How to Give a Foot Massage
Too often our feet are overlooked when it comes to our health. This is surprising given that our feet are what enable us to do most of our days work. They are shoved into high heels during a long work day, they sweat in work boots under the sun, and stood upon all day at a retail shop. Our feet need pampering for good health and relaxation. Learning how to give yourself or someone else a proper foot massage is easy.
Start by getting a water basin or using a bath tub to soak your feet in for a few minutes. Sometimes adding a bit of scented oil can add the benefit of aromatherapy. Make sure the water is warm, but not too hot. Your feet should be soothed and comfortable by the temperature of the water. This soak should relax and clean your feet.
Next, find a supported surface like a sofa or bed to relax your legs and feet on. One foot should be wrapped up in a towel to keep it warm. Start massaging the other foot with your choice of oil or lotion. The oil or lotion will help reduce the friction between your hands and feet so that you are able to glide them properly over your feet for massaging. You'll also get the added benefit of moisturizing at the same time. Massage the oil or lotion over your entire foot to just above the ankle.
Before beginning deeper massages, you'll want to first warm up your foot by stretching. Stretch your foot up and down and then gently around in circles. Use both hands to grab the upper half of your foot and pull it slowly back until you feel a nice stretch through to the heel.
Now that your foot is warmed up and stretched out, it's time to do massaging strokes. Using the fingers of both hands apply strokes to the top of your foot and use your thumbs to apply strokes to the bottom of your foot. Start at your toes and then massage up to the ankle and work your way back down. Focus on the space between the tendons and bones of your feet and remember to massage around the ankle bones as well.
Next, massage your toes. Find the base joints of your toes. This is the area where your toes bend. Your fingers should still be on top of your foot and thumbs on bottom. Apply circular motions to the base of all of your toes. Then, starting with your smallest toe, toe number five, massage from the base of the toe to the tip of the toe. Follow by pulling on the toe gently in a circular motion. You may hear a slight popping. Continue until all toes are massaged. Finish your toes by putting four fingers between the spaces of your toes and gliding them back and forth and slightly up and down a few times.
It is now time to focus on the bottom of the foot. Using both your thumbs, apply circular motion going up and down and from side to side. If your feet are particularly sore and need more pressure, knead the bottom of your foot with your knuckles the way you would knead bread.
Your foot massage is finished by using your fingers on the top of your foot and thumbs on bottom. Apply light strokes starting at the toes and ending just above your ankles. Then, if you are so inclined, with your foot completely relaxed and massaged, close your eyes for just a moment and visualize all the days tension and stress dispersing from your feet. Repeat all the above with the other foot.
A Routine foot massage is an excellent way to control stress, release stress, and unwind at the end of day. It will also keep your feet healthy, clean, and less likely to develop foot injury or foot pain from whatever the work week brings you.
About the Author
Find Quality Mens and Womens Shoes, Boots and other Footwear at http://www.shoeannex.com
Tell others about
this page:
Comments? Questions? Email Here