A Muddy Malarkey Or A Blissful Detox? Ionic Foot Baths Truth Revealed
Written By: Dr. Kristen Burris, DAcCHM Dual Board Certified and Licensed Acupuncturist, TCM Herbalist and Functional Medicine Provider
The astounding claims are kind of mirky, depending on who you ask. We love evidence-based medicine, so we often rely on studies to prove the efficacy of newer treatments. Studies are scarce but those who advocate for ionic foot soaks rave about the results. Are Ionic foot baths really a detox wonder bath? Or is this just a pool full of brackish brown water?
Ionic foot baths, also known as ionic detox footbaths or ionic foot soaks, are a non-invasive therapy that uses negatively charged ions to help release toxins from the body. The ions attach themselves to the body’s toxins and through a small bath of warm saltwater, are drawn down and out through the feet. Don’t be fooled by the brown water. That is simply the reaction of the salt water with the electric ions, not an indication of how toxic your body is at the time. However, when you start to see thick, goopy, strings or tissue, that is evidence of the removal of toxins from your body.
The average, healthy, person can benefit from this therapy, as it is gentle and safe. Additionally, it has been reported to be particularly helpful for those suffering from cancer, going through chemotherapy, gastrointestinal disorders, skin conditions, fungal infections and yeast infections internally or on the skin itself.
The ionic foot detox machine is used to cleanse and detoxify the body. The internal workings of the machine exude a flow of positive and negative ions, that help pull impurities from the soles of one’s feet. The saltwater helps to draw toxins out of their cells as well. Detoxing in this way, improves overall health and well-being especially those who can’t tolerate fasting, and those who are undergoing aggressive and toxic medical treatments such as chemotherapy.
Potential Benefits of Ionic Foot Baths:
Stress Relief: The intention of taking care of one’s health alone is stress reducing. Additionally, many people find soaking their feet in a warm ionic footbath aids relaxation, resets their nervous system, calms their vagus nerve, reduces stress and anxiety.
Pain Relief: Ionic foot baths do offer some pain-relief, reduction in inflammation. Most notably patients will report they have improvement in their feet, ankles, calves, legs, and joints. Some report regular detoxes through ionic foot soaks help improves their experience with: migraines, headaches, tension headaches, plantar fasciitis, and arthritis. It is important to note people with diabetes and reduces sensation in their feet or open sores should not participate in ionic foot baths.
Reduction of Acidity: One of the major health claims is to reduce acidity and increase alkalinity. Tests have shown through improved urine samples, before and after the soak that indeed this is true. Many diseases thrive in an overly acid environment including cancer, gout, arthritis, inflammatory illnesses and skin disorders. The more alkaline the body, often the better health one experiences.
Detoxification: The primary claim is that ionic foot soaks embolden the body's natural detoxification process by facilitating the removal of heavy metals and other toxic elements found in our cells.
Improved Energy Levels: In theory, if we reduce our toxic load, our organ systems and bodily functions have less of a burden and perform more efficiently, thereby they may help lessen fatigue and boost energy.
Improved Sleep: Some patients find the warm water has a relaxing effect inducing a calm state, leading to less stress, a slower pace and overall improved sleep quality.
Improved Skin: The removal of toxins through the feet may lead to clearer skin, a reduction in acne and improved fungal infections particularly of the feet.
Increased Circulation: Foot soaks with warm saltwater dilates blood vessels, improves blood flow and reduces swelling of the feet and ankles.
Enhanced Lymphatic Drainage: Ionic foot baths may help improve lymph drainage and circulation.
How Ionic Foot Baths Work:
Ionic foot baths are simple and innovative. A patient sits in a comfortable chair, rolls up their pant legs to around the knee area. Then they place both, bare feet in a basin of warm water that emits a low-level electrical current through the saltwater. This current promoted as having the ability to divide water into separate negatively and positively charged ions. In return, this attracts toxins and neutralizes heavy metals and draws them down and out of the body through the bare feet.
Science backed medicine:
We appreciate ancient medicine that is steeped in anecdotal evidence. Yet, new therapies, that do not have the test of time, through billions of users over a millennium, we are more skeptical and prefer studies to back patient testimonials. Many users have expressed very positive effects, scientific evidence on the effectiveness of ionic foot baths is still in the new stages and more studies are needed. One area that shows limited evidence is proving the removal of toxins from the body.
This is a very gentle therapy. Reported, unwanted side-effects are rare, but some may incur nausea or dizziness. This can also be contributed to dehydration or lack of proper nutrition during a detox phase. So be prepared and hydrate and eat appropriately before your soak.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has reported that up to 85% of all illnesses and diseases are caused by environmental pollutants and toxins in our bodies. Our bodies fight disease best when ions are at a ratio of 80% negative to 20% positive charge. We can help our body become more alkaline by eating dark leafy greens, high levels of fruits and vegetables and 80 oz of water daily.
Other scientifically measured positive effects of an ionic foot soak detox are reduced cholesterol and lowered blood sugar levels. Metabolic disharmony and weight challenges are at an all-time high worldwide. Any reduction in both levels is a good improvement in one’s health. Although it was a long time ago, a 2008 study, by the Center for Research Strategies, showed participants levels of aluminum decreased by 46% and arsenic levels decreased by 24%. Those are exceptional improvements and worth noting.
Dr. Kristen Burris personally tried an ionic footbath once and was very skeptical. It was a fascinating experience as she happened to be in a shared room with four other women. The claims here were the thicker and darker your water, the worse your health and toxic load. She observed the color of all of the other women’s water, thickness, and residue. They ranged from brown sludge, thickly clotted to outright thickened, black, muck. Some of the women were quite disgusted and embarrassed by the output from their bodies. Dr. Burris’ water remained a light brown with no thick residue whatsoever. The aid who helped the participants commented she has never seen anyone’s water look so clear after the Detox. It was a visual confirmation of the lifestyle she leads which includes: a daily greens drink, rigorous, physical activity every week at minimum five hours, a vibration plate daily, acupuncture weekly to monthly depending on the time of year, herbal medicine regularly and supplements daily with low glycemic, low-carb lifestyle for over a decade.
We suggest keeping your expectations low but enjoy the relaxing benefits of an ionic foot soak as you feel you need it.
For The Road
We hope you enjoyed learning about ionic foot baths. If you would like to know more about this or any of our excellent services, we are happy to help. Just contact us and we can go over your options and help you find the best path for your health and fertility goals. Don't live near us? No problem. We offer telemedicine with our mastery in complex conditions treated with herbal medicine, supplements and lifestyle changes. We hope these tips have helped you along your journey. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please reach out to us HERE.