Earthing - The Positive Side of Being Grounded

Did you know that there is a natural healing modality called earthing, also referred to as grounding? It involves a simple, but mostly ignored practice of walking on the ground barefoot.

The following is a quote from an article published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health titled - Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth's Surface Electrons: "The research done to date supports the concept that grounding or earthing the human body may be an essential element in the health equation along with sunshine, clean air and water, nutritious food, and physical activity."

According to Dr. Jeff Spencer, earthing/grounding was used by the Discovery and Postal Service Teams during the Tour de France to improve sleep, reduce pain, and recover faster with more energy. 

Earthing is the first intervention known to speed recovery from DOMS

Pain reduction from sleeping grounded has been confirmed in a controlled study on DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. According to the researchers involved "earthing is the first intervention known to speed recovery from DOMS." 

Great news for the weekend warriors among us!

A study published in the Journal of Inflammation Research showed that "Grounding reduces or even prevents the cardinal signs of inflammation following injury: redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function. Rapid resolution of painful chronic inflammation was confirmed in 20 case studies using medical infrared imaging." and concluded that "Accumulating experiences and research on earthing, or grounding, point to the emergence of a simple, natural, and accessible health strategy against chronic inflammation, warranting the serious attention of clinicians and researchers. The living matrix (or ground regulation or tissue tensegrity-matrix system), the very fabric of the body, appears to serve as one of our primary antioxidant defense systems. As this report explains, it is a system requiring occasional recharging by conductive contact with the Earth’s surface – the “battery” for all planetary life – to be optimally effective."

Grounding reduces or even prevents the signs of inflammation following injury

In any case of studies where a related product is being sold (earthing mats, grounding sheets, etc), one can find a possible conflict of interest, however, going outside barefoot costs nothing and it is easy to test. There is nothing to lose (unless you count your footwear) and it FEELS GREAT.

So next time you are outside, liberate your feet and touch the Earth. It might be just the medicine you need.

Happy earthing!

Related Articles:

Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth's Surface Electrons

The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Pilot Study on the Effect of Grounding on Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness