Foot massage: what is useful and how to do it?

Initially, the art of foot massage was available only to the practitioners of oriental medicine, and then safely passed to the Europeans. It has developed incessantly and today everyone can relax the muscles of the feet with massage movements and give their feet a rest after a hard day at work.

Let's start with a little anatomical excursion. Our foot is the distal part of the lower limb, which is made up of twenty-six bones and thirty-three joints. The foot provides us with freedom of movement, the ability to maintain balance and resistance during various movements.

The longitudinal and transverse arch of the foot "unload" the lower limbs, pelvis and spine. The correct placement of the foot is not only ensured by the muscles and blood vessels. The foot is supported by one hundred and seven ligaments, thirty-one tendons, and seventy thousand nerve endings.

The latter form reflexogenic zones associated with the work of internal organs and body systems. It is no coincidence that the feet are a direct reflection of our health, since their condition indicates the presence of diseases. So, the skin of the feet of a white shade "speaks" of anemia, and red - about the presence of diabetes or cardiovascular diseases. Wet and cold feet "signal" thyroid disease, and hot feet can be signs of hypertension or atherosclerosis.

Often, the procedure begins with gentle strokes and ends with them. Thus, you not only relieve tension from the muscles of the legs, but also improve the health of the whole body.

Before moving on to the intricacies of massage techniques, let's see how this type of medical procedure is useful.

The beneficial effect on the body allows the use of massage as an auxiliary therapy. With its help, orthopedic pathologies such as flat feet, valgus feet, spurs or arthrosis are corrected. Foot massage is often prescribed at the first signs of varicose veins and atherosclerosis. In patients with diabetes mellitus, it allows you to prevent a number of complications, including "diabetic foot".

Ten to twenty minutes a day dedicated to soothing foot massage improves blood circulation, helps lower blood pressure, and relieves migraines. Gently massaging movements reduce anxiety, help you relax, and improve sleep. Massage relieves PMS symptoms in women, and men resort to this reflexology to prevent pelvic diseases. Regardless of gender, stroking movements help to improve the general condition, rejuvenate the body, normalize metabolic processes and improve mood.

After all, it reduces the risk of injury to the feet and ankle joints, and helps to improve athletic performance. If the trouble has already happened, it is possible to speed up recovery and relieve pain in the injured muscle by stroking and rubbing.

With all its advantages, massage is a physiotherapy procedure, which is not allowed to everyone.

• Reflexology is absolutely contraindicated in patients suffering from mental disorders, gallstone disease and dermatological diseases.
• Massaging is unacceptable in the presence of gangrene and convulsive syndrome, trophic ulcers and thrombophlebitis.
• With tuberculosis, diseases of the blood system, oncology, it is also prohibited. A febrile condition or exacerbation of a chronic disease is also a direct contraindication.

In addition to complete bans on the procedure, there are a number of time restrictions.

• The reason for the prohibition of massage for a pregnant woman is the increased tone of the uterus. Also, women are prohibited from physiotherapy in the presence of a phyoma or cyst. Any massaging movements may be contraindicated in hypertension, varicose veins and diabetes mellitus.
• Diseases of the foot joints, a tendency to bleeding, allergies in the acute stage or the consequences of myocardial infarction are also not indications for performing massage procedures.

If the medicine gives "the go-ahead", proceed to massage, observing all the doctor's recommendations. If your foot hurts during the massage, and after the procedure you feel uncomfortable, give up any kind of pressing, rubbing and stroking and do not pull with a trip to the attending doctor.

If you set out to improve your health and the well-being of loved ones with the help of foot massage, do it taking into account the reflex zones located on the foot.

You should know their location in order to carry out a high-quality and complete procedure.

• The ovaries project the center of the heel. If the slightest pressure leads to pain or discomfort, see a gynecologist: it is quite possible that you need to stop the inflammatory process. For men, the center of the heel is massaged to strengthen men's health, the slightest discomfort should also serve as a reason for visiting a doctor.
• Active massaging actions aimed at the arch of the foot will help to overcome insomnia.
• Symptoms of diseases of the stomach, adrenal glands and kidneys will be facilitated by massaging the point in the depths of the fornix.

• Massaging the lateral areas of the soles will "cure" ailments in the ears. Also, this type of manipulation is useful for a sore throat or bronchial disease.
• With a runny nose and sinusitis, you should actively knead your toes.
• On the foot are a kind of "buttons" that allow you to influence certain organs. So, the big toe is a projection of the pituitary gland, the front of the sole and the arch of the left leg are responsible for the activity of the heart muscle. The latter is additionally stimulated by massage of the protruding area under the thumb.

