Have you ever tried to figure out exactly why your feet hurt after an hour in heels? What about why you can't ever find the perfect pair of running shoes? Well, did you know that pain in your legs makes it hard for foot muscles to comfortably do their job? If you're thinking that a foot massage can help with achy feet, you're right AND wrong! Yes, wrong! Some foot massages, if don't on the wrong kind of feet or done incorrectly, can harm your feet.
Here are some foot massages that may help.
Foot Massages
Ayurveda Foot Massage
Ayurveda foot massage (also called Padabhyanga) is a massage therapy technique that hails from India. The practice suggests that there are three elemental substances in the body (doshas called Vata, Pitta and Kapha) that need to remain in balance in order for a person to remain healthy. Ayurveda foot massages use aromatic oils and Swedana (fomentation) to rebalance these doshas, clear energy channels called srotas and restore the transport of blocked bodily fluids — the combination of which is believed to relax the body, increase circulation, reduce stress and offer healing benefits for illnesses.
Thai Foot Massage
This type of massage therapy is also believed to balance the body’s energy by applying firm but gentle pressure on specific points of the foot. Thai massage also involves stretches and body contortion, but these are generally avoided when the massage is target specifically toward the feet. However, you may want to prepare for the massage therapist to move and stretch your feet in ways you might not be familiar with. Thai massage is especially helpful for those who wish to increase energy as well as improve flexibility, range of motion and strength in their feet.
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At-Home Foot Pain Remedies
Stretching your feet can help reduce foot pain, increase the circulation in your feet and help with your balance. Here's a list of exercises you can do at your desk or at home:
1. Foot Roll
This is the perfect foot massage and we all love a good foot massage, right? Well, to do this exercise all you need is to find a tennis ball or a golf ball. Place the ball on the floor, step on the ball beginning with the center of your foot first. Begin rolling the ball back and forth from your toes to your heels. Be sure to put enough pressure on the ball to ensure a nice deep tissue massage. Your feet will love this!
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2. Towel Curl
Here's an exercise you can do sitting at your desk or at home on the side of the bed. All you need is a towel and a few free minutes because you will need to do about 10 reps for effectiveness.
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To begin, stretch out a hand towel on the floor in front of where you're sitting. Make sure your feet and legs are parallel to each other with your toes pointing forward. Starting with the end of the towel, draw the towel in toward your heels using your toes. Once the entire towel is under your foot, you reverse the exercise and use your toes to push the towel away from your heel.
Doing this exercise will increase your foot strength and help support the arches of your feet.
3. Step Stretch
If you've been having pain in your heels (Plantar Fasciitis) this would be the perfect exercise for you! Try using a foot step, phone book or even just standing on a step in your home or office. Begin by standing with your toes on the step, leaving your heels extended off the edge. Slowly lower your heels down, try and hold this position for about 10 - 15 seconds then lift your heels to starting position. During this exercise your might want to hold on to something to help with balance since you will be shifting your weight. The goal is to go up and down shifting weight from your toes to your heels BUT be sure not to bounce while transitioning from toe to heel. If you are already injured or find this painful, try only doing one foot at a time. This exercise is really going to help with stretching the muscles and tendons in the back of your lower leg.
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Be sure to be consistent with your stretches because a little stretching will go a long way!
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