Health benefits of foot massage and reflexology

Reflexology, also known as zone therapy or acupressure, dates back to ancient China and Egypt, and is documented in ancient medical texts as far back as 4000 B.C.E.. Similar to acupuncture’s potential benefits and methodology, reflexology uses pressure rather than needles to activate points and organs throughout the body to relieve pain, stimulate circulation, and bring balance to the bodily systems.  

1. Foot therapy can strengthen people's metabolism. When we soak our feet at night, we feel very comfortable. The same is true for foot therapy, which can warm the whole person's body. People who has tried foot massage know the taste.

2. Foot therapy can relieve body and mind. When we have a busy day's work, sitting up and doing a foot therapy will instantly stretch our body and mind, relieve fatigue, and relax our body. At the same time, foot therapy can help calm the nerves and help sleep.

3. Foot therapy can soften blood vessels, strengthen the body, promote blood circulation, increase the elasticity of blood vessels, and prevent cardiovascular diseases.

4. Foot massage can prevent vomiting in pregnant women. Some pregnant women have persistent severe vomiting, such as difficulty eating, general malaise, weight loss, less urine, dry skin and mucous membranes. These conditions must be treated in time to avoid affecting maternal and fetal development. Foot massage therapy has a significant effect on these conditions.

5. Relieves Aches and Pains
Reflexology can help treat different types of pains and aches, such as headaches, migraines, neck pain, lower and upper backaches.
For backaches, gently massage along the spinal reflex with your thumb, starting from the side of the toe to the ankle using small circular motions. Also, massage the soles and tops of your feet.

If you have neck pain, massage the toes as well as the joints that join the toes to the foot for 5 minutes firmly and soon the pain will vanish. You can massage the whole ankle to reduce pain and swelling in the ankle and get relief from headaches and migraines.

6. Makes Feet Healthier
One easy way to keep your feet healthy and free from all kinds of foot problems is a regular foot massage. It helps stimulate the muscles around your feet, lessens stiffness and even reduces pain in the ankles or the heels. Plus, a short 5-minute foot massage daily will make your ankles strong and flexible, thus preventing unpleasant ankle and foot injuries. It has been found that massaging your feet with warm olive oil or coconut oil can give much relief from the pain and inflammation caused by foot tendonitis. Also, it is considered an excellent treatment for heel spurs.