Foot Massage
Origins of Foot Massage
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Foot massage is a complementary therapy. Down through the years feet have had a symbolic importance. In ancient Greece the feet were emblematic of the soul. The Egyptians believed that the feet grounded people to the Earth's energy. The mythological Japanese healer said 'See to the feet...and you will have seen to the body'. Chinese peoples have been using foot massage for over 3,000 years. In Western societies native Americans have used foot massage for hundreds of years and in Europe from the 14th century. |
Approaches to Foot Massage
Our feet are one of hardest working areas of our body. They support us and transport us. The foot is a very sensitive part of the body and responds very well to massage.
There are two main approaches to foot massage - Western and Eastern. The Western style includes kneading and stroking actions as well as general pressure. Eastern styles tend to stimulate using direct focused pressure.
Most traditional Eastern medicines are founded on the concept on an invisible life force or chi. Balanced and harmonious chi means that good health and happiness. This chi can be tapped into through pressure points in the feet and any blockages to the flow of chi can be accessed in the foot. This is the basis of Acupressure.
Foot massage techniques in Western cultures aim to create general body relaxation and to relieve stress. It is used as an effective way of relieving muscular tension. It aids circulation thereby releasing toxins from the body and improving the distribution of nutrients throughout the body. Western massage styles are calming using smooth strokes and pressure rhythms. Over time Western foot massage has become more influenced by Eastern techniques. Modern Reflexology is heavily influenced by the Eastern concept of chi.
Foot Massage Techniques
There are a number of basic foot massage techniques.
Effleurage or Stroking
This involves placing the hands across the foot at the base of the toes. The foot is grasped in the Sandwich Hold with one hand above the foot and one below. The hands slide down the foot to the heel and then back up to the toes again using light pressure but increasing the pressure as the foot massage proceeds
Knuckling or Kneading
Form a fist and press into the sole of the foot using the part of the fingers between the knuckle and the middle joint. The fist is rotated slightly. This is applied to the entire surface area of the sole and is excellent at removing tension.
Thumb Circling
The thumbs are placed on the sole of the foot, one slightly higher than the other. Using one thumb at a time small rotational movements are used to cover the entire sole of the foot with particular emphasis on the fleshy areas.
Foot Rotation
The fingers are wrapped around the foot near the toes. The other hand cups the heel. The foot is gently rotated clockwise and then anticlockwise. Care should be taken not to push the ankle beyond its limits.
Spreading
The thumbs and heels of the hands are placed on the top of the foot and the fingers curl around on the sole. The fingers remain static while the thumbs work across the top of the foot to the edges. To spread the sole the same hand position is used except this time the fingers spread across the sole to the edges of the feet.
Toe Rotation
The foot is gripped around the arch of the foot with the thumb on the sole. The other hand is used to grip each toe in turn gently rotating the toe both clockwise and anticlockwise.
Circling the Ankle
The pads of the fingers are used to circle around the outside and inside of the ankle both clockwise and anticlockwise. Depending on the tolerance level of the recipient this can be quite vigorous.
Percussion or Tapping
The tips of the fingers gently tap over the the top of the foot without causing shock. For the sole the back of the hand is used.
Push-Pull
One hand is placed on the outside, and the other hand on the inside, of the foot. With the foot wedged between the hands the heels of the hands are used to push the foot away from the masseur and then pulled towards the masseur.
For Foot Massage in County Dublin contact Jennifer Dunne. She is a USUI SHIKI RYOHO Reiki practitioner - practising the Tera Mai System of Reiki. Professional Member of Reiki Federation of Ireland
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