9 Best Techniques On How to give Foot Massage [2022]

Introduction

After a prolonged period of standing and walking, our feet feel weary, pressurized, and occasionally get edematous. All These awkward signs and symptoms distort our daily health and well-being.

Imagine how these discomforts may pervert our well-being? Here, soothing and rubbing of the foot can bring us to normal and heightened relaxations.

So, Foot massage is a pretty well-recommended way to reverse this distortion and bring us back to the norm and being.

But, you may not know how and where to begin. Don’t worry. I am here to show you How to give foot massage either for yourself or for another person step by step. Let us dive in.

Pre-procedure preparations

But, before you directly dive into doing any foot massage, in order to achieve heightened and peak relaxations, there are pre-procedure activities that should be fulfilled first. This includes:

Creating good environment

• Adequate room temperature
• Lighting Candles for further relaxations
• Fresh flowers and incense add fragrance
• A suitable massage table or floor padded but firm
• A carpet with foam rubber or folded blanket on top can be used

Preparing Materials needed for foot massage

• One medium basin — used to hold water for soaking and rinsing one’s feet
• Foot file — used to remove calluses and to smoothen the skin of the feet
• Buffer stone — used to smoothen the skin and to remove the dirt
• Foot brush — used for scrubbing, polishing, grooming, or applying a liquid
• Foot lotion — a liquid used to clean, improve or protect one’s skin/hair
• Foot scrub — used to remove dirt or stains by hard rubbing
• Two hand towels — used for drying and/or wiping

Activities to be performed before a foot massage

• Soak your feet in a lukewarm water
• Wash feet thoroughly
• Remove the feet from the solution and rub with the foot scrub
• File the feet using the foot file
• Wash feet twice until water is clear
• Apply foot lotion and begin massaging

Contra indications for foot massage

• Varicose vein
• Severe edema
• Current fracture
• Contagious or infectious disease
• Lacerations
• Aches and pains

Safety and precautions during foot massage

There are situations where Foot massage is not advisable for all individuals. Especially, it is not recommended for these pregnant women’s found in childbearing age.

There are two conditions where massage therapists should avoid doing foot massage during pregnancy. One of these are the reflex points and the other is during first-trimester pregnancy.

Reflex points in the foot have their own corresponding effects somewhere else in the body. Especially, those areas believed to create related effects are on the uterus, ovaries, and cervix. These parts should be excluded from rubbing.

Because these acupressure points may mimic preterm labor and miscarriage by inducing uterine contraction and cervical ripening.

The second condition that should be avoided is during the first trimester of pregnancy. Indeed, naturally, first-trimester pregnancy is prone to miscarriages and preterm labor due to different ailments.

Moreover, giving foot massages, in the first trimester of pregnancy could exacerbate these situations. So, in order to be on the safe side, it is better if massage therapists avoid these two scenarios during pregnancy.

Steps to be followed while giving a foot massage

There appears to be no singular type of foot massage that works better than the others, and all seem to have positive benefits.

So with all the benefits to gain, and nothing to lose, why not have a go today? Given that there seems to be no particular type of massage that is any better than any other, there are many paths to choose from.

You could go to a professional masseuse, get a partner to have a go, or just do it yourself. Whatever option you choose, you stand to benefit from it. But,

It should be noted that you couldn’t do foot massage to both feet at the same time. So, you should give them one by one alternatively.

And, you can’t equally give foot massage by both hands at once. So, while the right hand is manipulating the footwork, the other hand/left should use as a supporting agent to hold it fixed and immobile.

After warming, cleaning, and lubricating the foot and hand, just dive directly into the procedure.

Milking and pressing the toes

• Use your left hand to hold the foot while your right hand is rubbing
• Milk all the toes one by one forward and pull backward
• You can hold and press in a circular motion side wards
• Use gentler and firmer pressure
• Do this repeatedly

To learn more on how to give a foot massage, Click Here.

Heel squeezing and pressing

• Always support the foot with your left hand while your right hand is manipulating
• Press the heel and squeeze it, alternatively
• Use circular, sideward, backward, and forward movements around the heel
• Repeat this frequently

Arch stroking

• The arch covers the central part of the plantar foot
• Rub it gently using light and firm alternative pressures
• Stroke it Using either your thumbs or fingers
• Use circular, forward, and backward strokes
• Do it repeatedly

Ankle rub

• Rub the ankle areas
• Encompass all its surrounding’s
• Use deep pressure
• Repeat it frequently

Top of feet gliding and pressing

• Massage the top of the foot, starting from the tip of the toes up to the ankle areas
• Use long gliding and pressing techniques
• Use your thumbs and hold the foot on the bottom foot
• Use forward, backward, and sideward gliding movements
• Use alternative light and deep pressures
• Repeat it frequently

Giving a fist/knuckle/ to the plantar area

• This is another alternative used to rub the plantar area
• Use the knuckle of your hand
• Use the other hand to hold the foot
• Use tougher and deep pressures
• Encompass the whole plantar side
• Repeat it frequently

Achilles rub

• This covers the area starting from the heel up to the calf muscles
• Knead and press the Achilles tendons from top to bottom
• Use gentler and firmer pressure
• Do it repeatedly

Sole gliding and pressing

• This encompasses the entire sole from the tip of the heel up to the toe areas
• Use gliding and pressing techniques
• Apply lighter and gentler pressures
• Do it repeatedly

Ball of plantar rub

• This covers the areas on the right top side of the plantar part below the big toe
• Use your thumbs to press it
• Use light and deep alternative pressures
• Do it repeatedly

To read more on how to give a foot massage, Click Here.

Side effects of foot massage

During or After getting a foot massage, individuals may experience different feelings which seem abnormal side effects but, actually, they are normal effects manifested by patients who undergo foot massage.

These include

• Coughing
• A feeling of light-headed
• Crying
• Perspiration of hands or feet
• A sensation of being cold or chilled
• Desire to sleep
• Thirst
• Contraction of muscle groups or pain

But, as they are minor side effects manifested after/during a foot massage, they didn’t pose serious threats, and they will recede by themselves after a few hours or days.

Benefits of foot massage

Foot massage has several benefits. Among these, the following are the main ones individuals gain following the massage session. These include:

• Reduces stress and stress-related conditions
• Improves the circulation of fluids and blood flow
• Enhances bodily relaxations
• Boosts body immunity
• Boosts mood
• Reduce headache and migraines
• Relieves anxiety and depressions
• Reduces insomnia
• Reduces high blood pressure
• Improves heart rate
• Relieve pain and soreness

To learn more about the benefits of foot massage, Click Here.

If you have any suggestions or questions, please, leave A comment.