Though foot massage focuses mainly on the muscles located around the front and back of the feet, it gives lots of benefits. For example, foot massage promotes relaxation, healthier feet, relieves heel pain, improves circulation, offers nausea and relief, prevents foot and ankle injuries, reduces the effects of depression and anxiety, lowers blood pressure, and promotes better sleep.
But do you how is this possible? How just massaging a foot can give so many benefits? It is possible because the therapists use different techniques in foot massage. The different techniques work for different problems.
In this post, we will discuss the techniques used by therapists in foot massage.
Acupressure technique– In the acupressure technique, the therapists use fingers and thumbs. The massage process involves applying pressure to specific areas of the foot. These specific areas are properly identified by the therapists before pressurizing.
What does the acupressure technique do?
This technique breaks the knots and increases the blood flow. When experts apply pressure, the muscular knots get softened and break down. The breaking of the muscular knots reduces the pain and restriction in the foot. And after the release of the pressure, the blood flow increases in the muscles. Increased blood flow delivers more oxygen and nutrients, healing the muscles successfully.
Friction technique– In the friction technique, the therapists use fingertips or thumbs. The process involves applying pressure along muscle fibers.
What does the friction technique do?
The friction technique breaks the collagen fibers, which are built up in the muscles. The collagen fibers break because muscle temperature increases during foot massage sessions. The breaking of collagen fibers increases the flexibility of muscles, reducing the restrictions.
Skin rolling technique– In the skin rolling technique, the therapists use fingers and thumbs. They pick up and roll between the fingers and thumbs.
What does the soft rolling technique do?
The focus point of the soft rolling technique is fascia. It is a tough and fibrous layer of consecutive tissues, which are found below the skin surface. When fascia tissues become restricted, it results in muscle tightness and pain. This technique reduces restriction, reducing muscle tightness and pain. It happens because the temperature of the fascia tissues increases during the foot massage.
Trigger point technique– in the trigger point technique, the therapists place a specific pressure on trigger points and break the muscular knots. If these muscle knots are not treated on time, they cause pain. And it happens because blood flow gets restricted. Both fingers and thumb is used strategically for completing the trigger point technique.
What does the trigger point technique do?
When therapists apply pressure on the trigger points, the person feels a numbing sensation in and around the area. Along with numbing sensation, the pressure is released. As a result, the blood flow in the body increases, allowing increased flow of oxygen and nutrients. This reduces fatigue and pain.
Foot massage is very effective, both for short and long-term. We recommend scheduling regular appointments for foot massage. To find a therapist, search “foot massage in Philadelphia” on the internet.