FOOT MASSAGES

Submitted by ub on

Pamper yourself... Get a foot massage, or give one to your special love. Our feet work hard every day. Especially at this busy time of year for anyone who is shopping, family gatherings and school events. There is plenty of time spent on our feet.

Just like our neck, back, and shoulders, our feet can also benefit from a regular rubdown. Foot massage improves circulation, stimulates muscles, reduces tension, and often eases pain. It also gives a chance to check out our feet so we can get a jump on treating blisters, bunions, corns, and toenail problems.

Do your arches ache or your heels hurt? Got gout or battling bursitis? If so, you are among the three out of four Americans who will suffer some kind of foot ailment in their lifetimes. This Special Health Report covers the most common foot problems and helps you prevent and treat them.

A professional foot massage is a treat, but not necessary to get the benefits. Here is a guide to a do-it-yourself foot massage:

Sit in a comfortable chair. Bend your left leg and rest your left foot gently on your right thigh.

Pour some skin lotion or oil into your hand. Rub it gently into your foot and massage your whole foot, including the toes, arch, and heel.

Do a deeper massage. Press the knuckles of your right hand into your left foot. Knead your foot as you would bread. Or work the skin and muscles by holding a foot with both hands and pressing your thumbs into the skin.

Using your hands, gently pull the toes back and forth or apart. This stretches the muscles underneath.

Massage devices in local drugstores or health stores can also help relax and restore your feet. Foot rollers are low-tech devices that can provide fast foot massages at home or at work. Simply remove your shoes, and roll your feel over the massages for a quick pick-me-up.

More than three out of four Americans will suffer some kind of foot ailment in their lifetimes. Find out how to keep your feet fit and healthy and how to treat problems when they occur.