Foot massage
Foot massage
Before a massage, prepare your feet with a hot bath and remove hard skin with a file or pumice stone. Do not use a knife which can result in light injuries, even in infection. If necessary, trim your toenails too, always straight and not curved as with your fingernails. Otherwise ingrown toenails can be the consequence.
Corns require special attention because they are not only a superficial callous but continue to grow inwardly, cone like. They can cause great discomfort. The reason is usually tight fitting shoes, overweight, protruding bones or simply long hours on your feet. The constant pressure causes more skin cells to die than would normally be the case, resulting in ever thicker callouses. Corns must be completely removed or they will only grow back again.
Once these preparations are complete, your feet are in optimal condition for a massage. Now, and only now, can a. massage be completely effective and not just for your feet if the reflex zones are to be massaged. The following exercises may be combined as you wish. Try them for yourself and discover which sequence and amount of pressure suits you best. Using oil is optional but usually helpful. If you have really worked your feet over, experiment with lighter handling to finish everything that feels good is allowed! Preferably massage your feet in a seated position with your back supported against a wall or the back of a chair. Ensure that your back is straight and your breathing regular. Have a footstool and towel to hand, to rest your feet on afterwards.
Stroking your sole (1)
Rest one foot on your knee and, using both thumbs, stroke forward from the heel to the toes. Repeat for the other foot. Tip: you can also use the palms of your hands, knuckles or a massage glove, and vary it with circular motion. Whatever, the reflex zones will be stimulated.
Extending the toes (2)
Place your foot on a footstool and grasp it with both hands, thumbs on the instep. Beginning with the little toe, stretch each toes one after the other and in between massage your foot arches. Repeat for the other foot.
Foot stroking (3)
Rest your heel on it footstool and again grasp the foot with both hands. Stroke repeatedly the instep with the thumbs, from the toes to the ankle or even further up the shins if you wish. Tip: this exercise is also improved with a massage glove.
Foot kneading
Use the same hold as in the preceding exercise and knead the foot with the fingers in all directions. Painful areas should be more thoroughly worked with gentle, circular movements.
The Achilles tendon (4)
Using the left hand, find the Achilles tendon behind the ankle of your right foot. Knead it forcefully to halfway up the calf muscle. This can be painful but continue. Tip: Use a plant or herb extract balsam or sport massage oil from LECO.