Is Reflexology really used in a detox foot pad? – HAAP Media ltd.Detox Foot Pads are being linked to the bodywork modality of Reflexology. what are these detoxifying foot patches and how do they work?

Almost everyone has seen a commercial on the Kinoki foot pads and other brands of detoxifying foot patches. Companies claim the pads detoxify the body while you sleep, and that they are connected to Reflexology and Acupuncture somehow. But what are these foot pads really, and do they actually do what they claim?

What is a Detox Foot Pad?

The detox foot pad is an adhesive foot patch that is applied to the bottom of the foot and left on overnight. According to the promotional brochure of BodyPure™ the detox foot pads “stimulates reflexology points, enhances circulation, strong absorption capabilities.” the patch contains a small bag of ingredients, varying by manufacturer:

• BodyPure™’s detox foot pad contain: bamboo vinegar extract, houttuynia cordata extract, loquat leaf extract, diatomaceous earth, tourmaline, citronella, dextrin, vegetable fiber and vitamin C.
• Dr. Group’s detox foot pads (by Kenrico Inc) contain: wood vinegar, bamboo vinegar, agaricus blazei murril, tourmaline gemstone, amethyst gemstone, dextrin, loquat leaf, and dokudami-houttuynia cordata.
• Takara detox foot patches contain: agaricus mushroom, chitosan (shellfish), bamboo sap, eucalyptus sap, tourmaline minerals, saururus chenesis, fermented starches and “other potent plant ingredients.”
• Avon’s Healthy Remedies Revitalizing Patch contains: acetic acid, sorbitol, dextrin, camellia sinensis leaf extract and tourmaline.

How does a Detox Foot Patch Work?

According to BodyPure™ the pad “stimulates the reflexology points in the arch of the foot helping to support the body’s natural detoxification mechanisms and enhance circulation.” the Kinoki foot pads claim to “absorb heavy metals, metabolic waste and other impurities that slowly poison your system.”

Little scientific evidence is available on exactly how the detox foot pads work but many companies make extravagant claims despite the lack of science to back it up. Dr. mark Cohen writes on ‘detox programs’ in his article “‘Detox’: science or sales pitch?”, “at present ‘detox’ is certainly more of a sales pitch than a science. it must be noted however, that lack of evidence for an effect does not mean lack of effect. therefore, there may be clinical benefits from some detox programs and this seems to be a fruitful area for further research.”

The folks at Wise Choice Health Inc., demonstrate a hair analysis on their website for the BodyPure™ foot pads. As explained at the Natural Products Expo East, a doctor tested a patient’s hair before application and again six months after trying the foot pads. the test results concluded that there was a 55% reduction in aluminum, a 70% reduction in bismuth, a 57% reduction in cadmium, a 54% reduction in lead, a 12% reduction in mercury and an 82% reduction in thallium between the two hair analysis tests.

Conclusion

In the United States Reflexology is defined as “a non-invasive, complementary modality involving thumb and finger techniques to apply alternating pressure to reflexes shown on reflex maps of the body located on the feet, hands, and outer ears,” by the American Reflexology Certification Board. for these pads to be considered working with Reflexology they would require this physical application of finger and thumb techniques to work.

It would seem that future studies on detox foot pads would be beneficial for both the safety of the public and to avoid lawsuits for frivolous claims that the companies cannot back up.

References:

• BodyPure Detox Pads handout and brochure from Wise Choice Health Inc., manufacturers of BodyPure™ and DiaPedi
• Dr. Group’s Detox Foot Pads advertising page from Global Healing Center’s website accessed October 25, 2008
• Takara Detox Foot Patch advertising page from Wheatgrasskits.com website accessed October 25, 2008
• Kinoki Cleansing Detox Foot Pads advertising page from As seen On TV Guys website accessed October 25, 2008
• Elemental Analysis Hair from BodyPure™ website accessed October 25, 2008
• ‘Detox’: science of sales pitch? Australian Family Physician, Vol. 36, no. 12, December 2007
• Legal Definitions of Reflexology from the American Reflexology Certification Board website accessed October 25, 2008