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

Initially, the art of foot massage was available only to Eastern medicine practitioners, and then successfully passed to the Europeans. It has constantly developed and today everyone can relax the muscles of the feet with massaging movements and give the legs a rest after a busy day.

Let's start with a small anatomical excursion. Our foot represents the distal part of the lower limb, which consists 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.

Longitudinal and transverse arch of the foot "unload" lower limbs, pelvis and spine. The correct location of the foot is provided not only by the muscles and blood vessels. A hundred and seven ligaments, thirty-one tendons, and seventy thousand nerve endings support the foot.

The latter form reflexogenic zones associated with the work of the internal organs and body systems. It is not by chance 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" about anemia, and red - about the presence of diabetes or cardiovascular diseases. Wet and cold feet “signal” about thyroid disease, and hot feet can be signs of hypertension or atherosclerosis.

Often, the procedure begins with quiet strokes and they also end. Thus, you do not just relieve tension from the muscles of the legs, but also do healing of the whole organism.

Before proceeding to the subtleties of massage technology, let's see how this type of medical procedure is useful.

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

Ten to twenty minutes a day, devoted to soothing massaging of the legs, improves blood circulation, helps to reduce blood pressure, relieves migraines. Light massaging movements reduce anxiety, help to relax and improve sleep. Massage eases the symptoms of PMS in women, and men resort to this reflexology to prevent diseases of the pelvic organs. 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 ankles, helps to improve athletic performance. If trouble has already happened, it is possible to speed up recovery and relieve pain in the injured muscle by stroking and rubbing.

With all the advantages, massage is a physiotherapeutic procedure, which is not allowed to everyone.

• Reflexology is absolutely contraindicated for patients suffering from mental disorders, gallstone disease and dermatological diseases.
• Massaging is unacceptable in the presence of gangrene and convulsions, trophic ulcers and thrombophlebitis.
• In case of tuberculosis, diseases of the blood system, oncology, it is also prohibited. Fever or exacerbation of chronic disease is also a direct contraindication.

In addition to the total bans on the procedure, there are a number of temporary restrictions.

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

If medicine gives “good”, proceed to the massage, following all the recommendations of the doctor. If during the massage the foot hurts, and after the procedure you do not leave a feeling of discomfort, give up any kind of pressing, rubbing and stroking and do not pull off with the campaign to the treating doctor.

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

Their location should be aware of for a high-quality and complete procedure.

• The center of the heel is projected by the ovaries. If the slightest pressing leads to painful or unpleasant sensations, show yourself to the gynecologist: it is quite possible that the inflammatory process should be stopped. Men center the heels are massaged to enhance men's health, the slightest discomfort should also be a reason to visit the 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 facilitate massaging a point in the depth of the arch.

• Massage of the lateral sections of the soles will “cure” the ailments of the ears. Also this type of manipulation is useful in case of sore throat or bronchial disease.
• With a cold and sinus should actively knead the toes.
• On the foot are peculiar "buttons" that allow you to act on certain organs. So, the thumb 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 a massage of the protruding zone under the thumb.

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

To date, there are many techniques to improve your body, but we will list only the popular ones.

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

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: the procedure in this technique requires experience, skills and knowledge. If you want to experience the benefits of shiatsu, contact an experienced masseuse.

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

This is due to the massaging of the toes, each of which is "responsible" for a particular organ.

• The thumb (namely, its top) projects on itself the work of the liver, and its lower part, originating from the external nail edge, is responsible for the work of the spleen and pancreas.
• "General" massage of the thumbs helps to cope with psycho-emotional disorders, migraine, jaundice, gastritis and an ulcer.
• Massaging the second finger improves the functioning of the stomach and contributes to better digestion of food.
• Energy flows connect the small and large intestines with the third finger, the gallbladder with the fourth. The urogenital system is connected to the little finger.

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

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

The world is not in place, the development of technology has affected the usual manual massage. The first appliances appeared in the eighteenth century. Well, today there is such a direction as hardware massage, represented by a number of ultrasonic, vibro and hydro massagers.

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

Unnoticed, we came to the idea of ​​independently initiating a massage. Let's take a look at the steps of preparing and conducting a procedure that will help you carry it out correctly.

