Your feet work hard all day. They bear the weight of your entire body when you stand on them. You walk, run and stand on them without giving them much thought unless they hurt. You can use foot massage machines, which will help, but according to the Learn Foot Massage website, the human touch is much better. A foot massage can be self-administered or done by someone else. Massage one foot then repeat all the steps on the other foot.
Step 1
Relax by sitting in a comfortable chair, recommends the Parenting website. If you are massaging your own feet, place one foot on the opposite knee. If someone else is massaging your feet, place the foot being massaged in his lap.
Step 2
Use massage oil or cream if you want, but it isn't mandatory. It will help reduce some of the friction and help your hands glide more smoothly over your foot. Warm the lotion or oil by rubbing it between your hands before applying it.
Step 3
Warm up the foot by rubbing it lightly to increase circulation advises the Foot Massage website. Hold your foot in your hands and massage the surface in one direction with a medium amount of pressure then in the other direction. Apply less pressure on the toes and sensitive center of the bottom of your foot.
Step 4
Massage all the areas of the foot, covering between the toes and around the ankle. According to the Holistic Back Relief site, this helps prepare your foot for the rest of the massage.
Step 5
Apply pressure to the center of your heel with your thumb, hold for a couple of seconds then release. Move your thumb down your foot, applying pressure and releasing all the way to your toes.
Step 6
Move to the outer edges of your foot and repeat the last step. Apply pressure to relax the tendons that may be tense.
Step 7
Hold your big toe and rotate it in each direction several times. Move to the next toe and repeat. Do this for all the toes on that foot.
Step 8
Make a fist and apply it to the sole of your foot. Roll your fist around as though you are pressing dough. Continue pressing and rolling your fist into the sole of your foot from the toe area to the heel.
Step 9
The Reflexology Research website recommends squeezing your foot by applying pressure with one hand on the top of the foot while holding the ball of your foot with your other fist. Repeat as many times as you want.
Step 10
Grasp your foot in both hands and rotate your foot at the ankle in one direction several times. Relax then rotate in the other direction.
Things You'll Need
- Comfortable chair
- Massage oil or lotion
