Foot Massage
Feet bear the weight of our bodies every day, and it is so important to keep them healthy with massage, reflexology and stretching :) 👣
✦ What happens during a Foot Massage?
Foot Massages with me feel so nice, I cannot describe :) ♥︎
If you would like an in-depth foot massage, I look at how your foot moves when you walk, and how your pelvis is aligned - which affects leg length. If your foot doesn’t go through the full range of motion, heel to toe, it can cause tightness in your calf and ankles. I will start at the calf, working with the very deep muscles on the back and outer part of your calf. Then I address the tendons and muscles on the sole of the foot. Techniques include kneading, myofascial release, muscle energy technique, positional release, trigger point therapy, dry needling and stretching. I do not do these all at once, but work my way through them until one or more techniques relieve the pain. I also incorporate Reflexology, which can have excellent effects :)
✦ Foot Massage for Specific Conditions
❉ Plantar fasciitis
This is a common and painful condition for many — especially runners and those who stand a lot. Massage and stretching can help relieve pain and help prevent the condition from becoming chronic.
❉ Edema
A condition characterized by swelling due to excessive fluid accumulation in the body’s tissues. While edema can occur in any part of the body, it most commonly affects the legs and feet. It is often associated with pregnancy or underlying health issues such as diabetes, heart problems, and kidney disorders. While resting and following a proper diet can help manage edema, foot massage has been shown to be an effective therapy for reducing swelling. Foot Massage can help stimulate blood flow and lymphatic drainage, eliminating the excess fluids that cause swelling. In addition to reducing swelling, Foot Massage can also help relieve pain and discomfort associated with edema. The pressure applied during the massage can help release tension and promote relaxation, further supporting the body’s natural healing process.
❉ Heel Pain
Chronic heel pain is common for individuals with flat feet or a low foot arch and can cause discomfort during daily physical activities. This pain can occur due to inflammation or degeneration of the plantar fascia—the connective tissue in the foot’s arch. Foot Massages can be an effective way to reduce this pain. By focusing on massaging the foot arch and applying pressure, foot massage can help improve circulation and promote the healing process of the inflamed or damaged plantar fascia. In some cases, regular Foot Massage may lead to a complete resolution of chronic heel pain. Many people also just neglect their feet :( this can lead to hardened, cracked, painful heels. If you have dry heels, as part of your massage I can remove dead skin (with pumice stones, natural bristle brushes, or in more severe cases, blades) and deeply massage your heels with warm, moisturising oils, pushing the oil into dry skin so that it is all absorbed, bringing circulation back to the area.
✦ Benefits of Foot Massage
❉ Helps prevent foot and ankle injuries
A good foot massage can relieve tension and stiffness and promote better circulation and flexibility in the feet, preventing foot-related ailments such as plantar fasciitis, flat feet, and bunions. Taking care of your feet with regular massage can lead to overall better foot health, which in turn can help you stay healthy and active.
❉ Endorphins
Additionally, foot massage can stimulate the production of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, thus promoting a sense of well-being.
❉ General Benefits for Muscles and Joints
Additionally, research has shown that foot massage can promote recovery from physical injury and alleviate muscle soreness and joint pain.
❉ Balance, Flexibility
Regularly massaging your feet can help improve your balance, flexibility, and overall foot health.
❉ Lymphatic Circulation
Stimulating the feet with pressure during a Foot Massage can help to increase the circulation of lymph fluid, which carries white blood cells throughout the body. These white blood cells are responsible for fighting off harmful bacteria, viruses, and infections, ultimately leading to a better immune system.
❉ Hormonal Benefits
Additionally, foot massage can be effective in reducing the levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can weaken the immune system. By reducing stress and promoting relaxation, foot massage can help boost the body’s natural ability to fight infections and diseases.
❉ Controlled Blood Pressure
Hypertension, is a common condition often caused by poor diet, lack of exercise, and stress. Regular Foot Massages can help to manage this condition effectively. Applying pressure to specific muscles in the feet, particularly the sole, has been found to be helpful in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. Although foot reflexology is dismissed by some, some studies show that foot reflexology can lower systolic blood pressure and decrease blood triglyceride levels in people with hypertension. By enhancing relaxation, foot massage can reduce stress and promote better circulation, leading to healthier blood pressure levels. With regular foot massage, individuals with hypertension can experience significant improvements in their blood pressure readings, contributing to better overall health and well-being.
❉ Blissful and Addictive Feeling
Having deep pressure applied to trigger points on the soles of the feet can feel like bliss. I like to also use cooling jade stones to get deeply into the soles of the feet. Those who enjoy foot massages, really enjoy foot massages, and I think my Foot Massage is the best that there is :)
These are just some of the many benefits that a professional Foot Massage will give, please call me for more information or if you have any questions. Also, many clients would like to end, for example, a Relaxing Swedish Massage with a Foot Massage - so a shortened Foot Massage and Reflexology Treatment can slot into most other Massages that I offer. I have not listed the potential of Reflexology and Acupressure here - but please do look it up if curious :))
