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Submitted by: Terry McDermott
It seems that just about everyone enjoys a good foot massage. Limited to just one area of the body an area that is often neglected but takes the brunt of our everyday activities foot massages are both relaxing and healing, and for many people, they are the epitome of luxury. While it’s not uncommon to have a friend or lover offer a foot rub for a quick fix for painful feet, a true foot massage requires the right equipment and training.
Reflexology and Foot Massages
While massage and reflexology are two different things, they are often combined. Reflexology focuses on the use of certain pressure points on the foot, each of which coincides with a part of the body. It is believed that by manipulating and applying pressure to these points, the specific body parts can benefit from increased blood flow and stimulation that promotes healing.
Foot massage, by its very nature, means rubbing and pressing the feet and stretching out the muscles found there. The reflexology points would then be pressed, even unintentionally. By combining both types of therapy, even greater benefit is found, since pressure points are intentionally manipulated.
Health Benefits of a Foot Massage
Our feet are pummeled all day long and carry our entire weight on a very small surface area. Add in shoes that pinch, high heels, or other factors and most people have feet that are in desperate need of relaxation. People who are required by their job to be on their feet all day (such as waitresses, nurses and store clerks) are particularly at risk for developing aches and pains, as well as other problems, in their feet. Studies have shown that having foot problems can throw the entire body off and cause pain in areas seemingly unrelated, such as the back or neck.
Stimulating blood flow to the feet with massage and easing the tense muscles there alleviates stress and can help relax the entire body. This is one of the reasons people opt for this type of massage. It takes less time than a full body massage, but offers instant stress relief. When feet are swollen, the gentle pressure and manipulation can help move the excess liquid out of the tissue, leaving them refreshed and feeling light.
Where to Get a Foot Massage
Foot massages are offered just about anywhere a regular massage is, although some masseuses are able to create a niche specialty primarily in the feet. However, there are different types of foot massages. Some regular, full body massages include the feet, but don’t focus exclusively on them. These are probably the least likely to do much good, since not much time is spent on any one part of the body.
Shiatsu is another type of massage that incorporates foot work into the treatment, as is Zone Reflex Therapy. In some cases, podiatrists and physical therapists use foot massages to enhance their regular services and to relax the feet and muscles.
For the best results, most clients choose to look for a spa that offers foot massages as a specific focus. This means that they are assured of getting the right amount of time spent on manipulating the muscles in the foot and working out any stiffness and swelling. These facilities also take the time to find and treat any potential issues in the feet, whereas a regular body massage that includes the feet is rarely in-depth enough to find problems associated specifically with the feet.
Equipment and Training Used in Foot Massage Therapy
Most foot massages are done with just bare hands, but in some cases, a special instrument might be used to help reach the deeper tissues of the foot, particularly in the sole. A curved wooden or stone massage instrument is useful for this. Podiatrists occasionally use compressed air to reduce edema in the feet and stimulate blood flow. This method is particularly useful when dealing with foot ulcers caused by diabetes, and has been proven to reduce healing time by up to a month after foot surgery.
Most traditional massage facilities offer training in foot massage techniques, but for training in more specialized techniques, prospective students should look for specific reflexology or alternative therapy schools. However, it’s not required to have a certificate directly in the subject, and many people find that they can learn the basics of a great foot massage by simply watching instructional videos or taking a look through a photo tutorial.
About the Author: J. Terrence (Terry) McDermott is the administrator of Massage Schools Guide at
massageschoolsguide.com
, a website offering resources for prospective massage therapists. He specializes in online continuing education resources.
Source:
isnare.com
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