The foot patches are like a mini-infra-red sauna in that they stimulate the lymphatic system to pull poisonous substances out of the body. It is important to hunt around for a good quality brand of patch - one that does not have a strong smoky smell. They say the best ones are manufactured in Japan, esp. if the wood vinegar used in them is certified by the Japan Wood Vinegar Assoc. (or whatever it's called; it's something like that, anyway.)