Wellness dictionary

Little ABC for your spa-break questions ...

In their treatment discriptions, wellness hotels often use technical terms, which are hard to understand for potential guests. We have therefore collected and defined the most relevant terms in our small wellness ABC. A tip: Our wellness dictionary also supports word requests. You don't need to know the exact wording.

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Footbath

Warm and cold foot baths as part of Kneipp therapy

Back in the days, when people still used to walk a lot, they were often offered a footbath as welcome gesture. This tradition unfortunately got lost, as these days, we usually travel to places by car or by train. Over 100 years ago, Sebastian Kneipp discovered the healing effects of water and became famous for his treatment methods. Among them was also the footbath. A footbath does not only imply covering feet in water unlike a lot of people think but is also about covering lower legs and knees with water.

How to do a cold footbath

A cold footbath tempers the body, helps to relax after a long day and fights sleep disturbances. A footbath might even help to ease hot flushes and headaches. A treatment should last between 15 to 60 seconds. The water temperature should be around 15°C. After the treatment, dry your feet properly and put on warm socks. Move around until your feet feel warm again.

How to do a warm footbath

Warm footbaths are especially nice on a cold winter day. Besides that, they also help to reduce nervousness, as they are really calming. A warm footbath lasts much longer than a cold one. The treatment takes about 30 minutes and the water should have a temperature of about 36°C. To complete the treatment, shower your feet with cold water. People with varicose veins or thrombosis should not conduct a warm footbath.

How to do a contrast bath

For a contrast bath you need two containers. Fill one of them with 38°C hot water and the other one with 18°C cold water. Start by putting your legs in warm water for about 10 minutes and then put them in cold water for about 10 seconds. Repeat this procedure about three times. Important: The treatment should always finish with a cold footbath. After, dry your feet properly. Put on socks and walk around for a bit.

What to consider when taking a footbath

You should not add soap to a footbath as it hurts the protective acid mantle. This can in the worst-case scenario lead to eczemas or fungal infections. A footbath is not only a relaxing treatment but can even have a therapeutic effect.