There are various types of ion therapy, but all of them aim to rid the body of toxins by preventing new ones from entering the system. Toxins come from almost every aspect of daily life, including food, air, and medications and other things used on the body. Heating and air conditioning systems are to blame, because they produce high quantities of positive ions. Ion therapy can be aimed at either the environment of neutralizing positive ions in the air, or in the body.
One type of ion therapy comes in the form of a foot soak. The device used looks like any other foot bath, but it charges and an electric current with negative ions flows inside through the water. This charge is thought to pull toxins out of the body through the pores of the feet. Although enlarged versions of this type of therapy can be used, the feet are the primary area for home use because the pores are large and numerous, which according to some allows more toxins to escape.
The idea behind this type of ion therapy is similar to the way a sauna works. The temperatures inside both steam and dry saunas become very hot, making anyone inside sweat. Exit toxins through sweat and leave the body. Ion-targeted body therapy works the same way, but instead of inducing sweat, it pulls toxins through an electric current. As toxins are released, positive ions in the body are neutralized so that they can cause harm.
Ion therapy that targets the air can come in many forms, typically through a heating or air conditioning unit, or an air purifier. Heat induction, for example, is considered capable of producing negative ions and emitting them through the air. This allows them to neutralize any positive ions within a certain area, creating healthier air. They also neutralize or destroy many airborne particles such as bacteria and some allergens.
There are many symptoms associated with positive ion overexposure. They can include tiredness, rapid or irregular heartbeat, allergies, and other serious conditions such as cancer. While negative ion therapy is still in its early years, it has proven effective in studies and with consumers who report feeling better after employing therapy techniques. Ion therapy works best when combined with a healthy lifestyle, which includes a balanced diet and getting plenty of exercise. The results can also be improved by using heating and air conditioning units that do not emit positive ions.
