How Does a Foot Soak Help Detoxification?
Why Detox?
People are bombarded with chemicals and toxins that make their way into their bodies. Most of these toxins do not get eliminated through digestion or other means, so they end up invading the body tissues. In order to get rid of these chemicals, a process called detoxification is needed. There are many ways to detox, from diet and fasting to detox baths. A very popular method of detoxification is the foot soak, as it is fast, easy, convenient and doesn't require specialized equipment.
Detox Through the Feet
For centuries the feet have been regarded as channels into the body. Ancient cultures in Asia have looked at the feet as a map to the body, with specific areas of the feet corresponding to different body areas. When toxins accumulate in these areas, the feet is one way that they try to release. A foot soak is a relaxing way to encourage this channel of detoxification.
As the feet are soaked in very warm water, it encourages blood flow to the feet, bringing toxins down through the blood stream and out through the soles of the feet.
Types of Foot Soaks
There are many different types of foot soaks. The most convenient is to use a large dish tub, add sea or epsom salt to very warm water (as warm as you can stand it) and soak your feet for at least 20 minutes. The salts help draw water and toxins out of your foot. If you have a problem with foot odor or bacteria, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your water. The soda helps kill bacteria that can cause infections and odor.
A very popular type of foot soak for detoxification is the ionic foot soak. The ionic foot soak is done in a special foot bath machine that puts ionic charges into the water. It is believed that these ionic charges re-balance the body's electro-magnetic fields, causing body organs to perform optimally and therefore aiding in detoxification. The electrical charges that are used in an ion footbath are so small that it is safe for use.
As toxins and metals leave the body through the feet, the color of the water, both in ionic foot soaks and basin foot soaks, tends to change. Naturopaths that are trained in this area claim to be able to tell what part of your body is trying to release the most toxins by the color of the water. No controlled studies have been done on this claim, but many people who have used foot soaks as a method of detox and healing are believers.
Ionic foot baths can be purchased for home use, or one can visit one of the many ionic foot soak spas that are being added to many beauty salons and massage centers.
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