What makes a long day better? Besides a glass of wine, it’s probably a foot massage. A foot massage can take away the stress from a long workday or the built-up anger of being held up in five o’clock traffic.
After standing or walking for hours on end, a foot massage can be just what you need to combat the swelling of your feet and tension underneath the skin.
What Are the Benefits of a Foot Massage?
There tend to be a lot of claims on the benefits of a foot massage that come with little evidence to back them up. However, there is scientific research that supports its immediate benefits, as well as those seen weeks after.
Even if it’s only done a few times a week, you will reap the benefits of its efforts.
Helps to Improve Circulation
The muscles in your feet don’t always get the exercise they need due to a lack of physical activity in your daily routine. This can be extremely true for most people who aren’t getting out like they once were before the pandemic.
Likewise, your feet may not get the circulation they need. A 10-20 minute foot massage before you fall asleep can improve circulation. This is highly important for those with diabetes.
Reduces the Risks of Injuries
Foot massages can help to reduce muscle soreness and joint pain. If you combine massages with stretching, you can potentially prevent any future injuries as well as speed up the recovery process of a previous injury. A short massage session a few times a week will lessen the risk of an injury.
Lowers Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can be caused by many things including stress and an unhealthy diet. High blood pressure tends to be common in both men and women, more common than you may think.
In most cases, there is no particular cause of high blood pressure. It is thought to be the result of someone’s genetics or other environmental factors in their life.
Lessens Effects of Anxiety and Depression
The type of massage, Reflexology, aims to relieve tension and treat sickness. Reflexology takes it further than just relaxation. Its techniques are effective in dealing with anxiety and depression and can be learned quickly
Helps Pain With Flat Feet and Plantar Fasciitis
People with flat feet do not have a normal arch in their feet. The arch may be very low or non-existent. Overall it may cause no extreme effects to your body, but some people do experience foot pain.
Plantar Fasciitis is a leading cause of foot pain affecting the connective tissue running under the bottom of your foot to the arch. Inflammation in the area or deterioration of the plantar can cause heel pain.
A regular foot massage combined with a deep massage can help significantly reduce pain and encourage healing.
Have more questions about how to best take care of your feet? Contact Foot Specialists of Birmingham for more information.
