The idea for this case study came about after a student described her experience at a
spa with an ionic foot bath. The student was skeptical about the explanation provided to her about the underlying mechanism of the foot bath and wished to know more about it. The story of this case mirrors the student’s experience and investigates
the possible basis of the treatment’s effects. Although this case focuses on ionic foot baths, it can be used to encourage students to be critical of information provided to them about purported health treatments.