Sole-utions for Better Health
Originally published as ‘How to foot spa for better health’ in the Acumore Clinic blog, by Shameela Pacquet on the 28/08/2024
You will need:
A comfortable chair
A plastic basin (wide enough for both your feet to rest comfortably and deep enough for water to cover your ankles)
Epsom salts
Hot water (comfortable, not scalding)
Optional:
A good book
A foot file
Essential oil (lavender, eucalyptus, lemon or your preferred scent)
How?
Set the basin in a place where you can sit comfortably for 20-30 minutes. Place a towel in arms reach to dry your feet once you have finished. Fill the basin with enough hot (but not scalding) water to cover your feet. Add 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup of Epsom salts mix to dissolve. Add a few drops of essential oil (optional). Sit down, place your feet in the tub and rest.
Why?
To fall asleep faster and sleep better
To relax the body and mind
To promote circulation
Epsom salts contain magnesium. Magnesium eases pain and muscle cramps, and improves nerve and muscle function. Magnesium plays an important role in sleep and stress management, it helps your brain produce neurotransmitters that promote relaxation and reduce stress.
Why? (according to TCM theory)
During the day our Yang Qi circulates the exterior of the body, protecting from invasion of pathogens, it fuels bodily activity, and keeps us warm and alert. At night Yin Qi dominates. Yang Qi retreats inward to allow for rest and rejuvenation. The Yang Qi itself is rejuvenated at night in this cycle. A hot foot bath helps to draw our Yang Qi downward and facilitate that change between day and night.
When?
Before bed. A foot bath can promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. You only need 20 to 30 minutes to feel the difference. Do it a few times per week or make it part of your bedtime routine.
Don’t forget…
If you are using this as a method to treat insomnia or difficulty switching off/falling asleep, do not watch TV or your phone during this time. Phones and other backlit devices emit blue light. The natural source of blue light is sunlight. The effect is suppression of melatonin (a hormone your body produces in response to darkness). This leads to difficulty falling asleep.
Get creative
If you know lavender helps you relax, add a few drops of essential oil to benefit from aromatherapy. If you have a fungal infection or are prone to odorous feet, try a few drops of tea tree or eucalyptus oil. But take care: Just a few drops of high-quality essential oil goes a long way. Too much can irritate.
"Studies supporting lavender oil as a sleeping aid are solid, even though they’re few in number" - Dr. Charlene Gamaldo, medical director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Sleep and Wellness
Scale up
Fill a bath tub, add 2 cups of Epsom salts
This is a great way to soothe and relax the entire body and is suitable for sports persons, people with physical jobs, people with stressful jobs, and people with chronic aches and pains.
Love your feet
A foot bath is the perfect time to pull out the foot file and set to work on dry, cracked or callused feet.
Final thoughts
Epsom salts are inexpensive and can be found at the supermarket or pharmacy. Consider pouring the water in the garden afterwards as magnesium is also an essential nutrient for plant health. The foot bath is a favourite recommendation at Burwood Acupuncture. This is because it can be enjoyed by all, and there are so many benefits that come from this simple routine. Try it today!
By Shameela Pacquet
Chinese Medicine Practitioner
