What is foot massage?
Foot massage is a manual technique that uses hands to gently massage the soft tissues of the feet to help manage and relieve severe pain, stress, fatigue, and take care of physical and mental health.
The human foot is where many muscles, acupuncture points, and countless nerves are concentrated, which are closely related to internal organs, blood vessels, and acupuncture points. The sole of the foot is considered the second heart of a person.
Therefore, foot massage is very important, not only to improve health such as pain relief, anti-spasm, but also to help you relax after tiring days of work. For the elderly, foot massage will help bones and joints become soft, flexible, and increase endurance.
What are the benefits of foot massage?
Foot massage will help you reduce stress, increase blood circulation, relax completely, reduce the contraction of toes, foot joints, knees… If massaged with essential oils and massage cream, it will also make your feet softer.
In addition, massage is used as a strengthening exercise for the feet and ankles. Regular foot massage 3-5 times a week will ensure that you minimize the risk of injury in the future.
Correct and effective ways to massage your feet
Step 1:
Soak your feet in warm water (about 38 degrees Celsius) with herbs or essential oils
Soak your feet in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes to clean and warm your feet. Herbs will be better conducted in warm water, making blood circulation better. Soaking your feet in water with essential oils will create a soothing feeling. Use a soft towel to dry your feet.
Step 2:
Lie on the massage bed to make your feet comfortable. Use a towel to wrap your feet to keep them warm.
Step 3:
Using essential oils, carrier oils or massage creams, rub your hands together until they are warm before starting the massage.
Step 4:
Hold your feet in the palms of your hands. Use your thumbs to gently and slowly massage from the top of the toes, then slide down the back of the foot and up to the ankle. From there, return to the toes. Repeat this movement about 3-5 times.
Step 5:
Continue holding your feet in the palms of your hands, gently grasp the straight foot, and pull it up and down 3-5 times. This will help your feet relax completely. Use your thumbs and index fingers to gently massage in circles on the underside of the soles of your feet 1 to 5 more times.
Step 6:
Place one hand under the heel, the other hand holds the foot and rotates, doing gentle movements, 3-5 times for each rotation. Repeat several times, the stiffness of the foot joints will be reduced, becoming softer. This movement is especially good for people with diseases related to arthritis.
Step 7:
Place your feet on the massage bed (or relaxation chair), still holding them in the palms of your hands and using your thumbs to gently squeeze from the heels down to the toes. Massage gently and slowly. Repeat the movement 3-5 times.
Step 8:
One hand holds the back of the ankle. Use your fingers to slide between the toes, from front to back. Massage this movement about 3-5 times. In particular, you should use your thumb to stroke around the ankle bone.
Step 9:
Now, you should focus on the soles of your feet. Use your thumbs to move in circles continuously up and down, and also side to side. Next, with one hand, hold the back of the ankle, and with the other hand, use moderate force from the inside of your hand to slide from the top to the bottom of the foot (repeat about 5 times). For areas that bear a lot of pressure due to body weight (especially the heels), use your fingers to squeeze hard to soften.
Step 10:
Finish the massage by using your hands to hold the foot, gently stroking from the ankle to the toes from top to bottom again.
