Had a long day at work? Try a contrast foot bath

Here is what you need.

1. 2 tubs or buckets that are big enough to fit both your feet.

2. Espon salt (optional)

3. 1-2 towels (for water spillage and safety)

4. Bowl of ice cubes

* You can add a few drops of essential oils depending on your preference. (optional)

when performing this treatment please to careful and conduct it in a safe space, be careful of water spills on the floor and make sure you are seated comfortably.

Why do a contrast foot bath?

Using hot and then cold baths to soak feet or local area of body to increase blood flow in body and decrease blood flow to organs that are too full of blood and move the blood to the legs. The heat from the hot water makes blood vessels bigger and the cold water makes the blood vessels smaller. The blood vessels get big and then small and act like a pump to move blood around the body better. It can be used for conditions such as local infections, old injuries, bruises, strains, sprains, arthritis (red, puffy, painful joints), edema (swelling of body part), venous stasis (slow blood flow in the veins)

Steps:

1. Fill one tub with hot water check temperature of the water to make sure it is not too hot for you to place your feet in.

2. Fill second tub with cold water.

3. Place body parts in hot bath for 3 minutes.

4. Place body parts in cold water for 30 seconds.

5. Repeat step 3 but increase water temperature by adding a bit more water to keep the heat.

(You can have a bowl of ice cubes to add to the water if it gets too hot.)

6. Repeat step 4 for 30 seconds.

7. Repeat step 3 and 4. Do at least 3 hot/cold cycles but no more than 6.

*Each hot water cycle should be 3 minutes; each cold-water cycle should be 30 seconds.

8. Dry off body parts well with a towel.

9. Rest for 30 minutes.

(Can follow with Warming socks treatment.)

Materials needed:

One pair of cotton socks

One pair of wool socks (no less than 80 %)

Steps:

Make sure feet are warm and dry before starting treatment.

Wet a pair of the cotton socks, and wring them out. Socks should be damp not dripping wet. Place wool socks over the cotton socks then go to bed. Socks should be dry in the morning.

Try this for 2-3 days, if there is not effect on sleep stop treatment.