A footspa can provide users with the most blissful, and relaxed vibes possible.
Those handy gadgets have long been used in spas around the world, and the invention of the home foot spa has proved extremely popular. Now we can sit in front of the TV, with our snacks and juice, soaking our feet in the comfort of our own home.
We all know the benefits of footspas for relaxation, but have you ever considered the health benefits they might have?
That’s right, these little pieces of heaven can have some much-desired health benefits. One of these is the effect it can have on neuropathy pain. You can soak away your pain in a footspa!
This article is going to give you the lowdown on all things footspa, how a footspa can help your neuropathy pain, and a little explanation into what neuropathy pain entails thrown in for good measure.
First, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. What is neuropathy pain?
Neuropathy Pain - What is it?
Neuropathy pain can also be thought of as nerve pain. It is often associated with diabetes, as diabetes can cause peripheral neuropathic pain. However, that is not to say that nerve pain is only caused by diabetes, rather that it is one of the most common causes.
Other causes of neuropathy pain include autoimmune diseases, vitamin deficiency, kidney problems, alcoholism, and various infections.
The feeling in your feet can be described as painful pins and needles, with tingling and numbness. As you can imagine, this can make it very difficult to stand up or walk. It is a very uncomfortable feeling that is difficult to find relief from.
It can cause your feet to become very sensitive to the elements and can make wearing socks, shoes, and slippers very uncomfortable.
Neuropathy pain originates in the neuropathy nervous system, which is one of two nervous systems in your body. What this system does is send signals to different parts of your body that originate from your central nervous system (your spinal cord and brain).
This means that the pain does not solely go to your soles, but can occur in other places such as your hands and legs.
Does this sound like something you experience? If so, you could be experiencing an underlying health condition. For this reason, we would recommend that you see a doctor for a check-up, because whilst the footspa may alleviate the pain, it won’t deal with the underlying issues that are causing it.
Again, if you are worried that you have this issue, you should seek professional, medical advice.
There are ways that you can manage this pain, with the most important thing being that you deal with the underlying problem that is causing the pain.
For example, if the pain is caused by diabetes, then getting your diabetes managed correctly and under control may ease your symptoms.
However, there is no guarantee that your symptoms will disappear entirely, and for this reason, many patients seek out other forms of relief. That is where we come in!
One of these forms of relief is, of course, the humble footspa. Keep on reading to find out what a footspa does and how it can help your neuropathy pain …
What is a footspa?
You may never have even heard of a footspa but may have been recommended one for your neuropathy pain. Worry not, because this little section aims to tell you all about what a footspa is.
A footspa looks a little like a teeny tiny bathtub that can fit a pair of feet. They are typically made from strong, sturdy plastic and the inside of them (where you place your feet) tend to have rubber nodules or a textured over layer which aims to massage your feet.
They can typically be plugged into an electric socket which lets the footspa heat up and activates jets which will spray the water over and under your feet in a pressure that will help massage them.
Some devices even have the option to choose varying pressures for this, and some even include vibrate settings for ultimate enjoyment.
Typically you would put the water into the footspa yourself, but after that, you can sit back, relax, and let the footspa do all the work.
If you want some real luxury, you can even add in a foot soak made from salts and essential oils, but this isn’t essential to ease your neuropathy pain and you can just as easily help with the footspa alone.
If you do want to add in a foot soak, just make sure your specific spa is suitable for that.
Benefits of a Footspa on Your Neuropathy Pain
Now you know exactly what neuropathy pain means and what a footspa even is, we can move on to explaining just how a footspa may be the answer to your nerve pain.
The main benefit that you will reap from using a footspa will be an improvement in your blood circulation. Yes, that’s correct, this is more beneficial than the relaxation a footspa can provide!
You may have heard of reflexology which is a treatment that targets pressure points with a stimulating massage technique to boost circulation amongst many other benefits.
Well, just like reflexology, the work a footspa does is very similar. The jets of water, along with the textured bottoms you can purchase have a similar effect as reflexology.
It is a form of pain management that is so renowned that it is often integrated into therapies for cancer patients as a supplement to their medical treatment. It is side effect free, and unlike medication, there are no interactions or interferences with other parts of your life.
It is a very effective and natural form of treatment that can be integrated easily into your everyday life. To feel the benefits of it, you don’t have to use it for a long time. Even as little as 20 minutes can be helpful. You can do it daily if you’d like - and trust us when you’ve tried it once you will definitely want to do it every day!
Many people boast of the benefits of using a hot foot spa, whereas some people prefer cold. Others actually like to use a mixture of both, varying the heat as well as the pressure. There is no right or wrong, it is truly a personal preference.
Cold may be less relaxing but may provide some relief from swelling, as well as a factor acting pain-relief, especially if it is iced water.
A good way to work out what you need is by trying both methods and seeing what seems to help your feet the most. If you still feel confused over what is best for you, you can consult your healthcare provider for advice.
However, when it comes to temperatures, care should be taken. Your feet should not be soaked in ice-cold water for long periods of time.
Likewise, with hot water, due care should be taken to ensure it is a safe temperature, with the recommendation being that it should be just under 100-degrees Fahrenheit which is around body temperature.
Any higher and you could cause serious burns to your skin. This is especially pertinent for those who suffer from numbness with their neuropathy pain.
Sometimes this pain can cause people to not be able to feel any physical pain from a foot injury. For example, if you suffer from numbness, you may not even feel that the water is burning you.
For this reason, you should ask someone else to check the temperature for you, or better still, check it with a thermometer.
With all this in mind, and with the safety factors considered, it is clear that a footspa is an excellent home remedy for neuropathy pain.
Final Word
As we are sure you can see by now, footspas are not just a fantastically relaxing treat but can also be used to benefit your health. They are especially beneficial for those who suffer from neuropathy pain.
This natural and effective pain treatment can help to boost your circulation, improve your general health and well-being, and to make walking and standing far easier.
When used in conjunction with other treatments recommended by a healthcare professional, your neuropathy pain can be alleviated completely.
As with all supplementary treatments like a footspa, advice should be sought from a medical professional first.
Due care should always be taken when using a foot spa due to them often being attached to an electrical point and the use of hot water.
Used safely, these foot-tastic footspas can provide a great deal of pain relief, reduce swelling, and improve your relaxation. They are certainly going to be a great addition to your home and will encourage self-care practices, too.
Overall, we are sure you have learned a great deal about how a foot spa can soak away your neuropathy pain, now it’s time to put it into practice - happy soaking!
