Foot Spa And Diabetic/stroke Victim

[Stephen_G]

My Mother and I have been having a discussion about the above. She had one bought for her, but the instructions claimed that anyone who is Diabetic should refrain from using one. She asked her Diabetic Nurse and she hadn't heard of such a thing. The Chemist also couldn't give her an answer

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4441878.htm

The reason for the question is I am thinking of buying some sort of Massaging cushion for my Nephew's Fiancée (She suffers from lower back pain), and my Mother was looking through the Argos catalogue and came across the Foot Spas and mentioned not being able to use hers.

Anyone able to put the question to bed?

[DJHawkes]

I've been aware of this for years but not sure why or from where i heard it.
I found this though:
Diabetics sometimes lose sensation in their extremities; if they have lost sensitivity to hot and cold, then a foot spa or hot water bottle can burn them before they realize it has occurred. That, however, is for people who have in fact lost sensation in their feet; if you know that your feet are fine (that's sometihng your doctor should be checking for yearly), then there's no reason not to use one.

[Stephen_G]

Thanks for that, Dot. Just read that myself on Yahoo answers.

Does beg the question "Why wouldn't you test the water temperature with another part of the body BEFORE you stick your feet in?" You could argue that your bath water would be the same (Assuming that the person is able to get into the bath...

Will wait and see if anyone else can shed any light.

[woofgang]

page 20 here says about nerve damage and hot water.
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Documents/Guide%20to%20diabetes/monitoring/diabetes-and-your-feet-socap-0113.pdf

There is also a comment earlier in the book about being careful about soaking your feet.

I think that manufacturers and vendors are now super careful about such things as some people will now sue at the drop of a hat.

[Sqad]

I can see no scientific or practical reason why a diabetic or stroke victim should not use this application. Nerve damage with loss of sensation to the legs and feet (Diabetic Neuropathy) occurs in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics due to poorly controlled blood sugar levels over a long period of time.....maybe as long as 20 years.

I think that woofgang's final statement in her post above says it all.

I would have that that the described apparatus would be beneficial to an elderly person, particularly if they had mobility problems, in stimulating venous blood return to the heart.

[Stephen_G]

Thanks for the replies woofgang and Sqad.

Actually, we'd come to the same conclusion, Sqad, that someone suffering from poor blood circulation would actually benefit from using a foot spa, rather than being discouraged.

[Dee Sa]

go to your local boot sale there are always loads of foot spas on offer.

[Connemmara]

I used one - but for all the sensation you get from them I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[pixie373]

We got one for a diabetic client as it was suggested by the GP to help the circulation in his feet. He just said- be careful of the water temperature and make sure the feet are thoroughly dry after, especially between the toes.

[pixie373]

...and then moisturise the feet to prevent the skin drying out.

[Cloverjo]

I think they are more of a faff than they are worth. I bought one for my OH as he has problems with his feet and is standing on them all day. With all the carrying and slopping of the spa and water over to your favourite armchair for a supposed relaxing foot massage, which actually you can hardly feel, it's not worth the hassle. Plus you can hardly relax as you know you've got to get up and empty the thing soon, probably spilling more water on the floor. My OH only used his once, and we gave it away.

[islasmum]

I'm diabetic and have neuropathy in my feet which in my case means that I cannot feel variations of heat in my feet, but can still feel touch as normal.it
It just means that I'm very careful about water temperature, and also don't go barefoot another, as it might mean that you might read on something sharp, and not notice. I also moisturize my feet every night, and check my toes. I can't see why your mother shouldn't use a foot spa if she wanted to, and checked the heat carefully.

[nungate]

I have a foot spa and my daughter who is also diabetic uses it, with no problems so far. I must admit neither of us have ever heard of this, just make sure the water isn't too hot - I just wish I could persuade her not to wander around the house barefoot!

[Stephen_G]

Thank you Dee Sa, Connemmara, Pixie, Clover, islasmum and nungate, for the extra replies .

So, the general consensus seems to be as long as you have no problems with your feet then you are OK to use a foot spa. But a check-in with the Doc wouldn't be a bad idea.

I should also point out that I listed the Elle McPherson foor spa from the Argos catalogue as it had the footnote about Diabetic use. I checked out three on Amazon, and only the first one I came across had anything about Diabetics.

[pixie373]

Diabetics need to be extra careful with feet, i think they are just being cautious.