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After a tiring and stressful day at work, a foot massage can be an excellent way to de-stress and relax. A foot massage can also help alleviate pain in the neck, back, and shoulders, helping you relax better.

Types of Foot Massage

There are different types of foot massages, if you want to feel reinvigorated, then aromatherapy massage, Swedish foot massage and hot stone massage are good options. If you are looking to soothe the body, try the deep tissue massage, Thai massage, reflexology or Chinese massage, back massage, shiatsu, pre-natal massage, and sports massage.

How to give a Foot Massage?

Foot massage therapy techniques are simple and easy to follow. Here's what you need to do to give either yourself or your partner a foot massage.

• Warm Up: Rub your palms together with the lotion or oil that you are planning to use; this helps to warm your palms as well as the oil/lotion. Start by rubbing the foot at the toe tips and slide your fingers back towards the ankle in long firm motions. This helps to improve circulation.
• Rotate the Ankle: To relax and loosen the joints in the feet, hold one hand under the heel and behind the ankle to support the foot. Turn the ball of the foot with your other hand in each direction 3 to 5 times. This helps remove stiffness in the ankle.
• Rotate the Toe: Toes are very sensitive, and this technique can be quite soothing. Hold the foot under the arch and using your other hand start pulling the toe gently with your thumb and index finger, start with the big toe and work your way to the small toe for each foot. Next rotate the toes slowly in the same order.
• Press the Arch: Hold the foot behind the ankle and support it under the heel. Use your palm to rub hard along the arch of the foot, from ball of the foot to the heel and back. Do this five times for each foot, and avoid exerting too much pressure on the area.
• Kneading: This is for the heel of the foot. Keep the foot steady with one hand, while clenching your fist and using your knuckles to press the soles of the feet.
• Stroking: Stroke the foot from the toes to the ankle again, ending the massage the way you started it.

What are the Benefits of a Foot massage?

The benefits of a foot massage are many, including improved circulation and detoxification, sense of rejuvenation, improvement immunity, and a feeling of relaxation.

References:

1. http://news.everest.edu/post/2011/05/6-popular-types-of-massage-therapy
2. http://www.unh.edu/health-services/ohep/holistic_reflexology.html
3. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/massage

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