Foot Bath Detox
Foot bath detox is a controversial procedure that claims to rid the body of toxins by using water and weak electrical current to draw waste out of the body through the feet. This process, also known as ionic body cleanse, has origins in ancient Japan and has purportedly been used for more than 1600 years as a way to alleviate discomfort caused by various ailments.
The concept behind foot detox is actually quite simple. Warm water and Epsom salts are combined in a specially designed tub. An electronic ionator is placed in the water; this produces a weak electrical current that releases ions into the water. Once the feet are placed in the tub, the ions supposedly enter the body by osmosis through the skin. As the ions energize the cells of the body, toxins are released back into the water in the form of fats, oils, acids, heavy metals and other debris. When the detox process is complete, the waste water left in the tub is emptied and the body is cleansed.
Advocates of foot detox cite improved pH balance, better functionality of various physiological systems and organs, an overall sense of relief and relaxation, more energy, increased mental clarity and focus, less pain, better range of motion in the joints, and improved muscle strength. Foot detox users have also reported relief from migraine and respite from chronic neck pain and work- or sports-related injuries. Some users have experienced better circulation, a reduction in chronic swelling or fluid retention, and more rapid healing of bruises and abrasions. Foot bath detox marketers also claim this type of body detox promotes beauty benefits like the disappearance of skin rashes, dark circles and skin discoloration. Further benefits of foot detox include the relative speed of the process—a typical foot detox cleansing session takes 30 minutes to an hour—which is much faster than using detox diets, fasting or herbal supplements for weeks on end.
The most convincing evidence of the effectiveness of foot detox can be seen in the murky debris that accumulates in the bath water during treatment. These visible results have swayed many cynics. However, detractors insist that these same results can be achieved using the same procedure without ever placing the feet in the tub. Several have gone so far as to conduct independent experiments to prove their point. As most qualified medical experts will attest, toxins are removed from the body naturally by the liver and kidneys, not through the skin of the feet.
Regardless of the side of the argument on which you fall, warm water and salt soaks are relaxing and can absolutely provide temporary relief from foot and ankle pain. Nevertheless, great care should always be taken when water and electricity are used in close proximity to one another. If you are in the market for a foot detox bath, do your research and only purchase a quality product from a reputable company. Before using a foot detox bath, check all the components to make sure there are no exposed or frayed wires, loose connections, or cracks in the tub body.
