I have been meaning to write about detox foot spas for a while but seeing a report of the 'Detox Industry' recently reminded me. I first came across these at a trade fair I attended as a Holistic therapy/Beauty therapy Lecturer. I didn't believe the claims at the time and I still don't and I was amazed at the amount of gullible beauty salon owners who were buying these for their salon so below is the THE MANUFACTURERS' SALES PITCH
Detox foot spa machines are sold in several common names including: Detox Foot Bath, Foot Detox Spa, Aqua Detox, Ionic Detox Foot Bath, Detoxification Foot Spa, Energizer Detox, Cell Spa Foot Detox, Chi Detox, Bio Detox, Water Detox, and Energetic Foot Bath.
The Detox Spa starts the process of rebalancing your body's bio-energy. Effectively rebalancing the cells equilibrium of positive and negative ions which, in turn, 'kick starts' the dispersal of the unwanted toxins. The renewed re-balancing of the cells ensures re-hydration resulting in optimum efficiency of their function to extract nutrients and dispose of unwanted waste. The result will be renewed energy levels, both physical and mental, with a general feeling of well being. The relaxing 30 minute treatment involves placing your feet into a spa bowl filled with warm salted water. An Energizing Cartridge creates a flow of electrons and a bioenergetic field that provides a relaxing and enjoyable treatment.
The feet have an amazing 2000 pores in each foot and therefore offer one of the best points to administer the treatment which is both efficient and convenient. The Bio Energiser rebalances and harmonises by sending signals up through the lymph glands to stimulate the detox process. The Bio Energiser is used in hospitals around the world for hypo hydrosis (sweaty hands and feet) cases. In addition it also helps to cure the symptoms of athletes foot. When your cells are functioning correctly they allow vital nutrients to be absorbed into your body, which in turn results in the elimination of unwanted toxins.
SORRY BUT THIS IS ABSOLUTE BUNKUM AND A TOTAL SCAM AND THE SALES REPS BEHIND THIS PRODUCT ARE PLAYING ON THE IGNORANCE OF THE PUBLIC AND LACK OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
The claim about them being used in hospitals funny that I've never come across this in my nursing experience. The only correct aspect of the sales pitch above is the '2000 pores in each foot' For a start NOTHING can be absorbed into the skin UNLESS it is a licensed medication, nicotine or HRT or other medicated skin patch or aromatherapy essential oils and that is a FACT. Nor can the Lymph Glands receive signals via the feet. It's quite laughable really what is being said. The skin, via the sweat glands are only responsible for eliminating an infinitesimal amount of toxins such as salts, the bulk of toxins are expelled from the body via the gut and bladder and the human body does an excellent job of removing harmful toxins already it doesn't need a foot spa (especially one that is incapable and never will work).
The treatment is normally given by soaking your feet in water with salt added to aid the conductivity of the water. Then, low electrical current is transmitted through two electrodes.
They claim that water turning reddish brown is the toxic matter removed from the body. Depending on the color, they claim that yellowish color is from the kidney and bladder toxins, orange is from arthritis-related illness, dark brown is from liver-related diseases, and so on. Scientifically, these claims are 100% nonsensical!
Here's what really happens. The color of water changes due to a process called “electrolysis”. The brown toxins you see are from the rust generated by the corrosion of the iron electrodes! The different variations in color can be accounted by varying amount of salt added to the water and variations in the compositions of the electrodes. The color of water will change with or without soaking your feet in it. ‘Far from removing toxins in the body, the process of electrolysing sodium chloride creates substances that are actively hazardous to human health — explosive hydrogen gas and poisonous chlorine gas.’
Next time someone tries to sell you this treatment ask them this: "Where is the scientific evidence to back up the claim?", they wont be able to produce any for none exists
The human body is a marvellous detoxifying machine, give it a balanced diet, drink plenty of water and regular exercise and sleep and it will work wonderfully all by itself
I figured this was bunk. I have also seen the foot pads ( I think they claim to be from China, an ancient treatment) they supposedly draw toxins from the soles in the same way. Those have also been proven to be a farce.
ReplyDeleteI do have a foot soaker, but I only use it to soften my feet before I exfoliate. Other than that, it simply feels good and relaxing. It's actually more trouble to drag it out and fill then clean it, I rarely use the darned thing-lol
Thanks Lisa you'd be surprised how many still fall for this scam and others like it
ReplyDeletehugs Maggie xoxo