Legs and Feet Massage
What is it? Our leg muscles perform the extraordinary balancing act and aid our locomotion every single day. The leg muscles are also naturally adept at massaging their own veins, redirecting the spent blood back to the heart against the considerable force of gravity. Tension created in the leg muscles then lead to multiple complications. For egs: Cramps and Varicosity are indications of tiredness in the legs. A bout of severe leg cramp may cause damage to the muscle. Fibres of the muscle may be torn due to the sheer strength of the muscle contraction and must be treated with a legs and foot massage to relieve tension accumulated in the leg muscles. Sports massage and reflexelogy are suggested leg and foot massage techniques for legs and feet care.
How can one benefit from a Legs and Feet Massage?
- Leg massage can relieve aching after standing too long & help tired muscles recover after exercise.
- Bad posture, backache and fatigue can all stem from unnoticed foot problem. Massaging the feet daily can refresh the whole body.
- Prevent injuries and loss of mobility.
- Cure and restore mobility to injured muscle tissue.
- Legs and Feet Massage stimulates the lymph system.
- Extend the overall life of your physical activity.
What are the different therapies known to render a Legs and Feet Massage? Leg and foot massage techniques include: Sports Massage, Hydrotherapy, Reflexology and Shiatsu are massage therapies that ensure a specific massage of the leg and the feet.
How does one render a Legs and Feet Massage?
Leg and Foot Massage: (As in sports massage)
Step 1: Massage the front of the thigh by:
- Effleurage (light stroking techniques)
- Deep effleurage (deeper stroking movements)
- Petrissage (kneading movements)
- Sustain pressure along the length of the muscle
- Circular frictions
Step 2: Massage the knee by:
- Circular frictions
- Frictions to the patella tendon*
* (The patella tendon connects the kneecap to tibia bone)
Step 3: Massage the front of the lower leg by:
- Effleurage
- Stripping the muscles
- Cross frictions to the tibialis anterior*
* (The tibialis anterior muscle is the large muscle that runs down the outside of the shin)
Step 4: And finally, the foot by:
- Light stroking to top of foot
- Spreading the metatarsals
- Petrissage to sole of foot
- Stripping the plantar fascia *
*(The plantar fascia is a thick, broad, inelastic band of fibrous tissue that connects the heel bone to the base of the toes.)
When should a leg or foot massage not be performed? Massage must not be performed during the acute stage of injury - usually 48 hours after injury. This is because if it is still bleeding then heat and massage will increase bleeding, instead of stopping it.