• The tip of each toe is massaged to relieve migraines.
• Manipulations on the bend of the second and third fingers stimulate the optic nerve.
• The central part of the foot is actively used if the patient suffers from pulmonary, asthmatic diseases or shortness of breath.

Today there are many methods for improving your body, but we will list only the popular ones.

Reflex massage is considered the easiest and most effective. Even ancient Chinese healers found that massaging certain zones provides an influx of Qi - energy that restores health. Therefore, the essence of this massage is to influence certain areas of the foot in order to restore blood flow. This method also helps to eliminate toxins and restore the natural state of tissues. The impact on the zones should be relaxing, and the treatment of the sole itself should be carried out according to the increasing pressure.

Surely someone will be interested in the practice of Japanese acupressure, called "shiatsu". His technique is performed by rhythmic pressure on the bioactive points of the sole. Shiatsu is designed to boost immunity and speed up the recovery process. However, keep in mind: performing the procedure in this technique requires experience, skills and knowledge. If you want to experience the beneficial properties of shiatsu, contact an experienced massage therapist.

The Thai technique relieves pain in the feet and fights against muscle tension, and also helps to restore the functions of each internal organ.

It does this by massaging the toes, each of which is "responsible" for a specific organ.

• The thumb (namely, its top) projects onto itself the work of the liver, and its lower part, originating from the outer nail edge, is responsible for the work of the spleen and pancreas.
• "General" massage of the thumbs helps to cope with psycho-emotional disorders, migraines, jaundice, gastritis and ulcers.
• Massaging the second finger improves stomach function and promotes better absorption of food.
• Energy flows connect the small and large intestines with the third finger, the gallbladder with the fourth. The genitourinary system is associated with the little finger.

Along with Thai, there is an Ayurvedic massage system based on ancient Indian philosophy. Its main postulate is the unity of the spiritual, physical and mental principles, which is achieved by massaging certain areas on the sole of a person. Each zone is associated with one of the elements of the universe. For example, the heel is the projection of the Earth, the arch of the sole is the Water. The pads of the feet are associated with the fire element, the fingers are associated with Air, and the pads of the fingers are a projection of Ether.

Often, both experienced and novice massage therapists use rose or sandalwood oils. If you prefer essential formulations, add them to your base oil of choice.The pleasant aroma of the oils inspires a relaxing or erotic massage when the sole is rubbed with gentle light movements, squeezed from the inside and outside, and even slightly pinched.

The world does not stand still, the development of technology has also affected the usual manual massage. The first devices appeared in the eighteenth century. Well, today there is such a direction as hardware massage, represented by a number of ultrasonic, vibration and hydro-massagers.

The latter are especially popular in beauty salons, where women are massaged their feet before or after a pedicure procedure. The popularity of acupressure electric massagers, which is a quality imitation of popular massage techniques, is growing in popularity.

Imperceptibly, we approached to independently start the massage. Let's look at the stages of preparation and conduct of the procedure, which will help you perform it correctly.

First of all, take note of a few simple rules.

• Prepare the site for your upcoming massage. The temperature in the room should be comfortable, the chair or sofa should be comfortable.
• Take out a roller or pillow to place under your knees. For this purpose, you can roll the towel tightly. If you plan to massage yourself, prepare a comfortable rest.
• The soles of the feet are massaged in turn, covering the free leg with a soft towel or warm blanket.
• The maximum benefit from the procedure is the use of creams and oils. They are a kind of catalyst for a tonic, relaxing and warming effect. It is also permissible to use a special cooling cream.

• If a relaxing foot massage is important to you, you can make your own oil. Take castor, olive or soybean oil as a base (no more than two teaspoons). Three drops of lavender oil and one drop of geranium and chamomile oils are added to it, and then all the ingredients are mixed. The potion is enough for one session, one teaspoon will take one sole. Before the procedure, the oil should be warmed up to thirty-seven degrees, and at the end of the massage, put on warm socks.
• Prepare a cover for your sofa or armchair to avoid staining your furniture.
• The evening hours are considered the best time for a relaxing treatment, when you are at home and relaxing after a busy day.

