Overview
Bad break-up? Bad boss? Bad day? A foot massage is the perfect way to escape and get centered again. The National Institutes of Health credits massage with improved circulation, elimination of toxins and an increased sense of being cared for. With some easy preparation, a few instructions and a little time, you and a friend can enjoy a blissful session of pampering.
Step 1
Set the stage. While a foot massage is relaxing in any environment, the right atmosphere can make it even better. Enhance this mini retreat by finding a quiet spot, minimizing distractions and dimming the lights. Use candles, flowers and soft music to sooth ragged emotions and promote a sense of tranquility.
Step 2
Line a basin of warm water with pebbles, sand or sea salt. The girl who is receiving the massage should sit in a comfortable chair with her neck supported by a small pillow. Place her feet in the warm water and encourage her to close her eyes and take deep, relaxing breaths while gently moving her feet through the water and through the pebbles or grain. After several minutes, have her remove her feet from the water and towel dry.
Step 3
Have her place her feet on a towel-covered footstool and begin with her right foot. Place open hands on either side of her ankle, sandwiching it between the palms of your hands. Slide your hands down her ankle, over the foot and ending at the toes. Exert soft, firm pressure. Repeat this motion, but rotate your hands slightly to cover a different section of the ankle and foot. Continue to repeat these long sandwich strokes from ankle to toes until the entire foot has been covered twice.
Step 4
Place your thumbs side by side at the middle portion of the sole of her foot while wrapping your fingers around the top. Press the pads of your thumbs gently against her sole and then draw your thumbs outward in opposite directions until they are at the outer edges of her foot. Move up and down her foot using this motion to softly open and relax the bottom.
Step 5
Support her heel in one hand while grasping the toes with the other. Push her toes slowly upward and downward. A good stretch helps to promote relaxation, but don’t extend her foot. Repeat this motion five times.
Step 6
Grasp her big toe between your thumb and forefinger and move it in three small, slow circles. Move down her toes, circling each of them three times. Repeat the entire circuit again, then use your thumb and forefinger to grasp the webbing between her big toe and second toe. Knead the webbing lightly for several seconds. Repeat this action for the spaces between the rest of the toes.
Step 7
Grasp her foot on either side with your thumbs on the bottom and fingers fanned over the top. Use the thumbs for support and move the pads of your fingertips downward from the top of the foot to the outer edges. Repeat this for several minutes, using gentle, firm pressure to massage the surface skin. Once completed, place her right foot down and complete these massage techniques on her left foot.
