| 1) Do they work?
There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that suggests they do, and many people swear by them! They have also been tested in a number of different trials with positive results. Typical of these is the study reported in the Daily Mail in July this year:
"Breast cancer patients can fight the side effects of chemotherapy by wearing anti-seasickness wrist bands, say doctors. A study found that so-called acupressure wrist bands halved the symptoms of nausea and vomiting caused by the treatment."
2) What is acupressure?
Acupressure is the application of pressure to acupuncture points on the body. Acupressure is commonly applied either by hand or with a band, like the Sea Band. A band is preferred when the pressure needs to be constant over an extended period of time to provide relief, as is the case with Morning Sickness.
3) So how do the i-Trans and the Relief Band work, if they don't apply pressure?
The Sea Bands work by applying pressure to the Nei-Kuan acupressure point, whereas the i-Trans and the Relief Band stimulate the same point electrically. The net result is the same - the stimulation seems to disrupt the nausea/vomiting signalling process between the brain and the stomach - although the effectiveness varies from person to person and from one device to another.
4) Why do they seem to work equally well for Morning Sickness, Travel Sickness, and Chemotherapy - all very different ailments?
This is because in each case they treat the symptom (ie nausea), rather than the cause, whether it be too many hormones with Morning Sickness, sensory conflict with Travel Sickness, or a cocktail of drugs with Chemotherapy. Similarly, this is why they are safe to use in most circumstances and have virtually no side effects because they don't interfere with the bodies bio-chemistry - they act upon the part of the nervous system that is transmitting nausea signals between the stomach and the brain.
5) Are they waterproof?
The Sea Bands aren't affected by water, and the Relief Bands are splash proof. The i-Trans isn't quite so good in this respect, so it would be best to avoid immersing your arm in water whilst wearing one!
6) Can they be used with a pacemaker?
The Sea Bands are probably ok, but the i-Trans and the Relief Band aren't recommended. If there is any doubt at all, you should always obtain medical advice before using these devices.
7) Which one is best?
They all have their own pros and cons:
The Sea Bands are cheap, comfortable to wear for extended periods and discrete. However, they're not always as effective as the i-Trans or the Relief Band.
The i-Trans can be more effective than the Sea Bands and it's quite a bit cheaper than the Relief Band. However, it's bigger than the Relief Band and looks a bit more like a surgical device. Probably best for those who want the extra performance/peace of mind, and don't mind the looks or clunkyness in return.
The Relief Band seems to be easier to use than the i-Trans, but it does cost a bit more. However, it's also smaller and more elegant, and it seems to be a better product all round.
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