Disclaimer: The content of the article is for reference only, the storyline is purely fictional, intended to popularize health knowledge, if you feel unwell, please seek medical attention offline.
On a cold winter night, Granny Li wrapped her thick cotton jacket tightly and walked into the bathroom tremblingly. She carefully turned on the faucet, and the warm water slowly flowed into the footbasin.
Granny Li took a deep breath and slowly submerged her feet in the water. Suddenly, a sharp pain came, and she screamed and almost fell to the ground.
What exactly caused this situation when Granny Li soaked her feet? Is foot soak really as good for your health as everyone says?
As a traditional health regimen, foot soaking has been practiced in China for a long time. Many people believe that soaking their feet at night improves sleep quality, improves blood circulation, and relieves fatigue. However, Granny Lee's experience makes us question this habit.
Dr. Cheung is an experienced TCM practitioner. "Soaking your feet does have some health benefits, but it's not for everyone," he says. People with different physiques need to take different methods of foot soaking, and at the same time pay attention to some taboos. "
According to the book "Health Preservation of Traditional Chinese Medicine", foot soaking can achieve the purpose of regulating the function of the whole body by stimulating the acupuncture points of the feet. There are many important acupuncture points on the feet, such as Yongquan acupoint, Taixi acupoint, etc., which are closely related to many organs of the human body. By soaking the feet, it can play a role in warming the meridians and channels, activating blood and removing blood stasis.
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Uncle Wang is a retired worker who has been soaking his feet every night for more than 10 years. "Since I started soaking my feet, my sleep quality has improved significantly. I used to always have insomnia, but now I sleep very soundly. Uncle Wang said with a smile.
Despite the many benefits of foot soaking, it is not suitable for everyone. Dr. Zhang reminds, "Some people need to be extra careful when soaking their feet, and even avoid foot soaking. "
The first group of people to watch out for is diabetics. Diabetes causes peripheral nerve changes that make patients insensitive to temperature changes. If the water temperature is too high, it may burn the skin without realizing it. In addition, diabetic patients have poor wound healing ability, and once they are burned or scratched, they are prone to infection.
Granny Li is a diabetic. What happened to her was caused by not paying attention to the temperature of the water. Dr. Zhang advises diabetic patients to soak their feet at a temperature of no more than 38 degrees Celsius, keep the time within 15 minutes, and carefully check their feet for wounds after soaking.
The second group of people who need to be cautious is people with heart disease. Soaking your feet dilates your blood vessels and increases blood circulation, which can put more strain on your heart. A study published in the journal "Chinese Cardiovascular Disease Research" showed that some heart disease patients experienced symptoms such as palpitations and chest tightness after foot soaking.
Mr. Chan is a bus driver with a mild heart condition. "The doctor told me that I could soak my feet, but I should be careful not to have too high a temperature and not too long," he said. I now only use warm water for no more than 10 minutes every time I soak my feet, which is quite comfortable. "
The third group of people to watch out for is pregnant women. Although foot soaking can relieve edema during pregnancy, it can cause some problems if not done properly. The Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology has published an article pointing out that if the water temperature is too high or too long when pregnant women soak their feet, it may stimulate uterine contractions and increase the risk of preterm birth.
Dr. Zhang advises pregnant women to keep the water temperature between 35-38 degrees Celsius for 15-20 minutes when soaking their feet. At the same time, pregnant women should avoid adding traditional Chinese medicines such as mugwort leaves and safflower to promote blood circulation and eliminate blood stasis.
In addition to these three groups of people, there are some foot soak taboos that everyone is easy to ignore. For example, it is not advisable to soak your feet immediately after eating. The blood is concentrated in the digestive system after a meal, and soaking your feet at this time will disperse the blood and affect digestion. It is recommended to soak your feet 1-2 hours after eating.
