What Types of Footbaths Are There?

Footbaths have many medical and physiological uses, and offer a wide variety of features.

Home foot spas, as they are also known, start on the lower end of the price range and can be as simple as a plastic tub with texturi z e d foot ramps. Electric versions sport bubbling jets beneath the feet, and in some cases, massaging jets both beneath the feet and to the sides. These spas may offer simple features, but most can also accommodate additives such as Epsom salts, bath salts, or essential oils to help detoxify and moisturize. Most footbaths utilize warm water, either heated before being added to the bath, or heated by the bath itself. Baths which have several settings can be controlled either by the toes or by remote control, and often offer several different temperature and jet speeds or intensity levels.

With the global movement toward holistic and alternative medicines, the ionic foot spa has been gaining popularity and is now available for the home. The tubs themselves can be simple containers or designer footbaths. What makes them different is that metal rods are placed in the water with the feet, producing negatively charged ions which are then absorbed through the skin in osmosis. The negative ions are supposed to attach themselves to heavy metals and other toxins in the blood, carrying the foreign substances out in the perspiration and urine.

Commercial footbaths, made for physical therapy and salon applications, are also purchased for in-home use thanks to the availability of foot and lower-leg massaging features. They are bigger and less portable than spas made for home use, and sometimes harder to use and disinfect. On the plus side, their extra features and durability make commercial-style footbaths a health investment. The biggest footbaths come with their own water line connection and movable sprayers, built into a large base and sometimes, featuring a large massage chair with a remote control. These footbaths are often seen in a salon setting, the ultimate luxury footbath for women getting pedicures.

It seems that footbath features run the gamut, limited only by the purchaser’s budget, planned use, and available space. If you just need a place to soak tired feet at the end of a long day, a home foot spa that stores under your bed or couch may be the perfect item for you. If you’re seeking a true escape and possibly, a full-body massage and detox, make a little more room in your house and prepare to pay dearly for the big features.