Hot Foot Bath

The promise of a ‘Glowing Beauty’ and the delivery of the same was my sole reason for regularly practicing the cleansing process of ‘Hot Foot Bath’. Over the years, I comprehended and realized its truly therapeutic characteristics and started using it as a therapeutic tool in my therapy. As a result, many of my students / clients have experienced miraculous results.

Hot Foot Bath is an integral part of Hydrotherapy. As the name suggests, it is giving a bath to your feet in hot water. It involves putting your feet in a bucket filled with hot water (definitely more than warm) and covering yourself completely with a warm blanket. The temperature of the water needs to be between 39.5 - 43.5^o \ C .

How to check the temperature of water?

A simple way is to use a thermometer. In case you do not have a thermometer handy, touch the water with the tip of your toe or elbow and if comfortable, slowly put your feet in. If it’s too hot, keep dipping your feet and pulling it out till you are comfortable with the temperature.

You would need

  1. A chair
  2. A bucket
  3. Hot water
  4. A tumbler of warm water
  5. A towel wrung out in cold water
  6. A thick blanket
  7. Salt (optional)
  8. Lemon (optional)

Method

  1. Wear minimalistic cloth
  2. Get a bucket filled with hot water
  3. Place it in front of the chair you are sitting on
  4. Drink a glass of warm water
  5. Place the cold pressed towel on your head
  6. Cover yourself completely from neck to your feet with the blanket
  7. The bucket should be shrouded within the blanket too
  8. You will start sweating profusely in 15-20 minutes
  9. You are done with the therapy
  10. Take a quick cold sponge or cold shower and rest in shavasana for 10-15 minutes

Note:

  1. Keep the room warm or the door closed before starting to allow the process of sweating to commence
  2. Keep adding hot water to the bucket if the water gets comfortable
  3. Keep sipping water in case you feel dehydrated
  4. Keep sprinkling water on your head in case of uneasiness or beginning of a headache
  5. I usually put salt and a few lemons cut in the bucket. Salt sucks all the pain and works as a good relaxing agent whereas lemon does the job of cleansing your feet. You can rub it in between on your nails and feet to clean it further
  6. Keep your hair dry and do not oil it before or during this process

Benefits:

Helps with:

  • Chest Congestion
  • Pelvic Congestion
  • Cerebral Congestion
  • Increases immunity against Cold & Cough
  • Provides relaxation for tired feet
  • Boosts functioning of the white blood cells
  • It is also recommended for stopping chronic nosebleeds
  • Increases metabolic rate and helps accelerate weight reduction
  • Not only beautifies the feet but also increases the functioning of one’s feet
  • Increases lymph flow
  • Relieves fatigue and is good in case of insomnia
  • Its hygienic and natural rather than going for pedicure in a parlor, which might be unhygienic

Avoid in case of

  • Diabetes
  • If you are pregnant
  • If you are menstruating
  • Any vascular disease of feet & leg where you do not feel sensation in that area
  • Swelling in the feet or legs
  • Frostbite