A foot soak soothes your muscles, hydrates your skin and can relieve aches and pains due to standing for hours or walking in uncomfortable shoes.
There are a wide variety of soaks to be found on the internet — the most basic being an Epsom salt bath — whose benefits range from managing foot and toenail fungus to softening the skin and drawing toxins out from your body.
Soaking your feet on a regular basis can also decrease your stress levels and lower high blood pressure simply by routine relaxation. If you have varicose veins, soaking your feet past the ankles in cool water can help your body recover from this condition of the veins.
The Basic Necessities
– A clean tub/basin to brew your soothing soak
– Medium hot water, enough to cover up to your ankles
– Do not submerge feet until water is ready
– Amount of ingredients can be adjusted based on size of basin.
Types of Soaks
Epsom Salt: A combination of magnesium and sulfate, Epsom salt is a compound that can help flush toxins and heavy metals from your skin’s cells, reduce inflammation, increase circulation and ease muscle cramps and joint pain. The most common use of Epsom salt soak is to aid in relieving stress and detoxification.
– ¼ cup Epsom salt
– Soak for 10 to 15 minutes
Sage & Rosemary: Sage has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, and is also an astringent. Rosemary is an astringent that has been praised for its antibacterial and antifungal properties that are useful in curtailing bacterial. What do you get when you combine to two in a soak? A happy pair of feet!
-1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
-1-2 teaspoons of dried sage
– Soak for 30 minutes
Vinegar: When it comes to your feet, vinegar has been known to help end problems with fungus, foot odor, athlete’s foot and more. The acidic properties of vinegar can even help with softening your feet and soothing dry skin or cracked heels. The most common vinegar used for a foot soak is simple white vinegar, available from any grocery store.
-1/2 cup vinegar
-1/2 cup Epsom salt
-1/2 cup sea salt
– Soak for 20-30 minutes
While foot soaks can be relaxing at-home treatments that effectively relieve minor aches and pains, it’s important to see a doctor if your pain becomes more severe or lasts longer than a few days.
—
Follow Delray Beach Podiatry on Twitter @Delray_Podiatry
The content on this website is for informational purposes only. Do not rely or act upon information from www.DelrayBeachPodiatry.com without seeking professional medical advice. If you live in South Florida and would like a consultation with Dr. Ian Goldbaum, a podiatric physician and surgeon with over 30 years of experience, please see our contact information below:
BOCA/DELRAY
16244 S. Military Trail #290, Delray Beach, FL 33445
561-499-0033
BOYNTON BEACH
8198 Jog Road #100, Boynton Beach, FL 33472
561-499-0033
No responses yet