Foot and Hand Massage Technique

February 9, 2008 in baby massage
Tags: foot massage, hand massage, reflexology, relaxing, self massage

Foot and Hand massage technique is one of the most relaxing things that you can administer to yourself or others. The ultimate study of foot massage is reflexology. Foot reflexology is otherwise kown as “pressure therapy” and involves applying focused pressure to certain known points located on and under the foot to cure or prevent disease. Foot reflexology is based on the notion that our nerve points go from the bottom of our feet to the top of our head, passing through all vital organs on the way. A trained reflexologist can put pressure on different areas and points on the sole and side of the feet to determine the cause of illness.

Foot and hand massages help to relax the body, cure insomnia, arthritis, pains and aches, improves blood circulation and thus, reducing stress in the individual that receives the massage.

Before attempting a Foot or Hand Massage

If you are administering a foot massage to your partner or friend than ensure that the massage foot is comfortably reclined on a pillow or a sofa or on your lap. If you administering it on yourself, then find a comfortable chair, bed or sofa and place your foot on your lap.

Opt for a peaceful and quiet environment to get you in the mood for a foot massage (a little music also helps). There are various creams and oils that can be used for a foot massage. However, we recommend the use of essential massage oils to achieve an ultimately relaxing foot and hand massage. To begin with make sure the feet are clean, a foot soak with bath or special salts is a recommended way to detoxify before a hand or foot massage. Make sure that your feet and hands are completely dry, paying close attention to in between the fingers and toes, before you start.

Foot and Hand Massage Techniques

1. Stroking

This technique should stimulate the blood vessels in your feet/hands and promotes gentle heat for better blood circultion. Hold the foot in your hands and begin the massage from, the top surface of the foot. Use your thumbs in a slow but firm stroking motions,beginning at the toes/fingers and moving up to the ankle/wrist. Once you have reached the ankle/wrist follow the same way back to the toes/fingers. Make sure you apply lighter pressure towards the toes/fingers than the wrist/ankle. Repeat this 5 times for either and then perform the same technique to the sole of the foo/palm of the hand.

 

2. Ankle/Wrist rotation

Firstly, gently move the wrist/ankle from side to side to loosen the wrist/ankle joint. Hold the hand/heel of the foot in a cupping motion and hold the ball of the foot with the other hand. While using one hold the fingers and use a rotating motion to turn the hand while holding the base of the wrist with the other hand. Rotate the hand/ foot clockwise and anticlockwise 4 or 5 times to relax the foot from the ankle joint, reversing the directions will help to calm.

3. Pivoting

Gently massage the sole of the foot/palm of the hand with your thumb. Begin with the area directly below the large toe/index and slowly move to the other toes/fingers. After initial pressure, roll the thumb back and forth. It may be seen as wiggling the thumb. Release pressure, and move. Pivoting can be a very relaxing especially if you vary the amount of pressure being applied to the ball of the foot/palm of the hand.

 

4. Kneading

Using the thumb or finger tips to knead back and forth on the sole of the foot/palm of the hand. Kneading uses the knuckles at the second joints. “Knead” the area like dough with large pressing, rotating movements.

 

5. Finger threading

See the hand and foot as a series of squares the size of the second toe (about 2cm sq.). Walk your fingers horizontally, one square to the next, and then down to the next row of squares. Massage one foot, and then the next. Begin at the big toe/finger.

After this I advice that you take a warm bath and sleep for maximum results