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For some people there is no greater pleasure than to have their feet massaged, while for others it can be quite painful.
It appears that those who stand on their feet all day, such as shop assistants, hairdressers and food industry works are among those who either hate or love having a foot massage.
Foot massages help eliminate stress throughout your entire body. But if you find that a foot massage, even with a light massage is painful, then an alternative would be a good foot soak. A good foot soaking also helps to relieve stress and can be extremely restful.
Soaking your feet is one of the easiest things you can do. Simply get a large pan, bowl or foot tub, fill it with warm water then add a few drops of essential oils or Epsom salts.
Once you soak your feet for ten to fifteen minutes they should feel a lot softer and a whole lot more comfortable. The more cracked & calloused your feet, the longer they need to stay in.
At Home Spa Treatment
To give your feet a real spa treatment at home, add a quarter cup of milk to your bath along with the essential oils & salts. The lactic acid in the milk loosens dead skin.
Apply an exfoliating body or foot scrub to a foot file or wet pumice stone to slough away the dead skin on the balls & heels of your feet. You'll want to scrub the balls, bottoms & sides of your heels & around the toes.
Remember the pedicure motto, "smooth, don't remove." You'll want to stop if your foot turns bright red (this means you've scrubbed too hard). Remember, that tough skin is there for a reason.
A couple of easy to make at home foot scrubs are:
Foot Silk Scrub
1/2 cup brown sugar, light or dark
1/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon Aloe Vera gel (found at local drug or health food stores)
1 teaspoon water
1 teaspoon your favorite lotion
Blending Procedure:
Stir the sugars and Aloe Vera in a clean bowl until creamy, with a few chunks left in.
Mix in the lotion to make the mixture a bit smoother. (If you use white sugar only, you can make some lovely pastel colors by using just a tad bit of food coloring -- add it by the drop to ensure a pastel outcome. Add the water only if the concoction is in a clump. If the mixture is creamy, not liquidly, it is ready to be used. Rub Foot Silk Scrub on your feet to smooth and soothe. Rinse well with warm water.
Honey Vanilla Sugar Scrub
1 rounded tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon Jojoba oil (Virgin Olive Oil can be substituted)
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons oatmeal
Juice of half a lemon or lime
Blending Procedure:
Mix together brown sugar, honey, jojoba or olive oil, and vanilla extract. Stir in oatmeal. Apply to feet and gently scrub. Rinse with warm water
At Home Foot Massage
Not everyone has their own foot masseuse or knows how to give themselves a good massage. If this is your situation, then there are some simple alternatives you can use.
Get a golf ball, or alternatively some marbles, and place them on the floor or another firm surface. It is generally better to sit down when you do this and only do one foot at a time. As you place one foot on the ball or the marbles you can gently roll them backwards and forwards under your foot.
Using this method you can determine how much pressure you want to use and it is quite easy for anyone to target areas that requires relief.
Another alternative would be to buy a foot roller. These are generally made from wood or a hard plastic. They are like a rolling pin where the main surface is corrugated. It is these corrugations that massage the foot when rolled along the floor.
Soaking your feet and a light foot massage are some of the simplest of thing we can do to relax our feet if we can not go for a professional massage.
A foot massage can be done any time, while watching TV, reading, playing a game with the kids or just having a few moments for you.
At the end of the half hour, for that's all it really takes, your feet as well as your entire body will thank you for it.
© 2008
Michele Winslow
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