Ionic foot baths are the type of therapeutic foot baths we offer at the Biophysics Center. Our ionic foot bath uses both iontophoresis (introduction of ions into the body by electric current) and galvanic stimulation (direct current, both positive and negative, which is meant to optimize blood flow and accelerate healing). Our foot bath is sold by Energy Balance Resources, and here are excerpts from their explanation of how an ionic foot bath works:

The "EB" ionic field uses the Arndt-Schulz law of low stimuli excitatory affect. This effect can be seen in similar therapeutic devices such as microcurrent and cold laser therapy, which has been proven to increase cellular ATP (cell energy). This influx of bio-available energy created by the ionic field helps to restore the cell back to its natural frequency and homeostasis.

 

Every cell in the body needs oxygen and predominantly glucose in order to create ATP (energy or fuel of the cell). Without this energy, the body could no longer function. ATP is required in order for the nervous system to work, for a muscle to contract, and for a muscle to relax. Clinical trials using the EB Ionic Therapy [show] that we substantially increase the range of motion or relaxation of the muscle and also increase muscle strength. This could not be accomplished without an increase in cellular ATP.

 

The effects of the application of the ELF ionic field are equivalent to the action of the body's sodium-potassium pump, which keeps the concentration of positive and negative ions correct across the cell membrane. This [helps to ensure] the presence of the correct electric potential that is altered in many degenerative processes.

As you can see, we've made a couple of edits in [brackets] because we don't like to suggest that clinical trials prove anything, or that ANY form of therapy is guaranteed to help everyone. Still, the clinical results ARE quite encouraging. EBR has tested water samples prior to a foot bath; prior to a foot bath but after the array has been used (necessary to run the foot bath); and then after the foot baths of 10 clients in a particular chiropractic office. This is NOT a rigorous scientific study, but the water testing itself was sound and showed substantial elimination of heavy metals in many of the clients.

What's more, our direct experience shows a substantial difference in the quality of water after foot baths in those who haven't had them before and in those who have recently had them, suggesting that earlier foot baths removed toxins that were no longer present in later foot baths. Although the flakes of material in a foot bath are often simply the result of copper flakes coming off the array itself, one woman actually told us that she had to pull a particle (the size of a small piece of rice) from out of a pore in her foot following a foot bath, again suggesting a substantial detox process.

Of course the bottom line for success of ionic foot baths is how they make people feel. As you read above, the improved joint range of motion in many clients and other testimonials show a long list of signs and symptoms of disease that have cleared up for people following the use of therapeutic foot baths.

If you're in the Rochester, Michigan area, we encourage you to visit the Biophysics Center to experience an ionic foot bath for yourself. And if you find this article before we open (mid-2007), make sure to sign up for our mailing list (home page), as we'll send out free foot bath certificates to several people on the list when we first open our doors.