Foot Massage for Pleasure and Health

The foot massage. The massage for one of the most important yet often overlooked parts of the human body. We place enormous stress on our feet- they support the entire weight of our body, they move us from place to place. And yet most of us probably have feet that don’t get nearly as much attention as they deserve. There are many models of foot massagers on the market that you can purchase, or you do it the old fashioned way: with your hands. So how do you give a good foot massage without resorting to a foot massage machine? There are a few important things to know to give a good one. Conversely, if you are trying to get someone to give you a foot massage, you might want to educate them with the information in this article.

First, the “client” receiving the massage should get in a comfortable position.  This means they should sit comfortably and prop their leg/foot up on something such (an ottoman works nice).  That way the therapist can sit opposite the client and be in the ideal position to give the massage.  Conversely, the client can lay supine (face up) on a massage table or surface of your choice.  Ideally they should be off the ground to afford comfortable access to their feet.  I like to give foot massages seated, so a stool is nice if you are using a massage table. 

Once you and the client are both comfortable, it’s time to warm up the feet a bit.  I encompass the foot being worked on with both hands, kind of “milking” the foot to get the blood flowing.  For the person giving the massage, proper body mechanics are essential in applying the deeper pressure the foot usually prefers.  This means keeping an upright posture with relaxed shoulders.  To apply pressure, lean into reflexology points with your body weight.  Try to avoid using muscle strength, the result will be both more effective as well as easier on your body.  This should result in a firm but gently pressure which will vary depending on the person receiving the massage. 

It can be very helpful to have a foot massage chart on hand when you’re starting out.  Even if you think reflexology is a load of crap, you can use the points as a guide for what you do on the foot; it can save you from just giving the foot a general rubdown and then sitting there wondering what to do next.  You will want to use oil or cream if at all possible, as this makes it possible to use more techniques and some techniques are only possible if you use a lubricant. 

To optimize the use of your hand, start out by making a proper fist.  Your thumb should be tight up against your index and middle finger.  Use the knuckles directly above the thumb to stimulate reflexology points.  Your thumb will provide the support necessary to really dig in there.  This is the way I deliver stimulation to most point on the foot during a massage.  I also use my other knuckles extensively as these are hard points which can deliver the proper stimulation to the foot.  To pinpoint specific points which are smaller, use this hand position with only the first knuckle.  I do on anywhere from 8 to 20 strokes on average for a given point.  Of all the foot massage techniques, this is the one I use the most.  You can use this technique whenever you find points in fleshy areas of the foot (for example the kidney point located in the middle of the foot).

Try dragging your knuckles across the center of the foot from top to bottom.  You should feel like you’re digging out the midfoot.  Next, use both hands to grip the foot so that your thumbs are located at the instep, which roughly corresponds to the spine.  Work this area with your thumbs using a back and forth motion along the whole “spine”.  In general, pressure should be as deep as possible without causing pain.  Once you have done these areas, try massaging other areas of the foot in the same way.  When you get to the toes, pull on them as if you’re pulling on a piece of rope.  Grab each toe firmly by the base and pull up, letting your fingers come off the tip.  It should be a smooth gesture since you will be using oil or lotion.  As with much of massage in general, this usually will only feel good unless you use enough pressure. 

Look at various reflexology points on the chart.  Try massaging the points that correspond to different organs and notice what sensations this causes.  Study the chart, and go for it.  I like to give foot massages according to the principles of reflexology- and  you don’t have to believe in reflexology for the massage to feel stellar.  Keep in mind that this is not an exact science, so feel free to play around and try different things.  Feedback is great for learning to give a good foot massage- if something feels good, you are probably on the right track.