Foot Massage: The “Know How” and Its Benefits

When it comes to foot massage, everyone can agree that this is one of the best ways to relax completely and forget about the situations that cause our everyday stress. The technique itself bears the name of reflexology and it uses the stimulation of the nerves in the palm or foot, each having its own effect on a certain organ.

The powers of this practice have been studied for a long time and it has been proven that it has the ability to alleviate headaches, stress, symptoms of a cold and many other affections. Reflexology has been practiced for thousands of years, but our focus today is on the benefits brought by foot massages.

• Mental health and wellness – A massage that lasts no more than 5 minutes a day can bring relaxation to patients in critical condition, by reducing the stress levels, blood pressure, and heart rate.
• Relieving pain – According to a study, the patients who went through a surgery showed a reduced amount of pain after having their feet massaged, as opposed to those who were only taking the medication alone, without the massage.
• Relief of cancer symptoms and chemotherapy side effects – A number of women suffering from breast cancer were massaged and in a matter of days, they reported a dramatic reduction of the physical symptoms brought be their condition and the chemotherapy they were undergoing.
• Relieving the symptoms of multiple sclerosis – A team of doctors found out that reflexology based on the massage of the foot can offer some relief from the fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis.
• Reducing high blood pressure – Some researchers from Pusan National University found that, after a therapeutic massage, the triglyceride levels, as well as the systolic blood pressure, were significantly enhanced. The hypertensive patients receiving this massage with the main purpose of reducing their blood pressure had their symptoms improved and they were even able to reduce the dosage of their medication while following this treatment.
• Relief from PMS symptoms – Bloating, mood swings or cramps can all be alleviated with this technique.
• No swollen legs – It is completely normal to have swollen legs after spending a day standing or during pregnancy. However, this is an issue that needs to be kept under surveillance, as it can signal some more severe illnesses such as kidney disease, heart failure or liver disease.

How to massage your foot

• Take a small amount of warm oil or any lotion and start spreading it all over your foot.
• Holding the foot firmly, start rubbing its top with a firm motion using your thumbs. Start with each toe and move your way up to the ankle. On your way back, rub the area using a lighter stroke.
• Keep holding your foot with both of your hands and move your thumbs to its bottom. From the tip of the toe, move your thumbs firmly towards the heel.
• Repeat these steps for the other foot as well.