In addition, it is not suitable for foot soaking during cold and fever. Although there is a folk saying that "soaking your feet and sweating when you have a cold", in fact, this may aggravate the condition. When you have a fever, your body needs to rest quietly, and soaking your feet will speed up blood circulation, which is not conducive to reducing fever.
Dr. Cheung emphasises, "Soaking your feet is good, but it also varies from person to person. Some people may not be suitable for foot soaking, such as those with foot wounds or skin diseases. If you feel unwell after soaking your feet, you should seek medical attention promptly. "
So, for healthy people, how to soak their feet correctly to achieve the best results?
First of all, it is important to choose the right time to soak your feet. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the best time to soak your feet is between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. This is the time when the body's metabolism is at its most vigorous, and foot soaking can promote blood circulation and help the body remove toxins.
Secondly, the choice of water temperature is also crucial. Generally speaking, the water temperature should be 40-43 degrees. You can test the temperature of the water with your elbow, preferably if it feels warm but not hot. The foot soaking time is usually controlled for 15-30 minutes, and the feet are slightly red and the whole body is slightly sweaty.
Ms. Liu, a primary school teacher, shared her experience of soaking her feet: "I like to add mugwort leaves or peppercorns to the water, which feels very comfortable. After soaking my feet, I dry my feet with a towel and do a simple massage. This will not only relax your body and mind, but also improve your sleep quality. "
In addition to simply soaking your feet in hot water, you can also add some traditional Chinese medicine to the foot soaking water according to your personal physique and needs. For example, people who are cold and afraid of cold can add ginger slices; People with insomnia and dreams can add some sour jujube kernels; People who are short of qi and blood can choose angelica tablets. However, Dr. Zhang reminded: "It is best to consult a doctor before using Chinese medicine to soak your feet to avoid adverse reactions. "
It's important to note that while foot soak is good for your health, you can't rely too much on it. Some people think that foot soaking can replace exercise, and this idea is wrong. Soaking your feet can only play an auxiliary role, and in order to truly achieve the purpose of health preservation, you also need to cooperate with a reasonable diet and appropriate exercise.
Professor Zhao, a nutrition expert, noted, "Foot soaking does improve blood circulation, but it cannot replace the benefits of whole-body exercise. It is recommended that everyone should insist on moderate exercise while soaking their feet, such as walking, jogging, etc. "
In addition, it is important to take care of your feet after soaking. After soaking your feet, dry your feet carefully with a towel, especially between your toes. You can apply some moisturizer to prevent your skin from drying out. If you soak your feet before bed, it's best to wear cotton socks to keep your feet warm.
With the acceleration of the pace of modern life, more and more people have begun to pay attention to health preservation. Foot soaking has been widely welcomed as a simple and easy way to maintain health. However, we also need to recognize that no one-size-fits-all approach to health is a one-size-fits-all approach. Only by combining one's own situation and making reasonable choices can we truly achieve the purpose of health preservation.
As Dr. Zhang said, "Wellness is not something that can be achieved overnight, it needs to be done for a long time. Foot soaking is just one of the many ways to maintain a healthy diet, and we should also pay attention to a balanced diet, maintain a good work and rest habits, and exercise moderately. Only by paying attention to physical health in an all-round way can we truly achieve health preservation. "
Going back to Granny Li at the beginning of the article, under the guidance of Dr. Zhang, she learned the correct way to soak her feet. Now, she soaks her feet in warm water for 15 minutes every night, which improves her sleep quality without getting burned. Granny Li said with a smile: "I used to think that soaking my feet was very simple, but I didn't expect that there would be so much exquisiteness. Now I'm knowledgeable about soaking my feet! "
Through Granny Li's experience, we can see that even seemingly simple foot soaking requires us to adjust according to our own situation. The way of health preservation lies in persistence and wisdom. Let's learn together, use scientific methods to take care of our health, and enjoy the beauty of life.
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(The story in the article is purely fictional, if there is any similarity is purely coincidental, if the body is not well, seek medical help in time)