Feet & Leg Massage is a unique relaxing procedure which is practiced to promote health and well being of a person. The massage ensures various benefits like it relieves fatigue and leaves leg muscles and the body in tone. It has a therapeutic value and gives a positive effect on the whole body. Thus, a proper feet & leg massage ensures body care with aromatherapy.
Techniques of Foot Massage
•First of all, put the person into a proper and flexible position. Make the person lay in such a way that he/she is able to rotate for different movements of the feet and ankles to take place.
•Take the help of a towel to cover the resting area of the foot.
•Allow feet to soak warm to hot water for up to ten minutes. If required one can add scented essential oils or foaming gel to the water.
•After ten minutes the skin of the feet will become soft enabling to remove the dirt easily. Towel dry the feet when finished.
•Choose a cream, lotion or oil of preference for the massage.
•Enclose the foot between both hands (one on top and one underneath).
Begin rubbing the top of the foot and then gently side the hands off the foot coming forward to the toes. This movement should be slow and soothing. This process should be repeated four or five times.
•Massage around the ankle bone. Use both hands to rub in a circular motion around the bone on either side, and gently rub your fingers over the top of the bone. This area can be tender so go easy.
•After ankles, one can emphasise on heel of the foot. It can be done by using thumbs making small circles with medium to heavy pressure. Repeat this action on the ball of the foot.
•The feet of the heels can be massaged by applying cross-fibre friction. In this method, the thumbs have to be used to push up and down on the heel. While one thumb is pushing up, the other should be pushing down.
•Massaging the arch of the foot by using fist is beneficial. The hand has to be closed in a fist and then the top of the fingers have to be used to apply pressure to the arch. Roll the hand back and forth to knead the skin gently.
•The toes have to be carefully massaged; a wrong step can lead to discomfort of the person. Go to each toe and gently pull on it.
•Slide the index finger in the gap between each toe. Spend time moving it back and forth, rubbing the base of each toe with index and thumb if desired. Gently slide all five fingers between each of the toes simultaneously.