Foot Massage Benefits
(7 ways it helps improve health and wellness)

Foot massage benefits include relaxation and pain relief of foot ailments, like plantar fasciitis and tendonitis, which are some of the reasons people seek massage in the first place. In fact, many people want foot massage for a good portion of the hour-long treatment.

Foot massage benefits for healthy feet everyday!

Regular foot massage helps to increase circulation in the feet, so therapists often have requests to provide different types of therapeutic massage for the feet.

7 Foot Massage Benefits 

1. Healthier, Happy Feet - Because our feet support us in everything we do - running, walking, standing and even sitting- they demand that we give them attention and proper care.
2. Better Blood Circulation - Although there are many foot massage machines that can massage the feet, and improve circulation, nothing compares to human touch.
3. Better Sleep - by relaxing the feet, sleep patterns are improved
4. Softer skin - Massage often involves rubbing, stretching, flexing, and/or pulling of the foot and toes, but scrubs, creams or lotions are often used to make feet feel smooth and soft
5. Helps Entire Body Feel Healthier - Foot Reflexology involves stimulating certain acupressure points in the foot with direct pressure to restore energy flow and balance to specific parts of the body. For instance, applying pressure to the arch of the foot sometimes helps to alleviate stomach pain.
6. Relief from Anxiety and Depression - Foot massage helps to relax the muscles of the entire body, offering relief of nervous disorders, and providing a healthier, happier outlook
7. Helps with swelling and edema - Pressure may be applied with finger, thumbs or massage stones that are specifically made for foot or hand treatments, but all provide relief from fluid retention

Foot Reflexology & Massage DVD demonstrates how to provide detailed foot massage treatments which leave the tired, aching feet of the recipient feeling rejuvenated. 

This video shows a clip of that DVD:

Foot Massage Treatments

The practitioner will start by applying lotion or oil and rubbing the entire foot. He/She will also massage and pull each toe individually.

The therapist might also use a foot scrub to exfoliate the feet, and then remove it with warm, wet towel. It is often followed with more massage.

Sometimes the session includes a soak in warm, bubbly water, dried, and followed by warm foot wraps to really help you relax.

Thumb walking (using thumbs to walk up and down the foot), toe rotation (rotating each toe at the joint in circles), kneading and stretching may be done during the massage.

Peppermint essential oil is often used to add an aromatherapy treatment to the feet. A salt or sugar scrub recipe may also be used to exfoliate the feet, along with warm towels to remove excess scrub.

Cost

Typically, this therapy will cost between $30-$50 depending on where you go for the treatment, and how long the massage lasts.

Types of Foot Massage

1. Ayurvedic Massage for Feet, or Kansa Vatki, involves vigorously rubbing the soles of the feet with a 3-metal bowl to draw heat and toxins out of the body, which induces tremendous relaxation.
2. Chinese Foot Massage is another technique that has grown in popularity in the U.S. It involves working pressure points in the feet to open energy pathways and promote healing throughout the body.
3. Reflexology works with reflexes in the foot, which correspond to every organ & system within your body. Pressing on these reflex points can elicit a response from the nervous system that helps to balance and restore the body.  

For most people, foot massage benefits are so wonderful that it is one of the most relaxing parts of a massage therapy session. It is often requested as a stand-alone treatment or an added therapy to many spa and salon services.