Massage is the best technique for relaxation and also has positive effects on overall health. One of the best things you can do for yourself is self-massage.
Foot massage is actually healing. A very large number of nerve endings are concentrated on the soles, and opposite ends of those same nerves are spread in all other parts of the body. Accordingly, feet represent a map of the whole body. When you massage them, you actually stimulate them as well as other parts of the body.
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This is why it is said that feet play an important role in our nervous system. In fact, the massage is very specific pressing your thumbs on the precise points. Firmly press for a few seconds, and then move on to the next point.
Here are the top 10 health benefits of foot massage and reflexology.
1. Promotes Better Sleep
Foot massage just before going to bed can help you sleep better. A soothing and relaxing foot massage will help the body unwind, improve blood circulation and relax the nerves. These in turn will encourage restful sleep.
There are certain acupuncture points on your feet that need to be massaged to promote sleep.
Sit upright with your foot in your lap.
Using your thumb, press in and around the large plantar pad of your big toe.
Do this for at least 1 minute on each of the big toes.
Next, massage the bottom of your feet for 10 minutes with warm coconut oil, olive oil or mustard oil.
2. Improves Blood Circulation
Due to sedentary lifestyles, most of us do not use the muscles of our feet properly. Also, improper footwear like tight shoes hamper normal circulation in the feet.
You can improve your blood circulation with 10 minutes of daily foot massage. This in turn will help transport oxygen to the body’s cells, which is essential for overall health. Needless to say, you also need to opt for proper and comfortable footwear.
Foot massage will also stimulate the lymphatic system and help prevent varicose veins.
Put any massage oil in your palm and rub it firmly on your foot for several minutes.
Then, stroke the foot gently but firmly from toes to ankle with your fingers.
Finally, give a gentle massage to your lower leg also.
Repeat the same with the other foot.
3. Helps You Relax
After a long tiring day, the best way to relax is a soothing and relaxing foot massage, particularly after a long day of standing and walking around, when our feet tend to swell up.
Also, foot massage gives you energy by releasing any blockages that hold back energy and relieving symptoms of stress and fatigue.
Regular foot massage of 5 to 10 minutes before going to bed can improve feelings of general well-being. Always use warm oil for foot massage so that it easily penetrates deep in the skin. Also, use gentle yet firm strokes.
4. Fights Depression
Foot massage and reflexology can even help fight depression. According to a 2010 study published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing, receiving soothing hand or foot massages after the death of a loved one can help a lot to deal with the stressful grieving period. Foot massage provides consolation, helping people to balance the need to grieve and adapt to changes in life.
Certain points on the feet are helpful in alleviating depression symptoms. For instance, the spot in the center of the big toe, the spot at the center of the ball of your foot or the ball of the foot located under the big toe are associated with emotional stability and mental health.
Massaging these points or applying pressure to them for a few minutes 2 or 3 times a day can help relieve symptoms of depression.
5. Relieves Aches and Pains
Reflexology can help treat different types of pains and aches, such as headaches, migraines, neck pain, lower and upper backaches.
If you have neck pain, massage the toes as well as the joints that join the toes to the foot for 5 minutes firmly and soon the pain will vanish. You can do massage of the whole ankle to reduce pain and swelling in the ankle and get relief from headaches and migraines.
To relieve thigh pain or lower back pain, apply pressure with your thumb between the outer ankle bone and the Achilles tendon for a few minutes.
For upper backaches, massage the arch of the foot. Use your thumbs to apply pressure along the edge of the foot, using small circular motions. Also, massage the soles and tops of your feet.
6. Makes Feet Healthier
One easy way to keep your feet healthy and free from all kinds of foot problems is a regular foot massage. It helps stimulate the muscles around your feet, lessens stiffness and even reduces pain in the ankles or the heels.
Plus, a short 5-minute foot massage daily will make your ankles strong and flexible, thus preventing unpleasant ankle and foot injuries.
It has been found that massaging your feet with warm olive oil or coconut oil can give much relief from the pain and inflammation caused by foot tendonitis. Also, it is considered an excellent treatment for heel spurs.
It can even be beneficial to relieve the discomfort associated with burning feet sensation. Apart from oil, you can also use a foot roller for foot massage. Roll the foot roller back and forth on the soles as well as over the top of your feet for a quick massage.
7. Alleviates Edema
Regular foot massage during pregnancy can help reduce the effects of edema, which is swelling in the feet and ankles due to fluid retention. This is very common during pregnancy, especially in the last trimester.
During pregnancy, do not do your own foot massage. It is recommended to get it done by a friend, partner or professional. In fact, it best to get it done by a qualified reflexologist.
A retrograde massage with some warm massage oil is considered highly beneficial. It is done by rubbing from the toes proximally, or toward the knee. This encourage the fluid accumulated in the feet to return toward the kidneys, where it can be flushed out of the body.
Along with daily foot massage, try to keep your feet elevated whenever possible, take plenty of rest, wear comfortable shoes, drink plenty of water and eat well.
8. Eases PMS and Menopause Symptoms
Many women suffer from symptoms like feelings of sadness, irritability, insomnia, bloating, fatigue, headaches and mood swings during premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
These can be treated with daily foot massage. Even symptoms of menopause like hot flashes and depression can be effectively handled with regular foot massages.
To treat PMS and menopause symptoms, massage the Grandfather Grandson point. It is located on the inner foot, where the big toe meets the foot. Massage this acupressure point with any warm massage oil and apply steady, firm pressure. Do it for a couple of minutes and then massage the entire feet as well as the legs.
Regular foot massage will surely show a decrease in hot flashes and improvement in sleep disturbances and mood changes.
9. Restless Leg Syndrome
Foot massage is also helpful in treating restless leg syndrome, a kind of neurological disorder. Restless leg syndrome can cause difficulty sleeping due to the unpleasant sensations like throbbing, pulling and the urge to move your legs.
Massage your feet with warm coconut oil to improve blood circulation, relax the nerves and help you sleep at night.
Rub warm coconut oil on the soles of your feet and all over your legs.
Massage your legs in circular motions with gentle yet firm strokes, moving upward from the ankles.
Do this daily for 10 minutes before going to bed.
10. Lowers Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also called HBP or hypertension, can be controlled with regular foot massage. Studies have also found that foot refloxology may help reduce systolic blood pressure and triglyceride. To treat HBP, it is important to massage the solar plexus reflex. This reflex point can be easily located by squeezing each side of your foot. The hollow that forms is where the solar plexus point is.
Press this reflex point for a few seconds with your thumb and take a deep breath.
Release the thumb and breathe out.
Press for 30 seconds to 1 minute, rotate your thumb clockwise and breathe deeply.
Breathe out when releasing.
Repeat on the other foot.
Do it twice a week for several weeks.
Also, massage your entire foot for 10 minutes 2 or 3 times a week to notice improved mood, less anxiety and lower blood pressure.
Warning:
Most people can benefit from regular foot massage. However, avoid foot massage if there are burns, open or healing wounds on your feet, fractures and severe osteoporosis.
