Ahhh. The foot massage. There’s not much that’s more relaxing than a foot massage.
Sure, you can buy a foot massage machine or get your partner involved as you chill on the sofa. Or, you can even learn how to massage your own feet. But there’s nothing quite like a foot massage from a professional.
Relaxing surroundings, no interruptions, scented oils burning away. And an absolute pro, doing what they’re trained to do.
A professional foot massage isn’t just relaxing either. It’s actually therapeutic. Massaging the feet and lower legs can improve circulation and reduce swelling. It can even help prevent ankle injuries by strengthening the ligaments when combined with gentle stretching. And it will certainly help in the recovery of ankle and foot injuries, if you see a therapist trained in sports massage.
Reflexology goes even further. A block of sessions with a reflexologist can help treat certain health conditions, and reduce headaches, anxiety and stress related disorders.
Kick back and relax in the comfy reclining chair, close your eyes and let the treatment begin. A foot massage will usually begin with a foot soak in warm water so there’s no need to worry about dusty flip flop feet, or worse.
Expect the massage to include some stretching and rotating of your ankles to loosen everything up. Your therapist will massage all areas of your feet, including the toes, and will work their way up your lower legs to around your mid-calf. Absolute heaven, all about you, just you. You don’t get that at home!
If you’re ticklish, especially in the feet area, fear not. A qualified and experienced therapist will use long massage strokes and apply continuous pressure to your feet. This minimises the tickle reflex and in minutes you’ll be totally relaxed and in the zone.
Reflexology. These types of treatments are more intense than a regular foot massage. The principles of reflexology and acupressure massage are different but they’re often used in conjunction with one another. When they are, expect the most relaxing foot massage, ever.
A reflexologist will concentrate on stimulating nerve endings in the feet with targeted massage techniques. (These techniques are often used on the hands, too, and sometimes the ears.) This sends healing messages to specific areas of the body.
Each organ and biological process (digestion, breathing, fertility etc.) has a specific area in the foot that can be stimulated.
Acupressure. Acupressure targets different specific areas in the same way, and rather than sending healing messages, helps to balance energy flows. These energy, or life force, flows are known as Chi, Qi, or Ki.
We have 14 energy lines running the length of our bodies, called meridians, with more than 800 pressure points along them. Thirty of these pressure points are found in the feet which is why acupressure is often combined with reflexology. Traditional Chinese Medicine often combines acupressure with herbal remedies to re-balance these Chi energy flows.
When these two foot massage techniques are combined, the energy from the acupressure increases the healing power of the reflexology. Healing, and feeling amazingly relaxed and serene. We think that’s a winning formula.
Even if you don’t have a specific health complaint, the deep relaxation is a perfect antidote to a busy life. And trust us, it’s deep relaxation alright.
It’s amazing to think; the feet have an invisible reflex map of the entire body on them. And all we do is make them run for miles, squeeze them into the wrong shoes and neglect them.
We owe a lot to our feet. So, treat your feet and book in for a foot massage at one of our fab salons today!