermore, he saved himself a lot of money.

Now he wants to spread the good news. He can walk without pain and lift his legs up halfway up his body and kick out.

His wife of 61 year Nanette, 81, thought at first it was a funny idea but is now highly delight with the result.

Frank thought of selling on his idea but the Royal Mint has stated he is not allowed to use currency for his design. This decision is not only mean but if it helps it would be far less costly than any other treatment because it needs only eight two penny pieces and surely the Royal Mint could produce these extra coins without effort.

Professor Alan Silman, medical director of Arthritis Research UK explains: “When copper comes into contact with sweat, copper salts seep from the insoles and some of these salts may be absorbed via the skin

“However, there is no evidence that arthritis is caused by a shortage of copper in your body and it is not known whether the absorption of copper salts has a genuinely impacts on arthritis pain.”

Copper has been praised for relief of pain and inflammation in joints. The idea is that the mineral is absorbed through the skin and circulates through the body.

In some animals trials it showed that copper supplements has slowed down the tissue damage in arthritis sufferers.

So far there was never any human trials made but now there is one at Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust and the result will be available at the end of the year.

Copper is an essential nutrient and critical for haemoglobin synthesis, connective tissue metabolism, bone development and nerve function. Especially old people suffer of copper deficiency.

The copper bracelets which are on the market and praised as arthritis treatment are controversial. The bracelets have not shown real evidence so far but it is stated they are not harmful. Doctors are sceptical but if it helps sufferers it is still better than tablets which always have side effects.