Self Care fo the Feet

Submitted by Terry M Geer

We sometimes neglect or take for granted some areas of our bodies. One such area is our feet. They carry large and small weights over hard and soft surfaces. They are pounded and abused by poorly designed and ill-fitting shoes. When they have had enough rough treatment they may let us know with aches, pains and soreness.

We may be able to alleviate some of this discomfort with some simple self-care for the feet. You can start with a warm footbath. Add 1/2 cup of Epsom salts to a gallon or more water. The water should be warm enough to be comfortable, test with your hand to make sure it is not too hot. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes or until water cools, wipe feet with large towel and put them to bed.

Another type of footbath, can include a soothing or calming body cleanser added to the water, again checking the temperature to make sure the water is comfortable and not too hot. Remove one foot and place on towel. Apply a small amount of body polish to your finger tips then apply and spread it across the entire top and bottom of the foot. The body polish will help exfoliate the rough areas of the sole and heel of the foot.

Place that foot back in the water and rinse it thoroughly. Repeat the exfoliating procedure on the other foot. Remove one foot at a time and dry by wrapping it in a towel and squeezing all over. When through remove the towel.

For more pleasant pampering to your feet you can perform the following massage.

• Massage the claves to release tension. Rotate the ankle and stretch the foot five time in one direction and then in reverse. Massage around the ankle bone with the thumb and fingers. Hold the foot between both hands for a moment.
  
• Make a loose fist, firmly using your knuckles; massage the entire sole of the foot from heel to base of toes. Repeat three times.
  
• Massage arch of the foot using the thumb pad working form the heel to the big toe. Repeat three times.
  
• Separate the toes to locate the point between the big and second toes. Work this point by massaging in a circular motion, counter-clockwise then clockwise.
  
• Massage slowly and rhythmically from the heel of the sole of the foot straight up to the base of the second toe and then continue this process to and including the little toe.
• Working on the top of the foot, massage between the tendons and ligaments with the fingertips of both hands using a firm sliding movement. Start between the toes and slide toward the ankle. Be sure to cover the entire top of the foot with special emphasis on the area between the big and second toes. Repeat three times.
• Starting at the base of the big toe, use a pinch, release and slide motion covering the sides, then tip and bottom of the toe. Stimulate the pressure points located on and below the toenail, then press and quickly release the points located on either side of the nail. Repeat the above on the remaining toes.

Reference: Aveda Institute