Taopatch
https://taopatch.co/
Advertisements for Taopatch began showing up on Facebook, and people in MS-related groups were asking questions about it, so I decided to look into it. When people ask me to do product evaluations or interaction reports I am usually able to analyze the contents of the product, and test the claims against biochemical reality. However, Taopatch does not directly release substances or chemicals into the body, so I had to take a different approach with this one.
Claims
The following information can be found on the company’s website or a whitepaper they released. I am reporting their claims and investigating them to see whether they may be valid. I do not endorse their claims. I have never used the product. I have never heard of Taopatch until recently when someone asked me to do a product review. Also remember that I am a person who lives with MS and am trying to learn about things that might help my friends with MS.
History
An Italian bioengineer suffered a serious accident that left him with constant headaches, restricted movement, and chronic pain. After exhausting all avenues for relief with conventional medicine, he turned to biophysics and laser-therapy with good results. That experience led him to develop Taopatch.
Originally the device was used to treat muscle contractures. One day a doctor decided to use it with a multiple sclerosis patient who was unable to walk without assistance, and the patient was able to walk within minutes. Since then, Taopatch has been successfully used to treat athletic injuries, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, emotional balance, and other symptoms.
How It Works
Taopatch contains nanocrystals called quantum dots with the ability to convert your body’s heat into therapeutic wavelengths of light (that is visible in the dark). The light is transfered to acupuncture points, and "helps your body ‘remember’ how to naturally communicate with the rest of the body.”
Symptoms Treated
Reduced Pain & Spasticity
Improved Balance & Mobility
Critics and User Reviews
Critics
The following reviews were made by professional reviewers who say they think Taopatch is a scam. Why do they think it is a scam? Should you believe them? …Still working on this section….
Tao Patch- Is it a scam? - this reviewer says it is a scam and not based on science.
Professional product review suspecting that Tao Patch is a scam
User Reviews
Are there any actual people with MS who have actually used the Taopatch? If so, what are they saying about it? If you are like me, I tend to be skeptical about things in general because I have been burned in the past with buying expensive products that didn’t live up to their claims. My world revolves around managing this dreaded disease and keeping it in remission, which (until I convert my treatment in to something simpler to use) requires loads of supplements and special dieting. Because of this, I don’t exactly have lots of cash lying around to buy expensive products that may or may not help me feel better, and I do a lot of homework before deciding to make purchases.
Analyzing the responses of some people with MS who claim to have used the Taopatch, it seems like they are saying the Taopatch actually helps them manage better. People are not saying it cures them altogether, but there are some before and after videos and testimonials from our friends with MS who say it definitely helps them walk a little easier, balance a bit better, have a bit less pain and muscle spasms. The general consensus of users seems to say that when the device is on, they have relief, and when it is off, things go back right away to not working as well. This makes sense because the device claims to help electrical impulses travel through the nervous system more efficiently, not heal the communication network. It’s sort of like electricity: when you turn the light switch on, the lightbulb produces light; when you turn the light switch off, the lightbulb turns off.
I’m a bit suspicious because there are a couple different forums where I noticed the same Taopatch user posts reviews. Does he work for the company? Not that I was able to determine. It’s possible that he is happy with the results and wants to share his story. I don’t see anything wrong with that. Another suspicious thing I found is a couple of “before and after” videos of people with MS using the Taopatch. These videos are posted on Facebook and also featured on the Taopatch website. Do these people work for the company or get paid to share her videos? I wasn’t able to find a direct answer to that question but it seems like these are actual people with MS reviewing the product. What is clear from the videos is that Taopatch helps them walk better when they are wearing the little buttons. Keep in mind that Taopatch is a relatively new device/company that is just starting out and trying to make a name for itself. Naturally, if you have satisfied customers, you would ask them to share their stories, and you are also going to want to share their stories. It is not uncommon for the same news piece to first be published in the local newspaper, then in a regional newspaper, then published at the state, national, and international levels if it is a big enough story. Another detail that stands out is that the company claims to offer full refunds within 90 days with no questions asked. This claim seems validated by a couple of people who exchanged or returned their products with no issues. It was posted that the rate of product returns is very low – 0.1%, which is an indication that people are satisfied with the product.
Here are a few of the forums I came across chatting about Taopatch for you to read yourself if you want. If you find any other good chatrooms, let me know and I’ll post it here for everyone to see so we can all learn from it.
