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Nothing hurts more than our feet after a long day. A good foot massage is just the ticket to help ease the pain and get you moving again. How to give a foot massage will provide you with the right techniques to help.
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Video on How to Give a Foot Massage
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before using the information presented here. Foot massage can cause induce labor during pregnancy.- by Darcy Logan
Step 1: Gather What You'll Need
- Sure, a foot massage can always be an impromptu gesture. However, if you want to make the massage particularly enjoyable, there are a few things you want to gather such as:
- A foot or pair of feet (obviously)
- A basin of warm to hot water
- Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)
- Towels
- Massage oil or lotion
- Essential oils
- Comfortable socks or slippers
- Relaxing music
- Scented candles
Step 2: Prepare the Feet
- Preparing the feet before you start the massage will help ensure that the massage is relaxing for you and the recipient.
- Make sure the feet are clean. This can be done by wiping the feet with a washcloth or by rinsing them off in the shower.
- Prepare a basin of warm water. Add about 1/2 to 1 cup Epsom salts per gallon of water. Stir the water to dissolve the salts. The temperature of the water should be bathwater warm (comfortable for the recipient).
- Soak the feet for about 5 to 15 minutes. The warm water combined with the Epsom salts will help the recipient relax and de-stress.Epsom Salt Council: Why it Works
- Dry the feet thoroughly. Don't forget in-between the toes.
Step 3: Starting the Massage
- Now that the feet are clean, you're ready to begin the foot massage.
- Have the recipient sit or lie in a comfortable position.
- Lay a towel beneath your work area to catch any oil or lotion.
- Make sure your hands are warm before starting the massage.
- If they are not, rub them together a few times to heat them up.
- Start by massaging the cream gently onto the whole foot, top and bottom.
General Foot Massage Tips
- Here are a few additional tips for a good foot massage:
- Apply enough pressure to avoid tickling sensations.WikiHow: How to Give a Foot Massage
- Use less pressure on the toes and inner center of the foot.Learn Foot Massage: Foot Massage Techniques
- A slow-moving massage is relaxing; a fast-moving massage is stimulating.WikiHow: How to Give a Foot Massage
- Shake your hands occasionally to help avoid cramping.
- Adjust the massage to fit the reaction of the person. Experiment with various techniques until you find one that they like.Learn Foot Massage: How to Foot Massage
- You should finish with one foot before moving onto the second foot.
Step 4: Massage Techniques
- The following is a list of massage techniques that are particularly good for the feet. While there is no particular order for them, stroking is a good technique to start and end the massage.
Stroking
- Stroking is a great technique to help warm up the foot and stimulate circulation.Messages for Mom: Techniques of Foot Massage If the foot is properly warmed up, there is less chance of injury and the massage can be deeper.Learn Foot Massage: Foot Massage Techniques
- Start by holding the foot in your hands.
- Massage the top of the foot with your thumbs starting at the toes and moving toward the ankle. Use a long, slow, firm stroke.
- Work your way back to the toes.
- Repeat this 3-5 times.
- Then, repeat the entire process on the sole of the foot.
- Be sure to start gently and gradually increase pressure.wikiHow: How to Give a Foot Massage
Ankle Rotation
- Rotating the foot at the ankle will loosen the joints and relax the feet.Messages for Mom: Techniques of Foot Massage
- Cup one hand under the heel behind the ankle.
- With your other hand, grasp the ball of the foot.
- Slowly rotate the foot at the ankle 3 to 5 times clockwise.
- Repeat counterclockwise.
Pivoting
- Pivoting is relaxing, especially if you vary the amount of pressure.Dr. Foot: Foot Massage
- Place your thumb on the sole of the foot below the big toe.
- Gently apply pressure.
- Roll your thumb back and forth.
- Slowly lighten up on the pressure.
- Proceed to the area beneath each toe and repeat.
- This can be done all over the bottom of the foot.
Kneading
- Kneading a foot is a lot like kneading dough, except you need to remember that feet are not as pliable as dough.Dr. Foot: Foot Massage
- Using your fingertips and/or knuckles, knead the sole using large rotating points of pressure.
- Next, make a fist and press your knuckles into the sole of the foot.
- Slowly move from the heel to the toes. Learn Foot Massage: Foot Massage Techniques
Finger/Thumb Walking
- This technique is exactly how it sounds.
- Using your thumbs or fingers, apply pressure to the foot in alternating spots on the foot.
- Eventually, move across the entire surface of the foot.
Cupping
- Cup the foot in your hands and squeeze.
- Slowly move up and down the foot and repeat this procedure.Learn Foot Massage: Foot Massage Techniques
Step 5: Finishing the Massage
- When the massage is finished, wipe off any excess massage oil or lotion. Have the recipient slip on a pair of socks or slippers before moving around—remaining lotion on his/her feet can make them dangerously slippery. Of course, it's only fair that they now return the favor and give you a foot massage. If so, have them repeat steps 1-5.
Conclusion
- You don't have to have a foot fetish to enjoy giving or receiving a foot massage. A foot massage is a great way of showing someone how much you appreciate all the hard work that he/she has done for you. It is can also be a way of bring two people closer together. After all, you can always start with the feet and move your way up.