• Massage is not done immediately after a meal: at least an hour should pass from dinner to the start of the session. It is useful to drink a glass of water at room temperature immediately before the session. After the session, you need to do the same to help the body remove toxins and toxins.
• Do not smoke immediately after the massage, as the relaxed body becomes easily vulnerable to harmful substances.
• Before the massage, they wash their feet and warm their hands: you must admit that the touch of icy palms is not very pleasant.
• Foot massage is performed with stroking, rubbing, kneading and even vibrating manipulations, and you yourself or your potential "client" should feel complete relaxation during the procedure.

The preparatory "work" is completed, let's move on to action. It is best to start with yourself, so consider the simplest self-massage technique.

You should sit down more comfortably, stretch one leg in front of you, bend the other at the knee and start massaging.

• The top of the sole is relaxed with gentle strokes. This warms it up and stimulates blood circulation. Movements should be started from above, and then gradually "lower" them towards the ankle. Stroking the top of the foot is performed at least five to six times, and then the bottom of the foot is massaged in the same way.
• To relax the soles and joints, grasp the heel with the palm of one hand, fixing the foot. With your free hand, grasp the pads of your fingers. After that, you gently rotate the foot five times from right to left and vice versa.
• When the joints are relaxed, the fingers can be extended. One hand holds the leg firmly under the instep. With the second thumb, press on the lower part of the big toe so that it slowly extends upward. After that, the finger should be rotated around its axis, clasping it with the thumb and forefinger.

• The movement is called smooth sliding. One hand covers and fixes the heel, and the fingers of the other move smoothly back and forth between the toes. The slide is performed six to seven times for each leg.
• The rise is squeezed like this: with one hand you fix the heel, and with the lower part of the second press on the base of the foot alternately from the right and left. When performing these actions, additional efforts are not needed, since the rise is sensitive to squeezing sensations.
• The final stage of the procedure is the stroking we are already familiar with. Complete them, put on cozy home socks and enjoy the comfort of your home and pleasant rest.

It is very simple to carry out massage procedures, but at the same time they are very monotonous.

So that you do not get bored with performing the same manipulations, listen to the recommendations of specialists.

• To work out the nerve endings and energy channels of the feet, you can and should connect the materials at hand. For example, you can put smooth stones, peas, chestnuts or beans in a low-sided box. A store-bought rug that imitates sea pebbles is also suitable. Walking barefoot on such uneven surfaces is a great warm-up in itself.
• Don't neglect regular leg exercises. This is walking on heels and toes, flexion and extension of the sole. This also includes rolling a massage ball or trying to lift an object like a pencil with a bent foot. With regular exercise, these exercises have a strong healing effect and are an excellent prevention of swelling, seizures and venous diseases.

• Regular smooth sticks with a diameter of at least four centimeters will help to overcome pain, cramps, heaviness and fatigue of the legs. Nothing special is required, just roll them with your feet for two minutes. At the same time, you should not get carried away with the idea of ​​buying special sticks with rounded ends that stimulate biologically active points and are designed for professional use.
• At home, it is permissible to use various roller massagers. They help warm up the sensitive points of the sole, onto which the internal organs are projected. If painful sensations appear on any part of the foot, do not ignore them. Try to see your doctor as soon as possible to start timely treatment. Regular exercise will break the painful hardening, which will speed up the healing process, but continue using the massager only with the permission of the doctor.

• Another great invention is magnetic insoles with elastic spikes on the surface and healing magnetic balls inside. Wearing them is identified with the habitual walking barefoot. They work very simply: you put magnetic insoles in your sneakers, put your shoes on your bare feet and walk around the apartment for five to ten minutes. Painful sensations are possible at first, but they pass quickly. Gradually, the walking time with magnetic insoles should be increased to fifteen minutes.
• Warm foot baths increase blood circulation and are an excellent prevention of osteochondrosis. They should be performed after the massage before going to bed, since in a dream the body is freed from accumulated toxins, and warm water helps to enhance the cleansing process. The water temperature should be forty to fifty degrees, the feet are kept in it from fifteen minutes to half an hour.

Judging by the numerous reviews, massage was and remains a wonderful reflexology technique.All those who have tried the effect of soothing manipulations on themselves consider massage to be one of the most effective and useful methods of treatment.

Many massage fans help not only themselves, but also their loved ones, allowing them to relax after a busy day at work. After all, the gentle touch of warm hands soothes the best in the world, smooth methodical movements contribute to relaxation, and in general, the procedure improves mood and strengthens health.

You can learn more about foot massage in this video.