One of the best and the most soothing things you can do this weekend is getting a massage. Why massage? Well, why not, it has a ton of benefits, both physical and mental. If you have had a stressful week, experiencing pain while walking or just want a calming touch, massage can do it all. This ancient technique to soothe muscles and get the blood flowing has been adapted in many cultures by different names and ways. There is Thai massage, Swedish massage, Hot stone massage, Sports massage, Deep tissue massage, Trigger joining massage, Shiatsu massage, Aromatherapy massage, Reflexology, etc. It’s like every other region has his own ways and techniques. So in this article, I am going to share with you 8 unexpected benefits of foot massage. Have a look:
8 Unexpected Benefits of Foot Massage
One of the common things that almost all the massage techniques have in common is that they relieve stress out of muscles and even from mind. So it’s not just the physical fatigue but also the mental one that is being treated.
1.Unwinds Tension
The muscles, tendons and even the nerves in our legs and especially feet are under constant pressure most of the time. When you are sitting for longer periods of time then it puts a lot of stress on the muscles and joints but what can one do, this has become the sad reality of our daily lives. Long office hours and then sitting for hours straight in front of screens. But even on the other extreme end when one is standing all day long, people like salesmen, guards, athletes who are into track and field, etc. They use their muscles too much which then leaves their feet swollen, in excruciating pain at times, tired, etc.
A good foot massage will help unwind tension in the muscles as well as the joints. Putting right pressure on the pressure points will help them
2.Increases blood flow
Have you ever felt extra cold feet even when others in the room aren’t? Have you been sitting for too long? If yes then you may be experiencing bad blood flow or decreased blood circulation in your feet. As mentioned in the earlier point that sitting for too long puts a lot of stress on your muscles, this behaviour can potentially hinder the circulation and can also become a reason for many health conditions. So you can either ask your partner to gently massage your feet or you can even get a foot massager and spend 15-20 minutes with it before going to bed. It will help you sleep well.
3.Relieves in Headaches
Do you suffer from chronic headaches? If yes, then foot massages can be a great way to relieve the pain. Our feet have a lot of nerve endings and hence a lot of the area under the arch is quite sensitive. Numerous studies have shown that regular massage sessions can effectively ease up the pain and problems caused. Reflexology and Shiatsu work in this domain. You can even purchase a massage kit or a massager that has been designed according to Shiatsu principles and can sit back and relax.
4.Arthritis
You may have heard of Arthritis, it’s a medical condition that consists of inflammation in joints, fluid build up and can cause intense pain. Though it’s hard to determine the root cause of one’s condition, foot massage can ease the pain quite a bit. You can use a massager with heating capabilities to ease up the pain.
5.Relieves Backaches
When was the last time you saw someone in your office working with a good posture? We all learned in school that a good posture helps keep up the blood flow, minimum tension in muscles and maintains the structure of the body. But this lifestyle which consists of us sitting all day long forces even the most disciplined to fall prey to bad posture. Proper foot massage can ease up the back pain caused by poor posture which in turn will also help you to maintain it.
6.Improves Immune system
Increased blood flow can also induce other benefits apart from just reducing pain. Light and regular foot massage can also boost immunity, making your body more capable of warding off diseases and infections.
7.Better Sleep
If you have trouble sleeping or have insomnia then too foot massage can help you sleep. You can ask anyone at your home to give you a massage or even get a self foot massaging machine and spend 15 to 20 minutes. Taking a hot shower just before bed will also help.
8.Decreases Depression
If you have the habit of overthinking, anxiety, depression, stress and even tension ruining your day and even your night. Then a few minutes of foot massage can instantly help calm down your mind. A lot of studies show reflexology and calm down patients to a great degree that are suffering from anxiety and panic attacks.
So these were the 8 less known benefits of foot massage that I wanted to share with you. Though there are various methods, medicines and treatments for all the conditions out there but I would suggest you to give a try to this natural treatment and experience the power of massage.
Hope it helps.
Thanks for reading!