The Tribune

LAST week, we took a broad look at a very healing modality – hydrotherapy. This week, we turn all the theory and explanations into practical applications, and perhaps learn why our grandparents adhered to certain home remedies.

A very basic, external use of hydrotherapy in the home is the hot foot bath. This is the immersion of feet and ankles in water at a temperature of 102-112 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-30 minutes. The procedure is very straightforward.

A basin is filled with hot water, feet and ankles are immersed and then covered with a towel. When this is done, it has several effects that help stimulate healing. It is very important to end this therapy with a cold application to the feet.

This can be done either by running the feet under cold water or rubbing the feet with a cold towel.

Hot foot baths are used for general warming of the body. This is useful as preparation for other treatments that will employ cold applications, and to encourage sweating (diaphoresis).

As heat is applied to the feet and ankles, it causes the blood vessels to open a bit wider (vasodilation), increasing blood flow to the area. This vasodilation results in a derivative effect by drawing congestion from the upper body and internal organs and pulling it downward.

This therapy is also sedating, as it reduces irritability and excitement, which helps calm the body. Lastly, hot foot baths have been shown to increase white blood cell count and activity; these are the cells that fight off infection and help keep us healthy. To enhance the effects of the therapy various essential oils can be added. For example, to boost the relaxing effects, Lavender oil may be used.

Hot foot baths are effective for:

• Congestion of the upper body (head, sinuses, chest)

• Infections

• Plantar warts

• Suppressed menstruation

• Detoxification

• Insomnia

• Nosebleeds (when combined with a cold compress on the nose)

• To get rid of a congestive headache, this therapy is combined with a cold towel to the head.

Although hot foot baths are effective for these conditions, it is not suitable in some instances. Some individuals’ blood vessels cannot support increased metabolism, so this treatment should be avoided as it may cause damage. Other contraindications include:

• Diabetes mellitus (DM)

• Neuropathy

• Bruising

• Various forms of cancer

• Open wounds/ active bleeding

• Peripheral vascular disease

• The very old and the very young as they do not have optimal thermoregulation, and

• Inflammation or edema of the legs and feet

• Dr Thompson is the founder of Cornerstone Healing Institute, an integrative family medicine clinic, and can be contacted at 356-0083 with any questions/comments. Visit www.chibahamas.com for more information. This article is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition.