There are 26 bones, 33 joints and over 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments in each foot. It’s no wonder that your feet — the foundation of your body — get a little sore every once in a while. They carry all your weight and help you get from point A to point B each and every day.
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A foot massage might be something you treat yourself to every once in a while, but it shouldn’t be just once in a while — considering the benefits it provides, a daily foot massage can help you optimize your health in numerous ways, and you don’t need to go to a spa to reap the benefits.
Aside from soothing sore feet, foot massage offers the following health benefits:
- Promotes better sleep
Massaging your feet before bed can help you unwind while improving blood circulation and relaxing your nerves — helping you drift peacefully off to dreamland. Acupuncture and massage points on the feet believed to help promote better sleep include the pad of the big toe and the bottom of the feet.
- Fights anxiety and depression
Studies show that massage can help fight feelings of anxiety and depression by relaxing the body and relieving built-up tension. Specific spots believed to be associated with emotional stability and mental health include the spot at the center of the big toe, and the spot at the center of the ball of the foot.
- Lowers blood pressure
Foot massage has been shown to help lower high blood pressure by improving mood and reducing anxiety. The solar plexus in particular may be especially helpful in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. To find this reflex point, squeeze both sides of your foot. The hollow that forms is where the solar plexus point is. Press this point for a few seconds with your thumb, take a deep breath and release.
- Improves blood circulation
Factors like sedentary lifestyles and improper footwear can prevent normal blood circulation in the feet. Massaging your feet for 10 minutes a day can help transport oxygen to the body’s cells, stimulate the lymphatic system and improve overall health. Massage your feet gently but firmly from toes to ankle to naturally improve blood circulation.
- Eases aches and pains
A relaxing foot massage may help relieve pain and tension in your feet, but it may also help treat different types of aches and pains, such as headaches, migraines, PMS and menopause symptoms, neck pain and back pain. Research pressure points and find the technique that works best for you to use foot massage for pain relief.