Sept. 18, 2013 -- Copper bracelets and magnetic wrist straps have no real effect on pain and swelling in rheumatoid arthritis, a new study finds. They also seem to have no effect in preventing the disease from getting worse. The practice of wearing copper bracelets to help RA has been popular since the 1970s. Belief in the healing power of magnets and the practice of wearing magnetic objects to help symptoms of arthritis is a centuries-old tradition.