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Farabloc
Farabloc is a type of light fabric that is used to reduce
phantom limb pain and other types of pain such as
muscle soreness and cramping. Phantom limb pain is a
condition that occurs in most people who have lost a
limb (arm or leg). People with phantom limb pain feel
that the limb that was removed is still present and they
often feel pain (sometimes severe) and other abnormal
sensations in that limb.
The Farabloc fabric.
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The pain and abnormal sensations are typically in the form of stabbing, cramping, or
crushing sensations. Theses sensations can occur continuously or they can occur only
some of the time.
WHAT IS FARABLOC MADE OF?
Farabloc is made of extremely thin stainless steel threads and nylon threads. The threads
are woven together into a netlike pattern, giving it a linen-like feel. 9.5% of Farabloc is
made of steel wire. This wire is made of the following metallic elements: iron, nickel, and
chromium. Farabloc is non-electric.
DOES FARABLOC WORK?
Research studies show that Farabloc works to reduce phantom limb pain better than a
placebo.
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A placebo is a substance that is given to patients, which they are
told will provide effective treatment, but in reality should not have
any significant effect. An example of the use of a placebo would
be giving patients an injection of salt water and telling them that it
is a new drug that will help reduce their pain.
Scientists evaluate new forms of treatment by comparing them to
the treatment responses obtained by using placebos. Studies that
use placebos as a comparison against Farabloc typically use a
fabric that should not have any significant pain relieving
properties.
A 1993 study in the Canadian Journal of Rehabilitation showed that Farabloc provided significant relief of
phantom limb pain. The most pain relief was provided when double-layers of Farabloc was used to cover
the stump of the amputated arm or leg. Of the 34 subjects in this study, 21 experienced their greatest pain
relief while using Farabloc. However, it should be noted that in this study, only 2 subjects reported
complete or near complete pain relief with Farabloc and one patient experienced increased pain relief
when using Farabloc. Thus, Farabloc does not always work for everybody.
A 2000 study was published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine showed that double layers of
Farabloc were better than a placebo fabric at reducing delayed-onset muscle soreness after excessive
exercise. Farabloc also helped to reduce the loss of strength and the inflammation that typically occurs
after such exercise.
CAN FARABLOC COMPLETELY GET RID OF PHANTOM LIMB PAIN?
According to the inventor of Farabloc, this product can sometimes completely eliminate phantom limb pain
in some individuals. However, Farabloc is not sold as a cure for phantom limb pain. Research (see
previous section) has shown that few people report complete elimination of phantom limb pain when using
Farabloc.
HOW DOES FARABLOC WORK?
It is not entirely clear exactly how Farabloc works. However, Farabloc has been shown in research
studies to shield the body from some types of electromagnetic fields. An electromagnetic field is a region
around a magnet where the force of that magnet and the force of electricity can be felt. Electromagnetic
fields are caused by the motion of an electric charge. The number of times that the electric current moves
in one second is what defines the electric current's frequency. If the current moves fast, this means that
the frequency is high. If the current moves slowly, this means that the frequency is low. Fast moving
electric currents can produce a high frequency electromagnetic field. Slow moving electric currents can
produce what is known as a low frequency electromagnetic field.
Human beings are surrounded by electromagnetic fields, such as those that are made by electrical
devices. Examples would be TV sets, microwaves, radios, and the computer you are looking at right now.
Such household devices generally produce low frequency electromagnetic fields. Examples of high
frequency electromagnetic fields would be x-rays and rays from outer space (known as cosmic rays).
Even the human body creates electromagnetic fields that are due to chemical reactions in the cells and
the flow of ions (electrically charged particles) in the body.
It is thought by some that electromagnetic fields can cause irritation to nerve endings. Normally, layers of
body tissue protect nerve endings from electromagnetic fields that come from outside of the body. People
with arms and limbs that have been cut off do not have this protection, however. Thus, some believe that
when the unprotected nerve ending are exposed to electromagnetic fields, this causes irritation, which the
brain perceives as pain and other types of discomfort. It is thought that Farabloc provides protection form
the electromagnetic fields, reducing irritation.
Farabloc works best at blocking high and ultra-high frequency electromagnetic fields. However, Farabloc
may have a limited effect on very low, extremely low, and extremely high frequency electromagnetic fields.
The good news is that as of yet there is no firm evidence of biological effects of low-level, low-frequency
electromagnetic fields.
Farabloc may help to reduce muscle soreness by making the muscles cells more stable. After too much
exercise, muscle cells become disrupted, which leads to inflammation, which then leads to soreness.
Thus, decreasing the muscle cell disruption would help to decrease the soreness. In other words,
Farabloc seems to work by blocking damage to the muscle.
Some suggest that Farabloc may work through having an anti-oxidant effect. What does this mean? When
a cell is destroyed, oxygen is usually released from the cell. The oxygen usually breaks down the cell next
to it, which in turn, releases oxygen. This oxygen usually breaks down the cell besides it, and so on, like a
wildfire. Farabloc may work by decreasing the effect of the oxygen (hence, the term "anti-oxidant effect").
By decreasing the effect of the oxygen, using Farabloc can be like throwing water on a fire before it
spreads too much. Also, Farabloc may reduce pain through increasing blood circulation and producing a
pleasant feeling of warmth.
DOES FARABLOC HAVE SIDE EFFECTS?
Farabloc is not known to have any significant side effects. That being said, Farabloc may be
uncomfortable to wear in bed and difficult to use when at work or in public.
IS FARABLOC ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST LIMBS?
No. Farabloc has been used by athletes as well to decrease muscle soreness and other types of
discomfort such as cramps. Even professional athletes have been known to use Farabloc. Some people
have claimed that Farabloc also helps reduce discomfort from arthritis, which is inflammation of a joint (the
place at which bones meet).
DOES FARABLOC COME IN DIFFERENT FORMS?
Yes. Farabloc comes in many different shapes and forms such as mittens, pants, jackets, covers,
blankets, or socks. It can be fitted over various body parts.
CAN I WASH FARABLOC?
Yes. Farabloc can be washed. It can also be cut, sewn, and ironed like any other fabric.
WHO CREATED FARABLOC?
Farabloc was created in 1978 by Frieder Kempe. Kempe made Farabloc in an attempt to reduce phantom
limb pain experienced by his father.
DO IN NEED TO GET A PRESCRIPTION TO GET FARABLOC?
No. You do not need a prescription to use Farabloc. It can be purchased on the company website.
