Techniques Involved in Foot Massage

Foot massages generally involve acts like rubbing, pressing, stroking and manipulating muscles in a specific manner using fingers. However, there are different kinds of techniques followed such as:

Traditional Therapeutic Techniques: They focus on relaxing the muscles and joints to relieve pain. They are manual techniques, which include smooth gliding movements, friction, squeezing, wringing and kneading of soft tissues to stimulate the muscles, evoke relaxation and improve circulation.

Soft-tissue Release: This technique involves precise extension and specific compression performed in a systematic method to release muscle spasm and scar tissues.

Acupressure: This technique involves applying pressure to specific pressure points to improve general health and energy flow. This ancient Asian art of healing uses fingers on the surface of the skin to press key points that control the flow of energy via chakras and meridians.

Aromatherapy: In this technique, scented oils and relaxing music serve as relaxation elements that act upon multiple senses.

Reflexology: This technique seeks to improve internal organ function by massaging specific areas of the feet,exerting firm pressure on certain points.

Trigger-point Therapy or Myotherapy: This technique involves the application of alternating pressure over the area of muscle spasm. The massage feels slightly painful at first but after a while relieves the pre-existing pain as well. Pressure may be applied with the help of fingers, knuckles as well as elbows.