Phiten
Phiten is a company that makes necklaces worn for the supposed purpose of soothing one's body. The name Phiten comes from the Greek letter "Phi" Φ, and the exponent 10.[1][not in citation given]
Contents |
[edit] Product claims
Through what the company calls the "Phild process", titanium is supposedly turned into "aqua-titanium". The company claims to be able to integrate small amounts[2] of this metal directly into fabric.[3] The medical and performance-enhancing claims relating to Phiten's products are considered pseudoscience and Phiten is unable to provide any published studies finding a medical benefit from wearing its metal-infused necklaces and bracelets.[4] Similar products, especially those worn and endorsed by sports figures, have been prevalent in recent years. Most notably the Q Ray Bracelet which was subject to an FTC lawsuit[5] in 2003. Although its claimed therapeutic value was disproved and a $11.8 million judgment was found these items are still legal for sale as jewelry only. Claims of the "medical and therapeutic" value of these ionic devices are now provided only by "satisfied customers" through testimonials to avoid a claim of deceptive advertising. Fatigue is not caused by an imbalance of ions in the body, and the technology behind the company's products is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.[2]
[edit] Company history
The company was founded in 1983 by Yoshihiro Hirata and Ayako Doue in Japan, with the international headquarters in Kyoto. After an illness curtailed his training as a chef, Hirata claims to have studied physical therapy and rehabilitation methods on his own. At the age of 29 he started a physical therapy center and later developed the titanium-infused tape. The word Phiten comes from the Greek letter Phi which is used to symbolize balance.[citation needed]
[edit] Expansion
Since Phiten's founding in 1983, the company has expanded to have six sister companies in China, France, Germany, Korea, the United Kingdom and Europe, and the United States. Phiten has distributors in over 20 countries including Canada, Mexico, France, and Russia.[1][not in citation given]
In 2007, Phiten acquired a license for the MLB Authentic Collection. It became the first Japanese company to do so, and only nine other corporations have such a license.
[edit] Sponsorship and advertisement
 |
This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2010) |
Some of the major athletes in Japan that wear Phiten necklaces are Shingo Katayama (professional golfer), Naoko Takahashi, Tomoaki Kanemoto (professional baseball player), and Yu Darvish (professional baseball player). In the USA, the company sponsors MLB players Josh Beckett, Tim Lincecum, Joba Chamberlain, Jon Lester, Randy Johnson, Clay Buchholz, Justin Verlander, Justin Morneau, Brandon Webb, C.J. Wilson, and Dustin Pedroia. Phiten also sponsors golfer Sergio Garcia, marathon runner Paula Radcliffe, basketball player Carmelo Anthony, German ice hockey player Otto Keresztes, and softball player Jennie Finch.
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Phiten Official Store
- ^ a b "Hasselbeck among athletes wearing titanium necklace". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. January 1, 2008. http://www.seattlepi.com/business/345651_phiten02.html.
- ^ Phiten: How it works, phitennz.com
- ^ William Hudson (October 26, 2011). "What's the power of a good luck charm?". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/26/health/power-good-luck-charm/.
- ^ Federal Trade Commission v. QT, Inc, Case No. 03C 3578, Federal Trade Commission File No. 032 3011
