Aqua Chi claims to be the leading seller of detox foot baths and spas in the United States. Purportedly, Aqua Chi's detox foot baths provide ionically charged water that helps your body "detoxify and heal." The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved Aqua Chi detox foot baths and spas to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Aqua Chi Products
Aqua Chi detox foot baths are sold through Wellspring Team Inc., headquartered in Longmont, Colorado. With respect to specific foot baths, Aqua Chi's standard model is marketed for individual use, while its line of higher-line products are targeted to spa and salon owners and alternative health practitioners. Replacement parts, such as foot bath liners, connection cables and fuses are also available. According to the manufacturer, Aqua Chi foot baths come with a five-year warranty.
Marketing Claims
Marketing claims made about Aqua Chi foot baths are that they "detox and heal" your body and balance your "energy pathways." Aqua Chi's advertising techniques rely heavily on personal testimonies, with individuals asserting that use of the foot bath relieved symptoms of menopause, cured kidney failure, and treated arthritis, limb paralysis and general pain. Other individuals claimed that use of Aqua Chi foot baths treated their child's autism or exposure to mold and heavy metals. The provider of one testimonial purportedly used the foot bath after falling off of a roof, while others allege that the foot bath simply made them feel "healthier" or helped them "detoxify." According to the manufacturer, after you place your feet in the foot bath, the water changes color -- proof that "toxins" are being released through your feet.
Cost
Aqua Chi foot baths fall in the higher range in terms of overall expense. According to Harvard Medical School, these devices can cost between $85 to $2,000 if purchased online, as of November 2010. Spas and salons typically charge between $40 and $50 per session. Aqua Chi's foot baths cost between $1,400 and $1,500 as of November 2010 with shipping fees excluded. Replacement pieces can cost as much as $150.
Efficacy
The benefits of Aqua Chi detox foot baths and those made by other manufacturers are "nonsensical," says Stephen M. Barrett of the National Council Against Health Fraud. Similarly, Harvard Medical School points out that these devices are generally harmless, and that no scientific evidence suggests that putting your feet in a detox foot bath has any health benefits. The skin on the sole of your foot cannot excrete toxins, Barrett states. Any toxic substances are removed by the kidneys and liver. The science behind detox foot baths is quite simple: the water changes color because the metal electrodes in the device rust.
Cautions
The Federal Trade Commission, the governmental regulatory agency responsible for ensuring that marketing claims are not false or misleading, advises you to treat "miracle" claims with skepticism. Avoid products and devices that purport to be a cure-all for a variety of illnesses or conditions. Disregard advertising that uses undocumented case histories or personal testimonials as part of a sales pitch. Be on guard whenever you're promised a "money-back guarantee." Finally, always defer to the smart shopper's golden rule: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
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