Ionic therapy is loosely linked to the work of Royal Raymond Rife, an American inventor considered to have discovered bioelectric medicine. His theory said that viruses will be destroyed if they are introduced to the right balance of resonating frequency, similar to a glass being destroyed by the high pitch of a soprano. Fast forward to the 21st century, and Dr. Mary Staggs applies this theory and others to create the first commercial ionic footbath in 2001.

What is an ionic foot bath? An ionic foot bath is a machine used to make the body more alkaline by detoxifying it. The body’s alkaline pH level should be 7.35 to 7.45, anything lower is acidic and increases the chance of illness because diseases thrive in acidic environments. By using an ionic foot bath, these toxins and impurities will be drawn out from the feet. The process is similar to osmosis – positive hydrogens in the water will attract and draw out negatively charged toxins. The detox can be done daily for 30 minutes.

The main point of these foot detoxes is to make the body’s pH more “alkaline,” but what exactly is the importance of being alkaline? An alkaline body is crucial to a person’s health. Diseases thrive in an acidic environment. So basically, the less acidic your body is and the more alkaline, the less prone you are to contracting a disease, such as osteoporosis or cancer. What we put into our body, such as the foods we consume, have either acidic or alkalizing properties. The more of the higher alkaline foods you can incorporate into your diet the better. An ionic detox helps to facilitate the alkalization process through the process of ionization, which removes “free radicals” from the body.

Other scientifically measured effects of this detox, besides alkalization, are lower blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol levels. A 2008 study by Center for Research Strategies showed participants’ levels of aluminum to have decreased by 46% and arsenic levels to have decreased by 24%, on average.

Yes! Most people can benefit from an ionic detox. It is especially good for those suffering from gastrointestinal disorders, skin conditions, fungal or yeast infections, and cancer. The ionic detox is contraindicated for those who have a pacemaker and open sores or lesions on his/her feet. People with Diabetes Type I should use this therapy with precaution. The benefit of this form of detox is that it is gentle and safe, and not compromising because it bypasses the gastro-intestinal system.