When it comes to your overall health, your feet are probably one of the last things you’d think of.
And while your feet support your body weight most of the day, it’s rare that they actually get any special attention as you unwind in the evening.
To get the most out of your sleep and reset your health every morning, make it a habit to massage your feet at night.
What Is Reflexology?
Reflexology is the application of appropriate pressure to specific points and areas on the feet, hands, or ears. Like in acupuncture and acupressure, it is believed that these points are connected to different organs and systems in your body (1).
Reflexologists massage these points to promote better health and healing of these systems through improved blood and lymph flow. Reflexology also help relieve stress, which contributes up to 80% for the development of any illness (2).
Health Benefits
Reflexology is typically used as a non-invasive complimentary treatment for conditions like anxiety, asthma, cancer treatment, cardiovascular issues, diabetes, headaches, kidney function, PMS, and sinusitis.
It’s also known to cure insomnia, treat dementia and improve the well-being of patients with mobility issues.
As it stands, scientific studies have proven its efficacy in treating chronic pain, headaches, stroke, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, asthma and chronic stress (3).
How To Massage Your Feet
Doing this at right before bed will give your body a change to detox and re-establish itself while your sleep, leaving you rejuvenated and energized when you wake up!
- Start sitting down in a solid, comfortable chair and rest your right foot on your left knee. Your thighs should remain parallel to each other.
- Consult an acupressure chart to have an idea of where to massage. For example, if your feeling pain of the left side of your neck, massage your left foot in the spot that corresponds to your neck.
- Keep your back straight and tall and use your thumb to apply pressure to the corresponding spot. Start with a light touch and gradually build to a firm pressure as you hold the spot for 2 minutes.
- Start to knead the area or apply circular motion for 1-2 minutes.
- Work through the other organs that need attention and finish with a light massage on your whole foot, not forgetting the toes or top of your feet.
- Repeat daily, taking a 3-4 days break after 10 consecutive days of treatment.