Many people’s deal with aches and pains, but not everyone
has the time or cash for a professional massage. But self massaging is one of
the techniques that we can use and gain the many benefits it has to offer for
our health.
The experts are acknowledging the importance and benefits of
the massage and self massage on our feet.
Multiple positive effects
The massage is very helpful for our blood circulation, the
secretion is eliminated from the sebaceous and sweat glands, the subcutaneous
adipose tissue and fat are cleared, the metabolism is enhanced, i.e. the flow
of nutrients in the tissues is accelerated, the oxidation of the tissue is
enhanced and the lymph swelling will be gone because the skin gets a firmer
tone, becomes more flexible, looks healthier and younger.
The overall state of the muscles which are moving our whole
body depends on the form and look.
The massage impacts the muscles by extending them, in other
words they decrease and then become firmer but more relaxed, because while
massaging the milk acid sediment is eliminated and the risk of cramps and pain
in the muscles will be greatly reduced.
In addition, the massage not only stimulates and eases the
digestion, but is also one of the ways to cure particular conditions.
On the photo you can notice that every section of the feet
is related with particular organ, and by massaging certain spot on your feet you
will affect the related organ.
It is proved that by massaging and pressuring some
particular feet sections, you can cure various organ ailments and you can
reduce some pain too. Apply a massage on your feet before going to bed, and it
is highly recommended to repeat this massage every day. It will take only 10-15
minutes from your time.
Some important fundamentals to remember in order to have a
proper foot massage technique are:
- Make sure your hands are clean and that your fingernails are properly trimmed before administering any type massage technique.
- Feet are usually very ticklish and therefore great care must given in avoiding light touch or brushing lightly on the feet. Being tickled is not at all relaxing and causes the nervous system to go into the alert response. Always make sure to press or hold the feet firmly.
- Feet tend to be very sore in some parts. Make sure apply pressure in a gentle manner and avoid digging right into the tender point. Pressing firmly yet in a gentle manner is the key to good foot massage technique.
- Start your foot massage by massaging all of the nooks and crannies around the ankles. By loosening all of the ligaments and nerves that run through the ankle, you are preparing the rest of the foot for the direct pressure that is part of any good Shiatsu or Reflexology Foot Massage.
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| Photo by : reflexology-map.com |
Giving a Good Foot Massage
- You may start your Reflexology Foot Massage by applying massage lotion to the feet. This is not mandatory but is usually recommended since most feet have some degree of callous which the lotion can help alleviate, as well as reducing the friction between your hands and the patients' feet.
- Warm up the lotion in your hands by rubbing your hands together before applying in a downward motion from the ankles to the toes on the top portion of the foot. Repeat this wiping motion, downward from the ankles to the toes, spreading the lotion and promoting circulation, warming up the feet.
- Next apply lotion to the soles of the feet, one foot at a time, using both hands. Hold the foot in your hands with your thumbs on the sole of the foot and your fingers holding the top of the foot. Rub your thumbs repeatedly from the heel area up through the arch of the foot to the ball of the foot, one thumb and then the other thumb, over and over, spreading the lotion and warming up the sole of the foot. Your pressure should be fairly light to begin with.
- You may also twist the foot with both hands, back and forth, bringing the small toe towards the sole of the foot and then back in the other direction, twisting the small toe towards the top or dorsum of the foot.
- This just loosens up all of the joints and ligaments in the foot which promotes greater circulation of Qi and Blood into the foot. Twisting of the foot should be done with care as to not hurt the patient, but at the same time, really trying to stretch all of the joints that comprise all of the metatarsal bones of each toe.
- Each toe continues up towards the ankle, past the webbing, until about the highest point on the top or dorsum of the foot. All of the spaces between these bones contain very strong and usually sore acupuncture and reflexology points. By folding the toes down and in towards the bottom of the foot, you can loosen and break up many obstructions that persist in these intraosseous spaces. Also press the pads of your index or middle fingers into these spaces and wiggle your wrist a little to give a little vibrating 'One finger Technique'. You will probably elicit some degree of achiness in these points but with proper technique it will be a good hurt that relieves stress and fatigue, rather than just more pain and discomfort.
- Now, starting with the big toe, pinch the toes gently one by one using the radial side of your index finger and the pad of your thumb. Twist the toe left and right, and then pull down, curling the toe down and in towards the sole of the foot. There may be some popping noises as you do this. These noises are just nitrogen gases being released from the joint of the toe. Do this starting with the big toes and then repeating with the next toe, and ending with the little toe.
- Now curl all of the toes and the top of the foot down and in towards the Kidney 1 acupuncture point in the middle of the sole of the foot, using the palm of your dominant hand, while the other hand stabilizes the foot and presses into the Kidney 1 point with your thumb.
If you are experiencing some condition or ailment, you can
try this massage. All you need to do is to massage the right point on your
feet, or you can massage your whole feet which will affect positively on your
entire body.
Via : holistic-back-relief & healthyfoodteam
