massage
The sole of the foot is a highly sensitive area that responds to the lightest touch. A proper foot massage should give you a sense of well-being and relax your whole body.
Although it’s generally more pleasurable to have someone else do it, you can do it yourself. Here’s how:
- Use a rich hand cream to soften and warm your palms.
- To help your hands glide easily over your feet, use a teaspoonful of almond oil with two to three drops of essential oil (such as jasmine or lavender). Never use aromatherapy oils directly on the skin without first diluting them. Don’t use aromatherapy oils if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Stroke down from the toes to the ankles with both hands and then glide your hands back up to the toes. Repeat until your foot feels warm and relaxed.
- Supporting the ankle with one hand, use your free hand to hold the ball of the foot and gently rotate the foot twice one way and then twice the other way. Repeat three times.
- Massage your toes between your palms using slow circular movements over the top and sole of the foot. Repeat three times.
- Using the whole hand, stroke firmly down the front of the foot around the ankle, then bring them back to the top of the foot. Repeat three times.
- Using the base of your palm, make small firm rotations all over the ankle area.
- Massage your toes. Using your thumb and index finger, make circular movements and gently pull each toe. Repeat three times. Now clasp all the toes together and gently pull. Repeat three times.
- Repeat the above sequence three times.
NB. Don’t massage areas of broken skin like eczema or ulcers. Avoid applying hard pressure to prominent varicose veins.
Maybe your partner can do this for you. Or you might like to invest in a footbath designed to relax and re-energise your feet.
Maybe your partner can do this for you. Or you might like to invest in a footbath designed to relax and re-energise your feet.
Contains terbinafine. Always read the label.