Podcast: interviews of MS patients using Taopatch
FunkyGeorge76 is found here and on different sites promoting the Taopatch for MS
Tao Patch customer reviews (Is there a way to tell if these are real reviews?)
Literature
I think it’s interesting that the inventor of Taopatch has a similar history as me: he was injured and tried conventional medicine but it didn’t help him, so he had to think outside the box. He figured out a way that helped him manage his condition better and was inspired to help others do the same. This fact makes me believe that his intentions are pure. But good intentions that produce a product still need to be validated with research using the fundamentals of the scientific method. Is there any scientific evidence to validate the claims of Taopatch? At first glance, it seems like there might be. The following are some legit publications I was able to find about the Taopatch and the technology it uses:
Amato, A., Messina, G., Feka, K., Genua, D., Ragonese, P., Kostrzewa-Nowak, D., Fischetti, F., Iovane, A., Proia, P. (2021). Taopatch® combined with home-based training protocol to prevent sedentary lifestyle and biochemical changes in MS patients during COVID-19 pandemic. Eur J Transl Myol, 31 (3), 9877. doi: 10.4081/ejtm.2021.9877
Benedetti, S., Degrassi C., De Martino A., Beninati S., Cappello F., Bonivento P. (2018). Improvement
of antioxidative defense of cells exposed to radio frequencies by a nanotechnology device.
Journal of Biomaterials, 2(1), 20-23. doi:10.11648/j.jb.20180201.15
Carbonari, B., Balducci, F., Cesaretti, G., Cesanelli, L., Botticelli, D., Messina, G. (2020). Performance,
balance and posture variations with occlusal splint and Taopatch® devices. A retrospettive cross-
over study. J Sports Med Phys Fitness, epub Jul. 30. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.20.11053-3
Di Summa, F., Capobianco, F.S., Shevchenko, A., De Martino, A., Beninati, S., Baldoni, E., Lumbau,
A.M.I., Chessa, G.I. (2018). Improvement of postural reprogramming by a nanotechnology device.
International Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. 6(3), 57-61. doi: 10.11648/j.ijbmr.20180603.11
Genua, D., Bruno, F., Caldarera, G. (2015/2016). Nanotecnologie e Postura. (Master’s Thesis). UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI PALERMO, SCUOLA DELLE SCIENZE UMANE E DEL PATRIMONIO CULTURALE,
MASTER IN POSTUROLOGIA E BIOMECCANICA (Italian).
Lomeo, A., Cacciaguerra, C., Garsia, D., Scolaro, A. (2019). The use of nanotechnological devices in
degenerative cerebral pathologies: Perspective study on 28 patients with multiple sclerosis (French).
Hegel, 9(2), 114-121
Malchiodi Albedi, G., Corna, S., Aspesi, A., Clerici, D., Parisio, C., Seitanidis, J., Cau, N., Brugliera,
L., Capodaglio, P. (2017). Effects of nanotechnology-based devices on postural control in healthy
subjects. J Sports Med Phys Fitness, epub Sep 5. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.17.07530-2
Scoppa, F., Gallamini, M., Belloni, G. (2016). Treating balance disorders with ULLLT acupuncture
stimulation: A further pilot study on normal subjects confirms clinical applicability of treatment. J
Nov Physiother, 6(285). doi:10.4172/2165-7025.1000285.
Sedran, A., Rizzi R., Sindici, E., Sedran, A. (2017). Use of TAOPATCH nanotechnology for dental care on HCP subjects. SIOH Meeting, Milan, 5-6-7 October. University of Turing, Department of Surgical
Sciences, Dental School.
Analysis of the Technology
Are these articles legit? Is the technology they talk about legit? At first glance, seems like it. It seems like this is a newer technology that has been developed and tested in smaller settings and is just starting to become used on a larger scale. Naturally, when a product is first designed, it does not automatically become made available to every person in the globe. Electricity was not made available to every home for quite some time, and there are still some places in the world living without electricity and running water. …still working on this section…
Maybe actually explain the technology - if that is possible.
Conclusion
Sounds like it might be a legitimate product put out by a small company that is just starting to become popular and advertise their patented product. Most of the scientific journal articles are recently published and although the studies are small-ish, the product seems to show some efficacy and promising results. Based on customer reviews, the product seems to help people with MS get along somewhat better. Just because it’s not published in the highly esteemed Nature magazine doesn’t mean it’s a scam. I’m still undecided but definitely intrigued about it. And I’d love to try it out to see if it helps my physical performance. What about you? …still working on this… any thoughts?
