How To Give A Soothing Foot-Massage

1. Foot-Massage. Soak feet in warm water for about 5 to 10 minutes. You may wish to include drops of your favorite essential oil or bath salts. Peppermint or lavender oil is preferred by many. Make sure your feet are completely dry before starting the massage.

2. Apply a moderate amount of lotion or oil to hands to add to comfort and ease. Make sure hands are warm to avoid discomfort. Mineral oil is not absorbed in the skin, and it wipes off cleanly.

3. A Foot-Massage starts by stroking top of foot and in between toes. Move to the direction of toe to ankle. Then, continue by stroking sole of foot, first more gently, then increase pressure per your client’s desire.

4. Make circular motions with your thumb and fingers or knuckles over the sole of the foot, and use more pressure in areas such as the heel or ball of the foot. Start from the top and work your way down. Do not neglect the sides. Even though we constantly walk on them, they can be sensitive at times. You will soon realize how your client feels with the pressure in a foot-massage treatment.

5. Hold the foot with one hand, use the other hand to rotate the foot, first at the ankle, and then near the ball of the foot. Be gentle. Repeat about 5 times in each direction.

6. Knead the sole by holding the foot with one hand and making a fist with the other, using moderate pressure into the sole. Give enough attention to the arch.

7. Begin with the big toe and working towards the pinky toe, take each toe individually. Roll the toe between your thumb and forefinger as you slide your fingers down the toe to the end, applying gentle pressure. Gently squeeze the end of each toe.

8. Take your index finger and slide it between each toe about 5 times. To complete the massage, use your thumb and fingers to make the circular motions once again over the sole. Complete by grasping the foot with your fingers on top and your thumbs underneath the instep. Start with your thumbs, sliding up from the sole to the toes. Repeat 4 times. This is the best technique to complete a foot massage.

9. Move over to the other foot and apply the same technique.

10. Wipe off any excess of oil or lotion.

11. Allow the recipient to relax for 5 minutes with a glass of water.

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