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

• Prepare a place for the upcoming massage. The temperature in the room should be comfortable, a chair or sofa - comfortable.
• Remove the cushion or pillow to put it under your knees. For this purpose, you can tightly roll the towel. If you plan to massage yourself, prepare a comfortable stand.
• The feet are massaged in turns, covering the free leg with a soft towel or warm blanket.
• The maximum benefit from the procedure allows to extract the use of creams and oils. They are a kind of catalyst for a toning, 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 prepare the oil yourself. Take castor, olive or soybean oil as a basis (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. There will be enough drugs for one session, one teaspoon will go to one sole. Before the procedure, the oil should be heated to thirty-seven degrees, and at the end of the massage wear warm socks.
• Prepare a cover for a sofa or chair so as not to stain furniture.
• Evening hours are considered the best time for relaxing treatments when you are at home and relaxing after a busy day.

• Massage is not done immediately after a meal: from dinner to the beginning of the session should take at least an hour. Just before the session it is useful to drink a glass of water at room temperature. After the session, you must do the same to help the body remove toxins and toxins.
• Immediately after the massage can not be smoked, because the relaxed body becomes easily vulnerable to harmful substances.
• Before the massage, they wash their feet and warm their hands: agree that the touch of icy palms is not very pleasant.
• Foot massage is performed by stroking, rubbing, kneading, and even vibrating manipulations, and you or your potential “client” should feel complete relaxation during the procedure.

Preparatory "work" completed, go to action. It’s best to start with yourself, so consider the simplest self-massage technique.

You should sit down comfortably, stretch one leg in front of you, bend the other in the knee and begin to massage.

• The top of the sole is relaxed with soft stroking. It warms it up and stimulates blood circulation. Movement should start from the top, and then smoothly "reduce" 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, palm of one hand should clasp the heel, fixing the foot. With your free hand, clasp your fingertips. After that, you gently turn the foot five times from right to left and vice versa.
• When the joints relax, you can pull the fingers. One hand firmly holds the leg under the rise. The second thumb should be pressed on the bottom of the big toe so that it slowly stretches upwards. After that, the finger should be rotated around its axis, clasping it with your thumb and forefinger.

• The movement got the name smooth gliding. One hand covers and fixes the heel, and the fingers of the second smoothly move back and forth between the toes. Sliding is performed six to seven times for each leg.
• Lifting 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 to the right and left. When performing these actions, additional efforts are not needed, since the lift is sensitive to squeezing sensations.
• The final stage of the procedure are already familiar strokes. Run them, put on cozy home socks and enjoy home comfort and pleasant rest.

Massage treatments are very simple, but at the same time they are very monotonous.

So that you are not 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 available materials. For example, smooth stones, peas, chestnuts, or beans can be poured into a low-bordered box. Suitable and purchased rug, imitating sea pebbles. Treading barefoot on such uneven surfaces is an excellent workout in itself.
• Do not neglect the usual gymnastics for the legs. This is walking on the heels and toes, flexing and stretching the sole. This also includes skating a massage ball or trying to lift an object like a pencil with a bent foot.With regular exercises, these exercises have a strong healing effect and are an excellent prevention of edema, seizures and venous diseases.

• To overcome the pain, cramps, heaviness and fatigue of the legs will help the usual smooth sticks, whose diameter is at least four centimeters. Nothing much is needed, just roll them over for two minutes. You should not get involved in the idea of ​​buying special sticks with rounded ends, stimulating biologically active points and designed for professional use.
• At home, the use of a variety of roller massagers. They contribute to the warm-up of the sensory points of the sole, onto which internal organs are projected. If there are painful sensations on any part of the foot, do not ignore them. Try to see a doctor as soon as possible to start a timely treatment. Regular classes will destroy the painful hardening, which will speed up the healing process, but use the massager only with the permission of the doctor.

• Another remarkable invention is magnetic insoles with elastic spikes on the surface and therapeutic magnetic balls inside. Their wearing is identified with the usual barefoot walking. They act very simply: put magnetic insoles in sneakers, put your shoes on bare feet and walk around the apartment for five to ten minutes. At first, painful sensations are possible, but they pass quickly. Gradually, walking time with magnetic insoles should be reduced to fifteen minutes.
• Warm foot baths increase blood circulation and are an excellent prevention of osteochondrosis. They should be performed after a massage before bedtime, because in a dream the body is freed from accumulated toxins, and warm water enhances the cleaning process. The water temperature should be forty to fifty degrees, feet in it hold from fifteen minutes to half an hour.

Judging by the numerous reviews, massage was and remains a wonderful technique of reflexology. All those who tried on themselves the action of soothing manipulations 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 promote relaxation, and in general, the procedure improves mood and improves health.

You can find out more about foot massage in this video.