One of the most relaxing treats that one could get or give to others is the foot massage and the study of foot massage is known as foot reflexology and a trained reflexologist may be able to determine where to give the best foot massage following a foot massage chart. Before giving a foot massage, one should ensure that the foot is comfortably positioned on a pillow or sofa and for a foot massage for oneself one needs a comfortable chair or sofa and it may be accompanied by soft music or a meditation CD that will provide a catalyst to get one into the right frame of mind. Besides being in the mood, one may also need to use some creams and oils for the foot massage and ensuring that the feet are clean is important and this may be achieved by taking a foot soak with Epsom salts which should help in distressing prior to the massage. Also, ensure that the feet are absolutely dry before beginning the foot massage.
Foot Massage Techniques
Foot massage and chinese foot massage can be learned from a foot massage video. One technique frequently applied at the foot massage points is to stroke the feet which should stimulate the blood vessels in the feet and provide gentle heat. There should be applied light pressure near the toes and ankles and one may repeat five times. Another technique used is that of ankle rotation in which firstly one should gently move the ankle from side to side and thus loosens the ankle joint. Rotating the foot clockwise and anti-clockwise thrice or four times will relax the foot from the ankle joint and when the direction is reversed it will calm as well as distress the senses. This technique should be performed gently when giving a foot massage.
Pivoting is another technique and so is kneading and finger walking. In the pivoting technique, one may gently hold the foot and massage the soles with one’s thumb and start at the area just below the large toe and gradually move to the other toes. This is a very relaxing form of foot massage more so, when the amount of pressure is varied on the balls of the feet. When kneading one should use the thumb or fingertips to knead back and forth on the soles of the feet and the process is similar to how one kneads dough and consists of large pressing and rotating movements, but the kneading should be gentle at all times. Walking the fingers horizontally on small areas of the feet and beginning at the big toe and performing on both feet are another technique used in a foot massage.