Foot Massage: Relaxation And Relief From Pain
Overview
We are always on the move, whether for home or work-related activities. In this runaround, we tend to overlook that our feet, which support us, also need some unwinding and relaxation. Wearing footwear for prolonged periods or if our work involves standing for a long time or any other such activity may lead to tension in the feet. Therefore, we must learn to focus on our feet as well. Our feet support our body and we should care for them, as they have a “weight to carry.”
We all have done the occasional soak-our-feet-in-warm-water and found it so soothing and a big relief from tired feet.
Origin
Foot massages have been around for centuries across the world. In India, in the scriptures – the Vedas, mentions that Lord Narayana’s feet were massaged by his consort Goddess Lakshmi.
In the Chinese book “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine” which dates to the 1st Century BC, reference is made to the six meridians found on the leg and various massage techniques. In early times between 300 and 700 ADs, the American Indians gave prominence to foot massage which was used for diagnostic and healing purposes. In Europe, according to sources, the first book on foot massage was published by Dr. Adamus and Dr. Atatis in 1582. The foot massage was widely practiced across many European countries.
An observation by Dr. Willima H. Fitzgerald states that native Americans treated diseases by not directly healing the ill organ but by massaging the other points of the body. In his book “Zone Therapy” published by Edwin F. Bower in 1917, he divided the human body into vertical and horizontal zones and connected them with the areas of the hand and leg. This piqued the interest of many physicians and healthcare workers and converted them into followers, practitioners, and teachers of foot massage and reflex zone therapy. [1]
Benefits: How is foot massage beneficial
Let us see some of the surprising benefits of a foot massage.
- Balances Energy: Foot massage stimulates the pressure points of our feet and balances the flow of energy in our body.
- Rejuvenate: Foot massage is a good way to feel recharged and rejuvenated after a tiring day.
- Increased Focus: Foot massage increases our vitality, improves our focus and is beneficial in bring about a better sense of well-being.
- Improves Circulation: Foot massage improves blood circulation whereby oxygen and nutrients effectively reach all the organs and carriage of the waste products is easier. This reduces cardiovascular diseases and may speed up the healing and recovery process of injuries.
- Sound Sleep: Foot massage improves our sleep patterns as our body is relaxed and therefore it is easier to fall asleep and rest restoratively. Those suffering from insomnia or sleep disorders may find this beneficial.
- Immunity Booster: Our feet consist of innumerable nerves and receptors that connect to our body systems including our immune system. Foot massage stimulates these receptors thereby boosting the natural defense mechanism of our body. This makes us less prone to illness and increases our capacity to recover rapidly.
- Detox: Did you know that our feet are important for our natural detoxification? When we sweat, the toxins and excess fluids are eliminated from our body. Foot massage stimulates the release of harmful substances and reduces the risk of toxin buildup among other health issues.
- Improves digestion: Our feet have certain reflex points that are associated with our digestive system. A foot massage stimulates these points and this aids in better digestion as well as lessening gastric problems like indigestion, bloating, and constipation.
- Headache: Foot massage can reduce the severity/frequency of headaches and migraines, as it stimulates the specific pressure points related to the head and neck. Such pains can be effectively managed thereby reducing the dependency on medication.
- Emotional Wellness: Foot massage calms and relaxes us. It helps us manage our mood swings and emotional stress. It has a soothing effect and is beneficial for our mental and emotional wellness. It also increases our positivity. [2]
Types Of Foot Massage
- Swedish Foot Massage: This is the most used type of foot massage that is gentle and involves the use of different stroke styles like deep circular movements, long strokes, kneading, tapping, and vibration that help our feet to relax and energize them.
- Deep Tissue Foot Massage: This involves pressure being applied on the points that release tension, provide relaxation, and support the natural healing of our body. It helps in relieving pain and discomfort caused by edema.
- Shiatsu Foot Massage: This involves application of gentle pressure to specific points that helps to enhance the flow of blood and circulation of essential nutrients and oxygen to our tissues, aids in flushing out toxins and improves our overall health.
- Arch Rubs: This involves holding the top of the foot in one hand and rubbing the length of its arch with the fingers of the other hand. This aids in stretching and relaxing the feet thereby lessening the foot pain.
- Sports Foot Massage: This type of massage helps athletes before, during, and after training/sports activities. It aids in increasing flexibility, preventing injuries, and improving performance.
- Reflexology: This type focuses on the application of gentle pressure on the feet to real the body and aid in the self-healing of the body. It is somewhat similar in function to acupressure and acupuncture working on the pressure points of the hands and feet, both.
- Thai Foot Massage: This is an age-old therapy that promotes healing and remaining healthy. Various techniques like hands, knuckles or sticks are used by the therapist which is beneficial for improving blood circulation and range of motion in the body. Studies show its effectiveness in patients with Type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy.
- Trigger Point Massage: This type of massage entails the release of tension from the trigger points that correspond to the different body parts, and restores balance and healing.
- Hot Stone Foot Massage: This involves the use of heated basalt River rock on the different points of our body. The heat, minerals present in the rock and the pressure all together give off a healing effect. It relieves muscle pain and tension in our feet and lower legs.
- Ayurveda Foot Massage: This type of foot massage is also known as “Padabhyanga” and is a traditional Indian style. This involves the use of aromatic oils and “Swedana (fomentation) to rebalance the three Doshas (Vata, Pitha, and Kapha) – elemental substances in our body, clears our energy channels (“Srotas”) and restores the movement of blocked body fluids, which when combined relax the body, improve the circulation, reduce stress and provide healing from illnesses.
A good example is the ‘Kansya Thali massage”- a technique that entails the use of small bowls or plates made of ‘Kansya’ or bronze (an alloy of copper, zinc, and tin) to massage the feet. This stimulates the nerve endings in our feet and improves blood circulation, increases the strength of our feet, and helps to balance our mind and body.
Scientific principles say that each of our hands and feet represent each part of our body and when these points are massaged, it stimulates energy, blood, nutrition, and nerves causing a therapeutic effect on our body.
So, “whenever you are dead on your feet, put your feet down, and take the load off your feet”! In other words, get a foot massage!
