“For individuals with aches and pains throughout their body, can a foot detox help bring relief?”
Table of Contents
A foot detox involves soaking the feet in an ionic bath to help remove toxins from the body. They can also be performed using acupressure, scrubs, foot masks, and pads. Combined with eliminating toxins, detox is also believed to help enhance blood circulation and provide body pain and discomfort relief. However, current evidence is limited and there has been no evidence to support that toxins can be released from the feet using an ionic bath. However, they have been found to provide other benefits, which include:
Foot detoxes are considered generally safe, but individuals are recommended to speak to their healthcare provider.
The potential health benefits include:
However, most reports surrounding the benefits of foot detox are not proven by research investigating whether the health claims are scientifically accurate. One study in 2012 found that foot detoxes did not produce the intended results and could not help remove toxins from the body. (Deborah A. Kennedy, et al., 2012) Other research surrounding foot baths and massages showed that they could help reduce symptoms of mood disorders like schizophrenia because of the relaxing effect they produce. (Kazuko Kito, Keiko Suzuki. 2016)
Toxins are filtered out of the body in a variety of ways. Breathing out expels carbon dioxide from the body. Another way is through the body’s natural processes. The body has organs and other systems to filter out and release toxins.
Foot detoxes can be an enjoyable experience that can help relieve sore feet, relax the body, and offer relief for certain foot ailments. They could be an excellent addition to a self-care routine. Some of the most commonly used natural foot detoxes include the following.
Sea salt combined with baking soda dissolved in a bath and soak the feet for up to 30 minutes. While research is limited, some evidence supports the health benefits associated with sea salt that include: (Ehrhardt Proksch, et al., 2005)
Foot baths should be avoided for the following:
Kennedy, D. A., Cooley, K., Einarson, T. R., & Seely, D. (2012). Objective assessment of an ionic footbath (IonCleanse): testing its ability to remove potentially toxic elements from the body. Journal of environmental and public health, 2012, 258968. doi.org/10.1155/2012/258968
Kito, K., & Suzuki, K. (2016). Research on the Effect of the Foot Bath and Foot Massage on Residual Schizophrenia Patients. Archives of psychiatric nursing, 30(3), 375–381. doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2016.01.002
UW Integrative Health. Improving your health by removing toxins from your body.
Akyuz Ozdemir, F., & Can, G. (2021). The effect of warm salt water foot bath on the management of chemotherapy-induced fatigue. European journal of oncology nursing: the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society, 52, 101954. doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2021.101954
Vakilinia, S. R., Vaghasloo, M. A., Aliasl, F., Mohammadbeigi, A., Bitarafan, B., Etripoor, G., & Asghari, M. (2020). Evaluation of the efficacy of warm salt water foot-bath on patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A randomized clinical trial. Complementary therapies in medicine, 49, 102325. doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102325
Luu, L. A., Flowers, R. H., Gao, Y., Wu, M., Gasperino, S., Kellams, A. L., Preston, D. C., Zlotoff, B. J., Wisniewski, J. A., & Zeichner, S. L. (2021). Apple cider vinegar soaks do not alter the skin bacterial microbiome in atopic dermatitis. PloS one, 16(6), e0252272. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252272
Proksch, E., Nissen, H. P., Bremgartner, M., & Urquhart, C. (2005). Bathing in a magnesium-rich Dead Sea salt solution improves skin barrier function, enhances skin hydration, and reduces inflammation in atopic dry skin. International journal of dermatology, 44(2), 151–157. doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2005.02079.x
Kanwar A. J. (2018). Skin barrier function. The Indian Journal of Medical Research, 147(1), 117–118. doi.org/10.4103/0971-5916.232013
Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on "Foot Detox: Boost Your Health and Wellness" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
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Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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