How should I massage my tired
feet?
When you spend long hours on your
feet, a foot massage is a treat because it breaks up
uncomfortable deposits of crystallized calcium and lactic acid
(a chemical that makes muscles ache) in the foot. Follow these
simple, soothing steps to relax and refresh your
feet:
Sit on a chair and bring one foot up so
the sole is facing you.
Put a small amount of
massage oil or lotion in the palm of your hand and rub between
your hands. Starting with your big toe, apply firm pressure
while massaging the bottom side of your big toe with your
thumb for a few seconds.
Next, hold the flesh
between your big toe and the next toe with your thumb and
forefinger and use a slight twisting motion to
massage.
Then, hold your big toe and pull once
with a gentle upward motion, as if trying to pull the toe from
the foot.
Move to the next toe and repeat the
steps for each toe.
Use your thumbs or knuckles
to firmly rub in a circular motion from under the big toe
across the bottom of the foot to the baby toe and then work
your way down to the heel from side to side.
Massage
both feet for balance and adjust the pressure as you go. When
youre done, youll feel relaxed, your feet will feel softer
and your soles will thank you.
Click
here to read our guide to common podiatric problems -- and
solutions.
Alison Finney is a certified hatha and kundalini
yoga teacher in Ottawa. She is registered with the Yoga
Alliance and the International Kundalini Yoga Teachers
Association and is the founder of PranaShanti, a health and
yoga resource. For more information, visit www.pranashanti.com.
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