We are all aware of how relaxing a quick foot massage can be, especially after a long day of walking and standing up, which causes our feet to swell. Yes, everyone enjoys it, but does it truly offer any advantages beyond a slight sense of relaxation and some pain relief?
The promise of health advantages made by various massage techniques varies. Acupressure works on specific pressure points to improve general health and energy flow; aromatherapy adds another layer of relaxation by engaging multiple senses; and reflexology works to improve internal organ function by massaging particular areas of the foot. Traditional therapeutic techniques concentrate on relaxing muscles and joints. There are a lot of promises, some of which are very ludicrous, about what a straightforward massage can do for you, but there isn’t much proof to support them. We’ll examine a few of the health advantages of foot massages that are backed by solid scientific evidence. These advantages can be experienced right away or over the course of a few weeks, even with just two to three weekly sessions.
1. Improve Circulation
Because we lead primarily sedentary lives, we have grown accustomed to not regularly utilizing our muscles. Because of tight and unpleasant shoes, the muscles in the feet get little activity, and circulation is usually hindered.
Before going to bed, a 10- to 20-minute massage can greatly increase circulation in the lower limbs, which is crucial for diabetes.
2. Help Prevent Foot and Ankle Injuries
Foot massages can ease joint discomfort, speed up the healing process following an injury, and lessen tightness in the muscles. Stretching and strengthening exercises for the foot and ankles, together with massage, can both assist to ward off future injuries and hasten the healing of current ones.
You can ensure that you don’t get hurt by doing brief sessions three to five times per week. Even if we all have our moments of clumsiness, having a strong and flexible ankle and foot helps to prevent severe injuries.
3. Alleviate the Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety
Reflexology appears to have consequences beyond simply putting patients to sleep for the period of the massage, according to some study on the subject.
Frequent sessions have been shown to considerably lower anxiety in cancer patients. The methods are easy to learn and can be applied to deal with anxiety and despair.
4. Help with Headaches and Migraines
According to a Danish study, having reflexology treatments greatly reduced headache and migraine sufferers’ symptoms. Three months after the test patients stopped using their drugs, 65% had lessened their symptoms, and a tiny percentage had been cured.
Reflexology foot massages are believed to have enabled those who had them to make other healthy lifestyle adjustments, which may have contributed to their outstanding outcomes.
5. Lower Blood Pressure
In the present day, high blood pressure has become rather typical in both men and women. Although there are many potential causes, such as stress and a poor diet, it is generally believed that environmental and genetic factors play a major role in its development.
A 10-minute foot massage session three times per week increased mood, reduced anxiety, and lowered blood pressure, according to a study by healthcare professionals who work with senior dementia patients, a physically and mentally taxing job.
6. Help with Flat Feet and Plantar Fasciitis
People with flat feet do not have a normal foot arch, which causes the arch to collapse. This is due to ligament laxity. Some persons who have flat feet report foot pain following even light physical exercise, albeit it may not have a substantial effect on them. Chronic heel pain can also result from inflammation or degeneration of the plantar fascia, a connective tissue that supports the arch of the foot.
Deep massage (providing high pressure to the arch) and regular foot exercise can both greatly lessen pain and even treat these disorders.
7. Help in the Relief of PMS and Menopausal Symptoms
Feelings of melancholy and dissatisfaction, impatience, anxiety, tension, insomnia, exhaustion, headaches, and mood swings are some of the most typical PMS symptoms. Daily foot massages can help with the majority of these symptoms throughout this time.
In a similar vein, regular massages can successfully lessen the symptoms of menopause, which are comparable to PMS symptoms with the addition of hot flashes and despair.
8. Reduce the Effects of Pregnancy Edema
Pregnant women frequently experience edema or swelling from fluid retention in the feet and ankles, especially in the final trimester. Daily foot massages, together with lots of sleep and a healthy diet, can help to treat this issue.
9. Help Improve Your Sex Life
A foot massage is a kind gesture you can do to your partner; it makes them forget about little irritations they’ve encountered throughout the day and is a terrific way to start foreplay.
The feet are a great location to start since they can create mild arousal and offer a smooth transition to stronger erogenous areas like the inner thighs and back of the knees. All you need to set the scene for an evening of passionate lovemaking is some massage oil, scented candles, and relaxing music.
