Give your feet a break with a good foot
massage.
Wash the feet thoroughly and adopt a
comfortable position that allows you to reach all parts of your foot.
Anoint the feet with a skin lotion for
lubrication when carrying out the massage.
Massage the area between your toes using
your fingers and your thumb. Wiggle and wriggle the toes and pull each one
gently. Then move to the four metatarsal bones that run along the top and
middle of the foot. Moving from the base of your toes to just above your ankle,
slowly massage one area at a time.
The soles. When you are working on
yourself, this is easiest with your foot propped on the opposite knee, with a
towel underneath to protect your clothing from cream. Using your thumbs, make
small, circular motions that cover the entire surface of the bottom of your
foot, moving from the base of your toes toward your heel. Keep the pressure of
the circles steady and even. Use a bit more firmness on your heels as the skin
there is tougher.
Still working the sole, use your pointer
and middle fingers to make crosswise movements, back and forth, from the heel
to the ball of your foot.
Taking a firm hold of the foot, raising it,
and massaging the back of the calf with the free hand is effective in relieving
muscle stress in that leg.
With one hand holding the heel and the
other enfolding the toes, rotate the foot, without causing pain, to gain an
overall sense of relaxation, ease and well-being.
After the massage, wipe the soles of your
feet with a towel to prevent your feet from being slippery. Slip into some
wonderful heavy cotton socks or favorite (clean) slippers.
