Alternate hot and cold hydrotherapy of the legs were given at ten 25-minute treatments during a three-week period to 20 patients with walking induced pain in the feet and lower limbs. 70% of the patients reported reduced pain after treatment, walking ability before pain and also maximal walking ability sustained up to 1-year later. Among those who reported improved walking ability one year after treatment, systolic blood pressure in both right and left ankles and toes increased. (Elmstahl S. Lilja B. Bergqvist D. Brunkwall J. Hydrotherapy of patients with intermittent claudication: a novel approach to improve systolic ankle pressure and reduce symptoms. International Angiology. 14(4):389-94, 1995).
Alternate hot and cold hydrotherapy of the legs were given at ten 25-minute treatments during a three-week period to 20 patients with walking induced pain in the feet and lower limbs. 70% of the patients reported reduced pain after treatment, walking ability before pain and also maximal walking ability sustained up to 1-year later. Among those who reported improved walking ability one year after treatment, systolic blood pressure in both right and left ankles and toes increased. (Elmstahl S. Lilja B. Bergqvist D. Brunkwall J. Hydrotherapy of patients with intermittent claudication: a novel approach to improve systolic ankle pressure and reduce symptoms. International Angiology. 14(4):389-94, 1995).
Footbathing at 42 degrees C for 10 min, with or without additional mechanical stimulation (air bubbles and vibration) has also been shown to increase autonomic nerve and immune function. White blood cell (WBC) counts, ratios of lymphocyte subsets, and natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity were used as indicators of immune function. Footbathing with mechanical stimulation produced (1) significant changes in the measured autonomic responses, indicating a shift to increased parasympathetic and decreased sympathetic activity which are measures indicating pain relief and (2) significant increases in WBC count and NK cell cytotoxicity, suggesting an improved immune status. Saeki Y. Nagai N. Hishinuma M. Effects of footbathing on autonomic nerve and immune function. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 13(3):158-65, 2007