Foot massage - Why your feet deserve a massage

Show your feet! Did you know that there are reflex points in the feet that, when stimulated with a massage, can radiate well-being throughout the body? Our feet carry us through the day and are therefore subjected to a lot of wear and tear. After a stressful day at work, you just want to put them up. We often feel pain or pressure, some feet swell or the soles of our feet “burn”. A relaxing treatment would be just right. In the case of orthopedic misalignments, this affects the entire musculoskeletal system and can lead to back or knee pain. Therefore, many people wear special insoles in their shoes to compensate for these deficiencies. So you see, the feet have a significant influence on our entire body and our well-being. That's why you definitely deserve a thorough massage. More and more people in Germany are internalizing this fact and have long since recognized the benefits of foot reflexology massage.

What is behind foot reflexology massage?

Massaging the feet involves stimulating reflex points, each of which is related to a part of the body or organ. Activating the points triggers reflexes or reactions in the body, which is why it is called a foot reflexology massage. The Chinese began the first treatments around 5,000 years ago after they became aware of the positive and even healing effects. Since then, the method has been part of traditional, naturally applied medicine in China.

The feet also deserve honor and recognition

We often underestimate the importance of our feet. We like to put them in nice shoes that they don't always feel particularly comfortable in. We unconsciously pay more attention to appearance than functionality. Otherwise we would probably squeeze them into uncomfortable pumps less often, knowing that in the evening we would love nothing more than taking off the stylish shoes because of the pain. Feet are for moving around and we take for granted the service they provide us. Maybe this article will help you look at them with different eyes.

The Chinese way of looking at feet is very different from ours; after all, they are the part of the body that connects us to the earth we walk on. According to the Chinese, they function as an entry gate and distribution center for (earthly) energy, the Qi.
The feet are a reflection of our health and healing is possible by stimulating the reflex zones. Once the points have been identified, treatment can begin. During the massage the energy, Qi, is released and distributed throughout the body. The optimized blood circulation ensures the exchange of toxins for energy.

The zones of my foot

You can roughly divide your foot into 4 zones, which cause reactions in different areas of the body through the massage:

Form the toes Zone 1: If we have problems with our head, a massage of the toes can help. Headaches and neck pain, for example, are addressed, as are dental problems, tired eyes, inflamed sinuses and many more.

Zone 2 Located on the balls of the feet: They are primarily massaged in connection with our chest. This also includes organs such as the lungs and bronchi, the heart and the ribs.

In the arch of the foot we find Zone 3: All organs between the diaphragm and the waist, such as the liver, spleen, pancreas and stomach, benefit from massaging this area.

To Zone 4 The heel and the transition area from the arch of the foot belong there: the focus of this zone is the kidneys, the various intestinal sections, the bladder and also the knees.

What positive reactions can a foot reflexology massage cause?

Triggering beneficial reflexes by stimulating the 4 foot zones can help:

• reduce stress
• To relax and unwind
• To improve sleep quality
• to release tensions
• In pain relief
• To release energy and transfer it to the targeted parts of the body
• To stimulate water retention and toxins
• To strengthen the immune system
• To promote blood circulation
• To evoke positive feelings
• To optimize the energy flow

What exactly happens during a reflexology massage?

The masseur will make sure you are comfortable and ask which area of ​​the body you would like to target.

The massage is carried out directly on the skin using an essential oil or lotion. To do this, the stripped feet are elevated on a pillow and cleaned before the kneading treatment, usually with warm, damp towels.

The therapist then takes a closer look at the feet in order to determine the reflex zones more precisely. With his hands he works intensively on the zone that was identified in the previous conversation. If your feet are ticklish, you don't need to worry, because the masseur addresses the handles and pressure points precisely. It stimulates the flow of energy and evokes positive reactions from the focused organs or areas. A session lasts about 1 hour, after which you feel vital and relaxed. If necessary, regular treatment should be considered.

What costs will I incur?

For a one-off treatment you have to expect to pay between 30 and 100 euros. The fee varies greatly between rural and urban areas. In Germany, foot reflexology massages are not considered medical therapies such as physiotherapy and are not recognized by most health insurance companies. Nevertheless, there are occasional subsidies for alternative treatment methods, especially if they are related to conventional medical therapy and promote its effectiveness. Therapy centers themselves grant discounts for long-term treatment or offer treatment packages.

Foot reflexology for everyone?

With a few exceptions, everyone can enjoy reflexology. However, the following requirements must be observed: 

• If you have a sprain, fracture or other foot problem, you should avoid massage
• Pregnant women can try massage from 4 months and avoid it before then
• People who suffer from heart and blood vessel diseases and are at risk of thrombosis are not advised to undergo foot reflexology
• You are not suitable for massage during an infectious illness such as flu or similar

We recommend that you consult your doctor and seek advice from him before any treatment. When choosing a therapist, pay attention to seriousness and professionalism. Certificates and proof of training are good evidence of the suitability of the masseur. Not everyone who wants to knead your feet is well versed in this area.

The ancient Egyptians may have recognized the benefits of reflexology before the Chinese, because on the sarcophagus of the Egyptian doctor Ankhmahor (2330 BC) there are images showing people performing foot massages. With the hot desert sand, these were certainly put under a lot of strain.

Which area should I have treated?

The foot influences our entire body, including organs, joints, muscles, glands, etc. Depending on your concerns or which part of the body and its function should be optimized, the appropriate zone must be selected. For knee pain, focus on zone 4, the heel. If you have a tense neck, a foot toe massage can help. Of course, you can carry out such a treatment on your feet yourself, but you can also do a lot of things wrong. It is always preferable to have it carried out by a specialist.

How can I give myself a foot massage?

Get into a cozy, comfortable position. Now stretch your foot out and circle your ankle. Then stroke the foot with both hands from the heel towards the toes. After stretching your toes, make small, circular movements from heel to toe. Press painful areas for a few seconds. The feeling after letting go is relieving. Finally, as at the beginning, run your hands over the foot as if you wanted to smooth it. Over time you will be able to identify your reflex points and find the sensitive areas more quickly.

Various aids are available as an alternative to the hands or in addition to self-massage. Hedgehog balls/massage balls, wooden massagers with rollers or regeneration mats, for example. A warm foot bath can ensure that your feet are relaxed before the treatment.

Some massage chairs are able to perform a foot reflexology massage that is very close to manual therapy in terms of effectiveness and quality.