Maybe you don’t realise it, but there’s a lot of pressure on those ankles of yours (besides the obvious: cutting shapes at the club each weekend). When your feet hurt, the rest of your body can feel out of sorts, so it’s important to pay your soles some attention, not only when shopping for new shoes. As vital as it may be, the ‘feeling good’ effect of heading for a foot massage is only one perk, we know there’s a whole lot more. Here they are – your justification for a massage, if you like – four benefits of heading for a foot massage, aside from feeling really nice.
By Rachel Spedding
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1 It improves circulation
It goes without saying that a sedentary lifestyle can have negative impact on the body. Minimal physical activity (like sitting at your desk all day, and sofa at night), your muscles can become accustomed to not being used, and tighten up. This can impair circulation, leading to heart problems and high blood pressure. Well, good news, massage therapy won’t just soothe your feet, it’ll help to boost blood flow and get that circulation pumping. Rubbing feet helps for a healthy heart, honest.
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2 It can reduce PMS
For real. Foot massage can help to alleviate symptoms of PMS, notably tension, insomnia, headaches and mood swings. How’s that? Research suggests that pressing certain points of the body triggers endorphins (and serotonin), which can lower pain perception, and alleviate discomfort (like those infamous period cramps). The pressure point, in this case, is located in the arch (around a thumb-width from the ball of the foot). Mention this to your masseuse, if it’s a specific area of concern, and relax. *Chocolate and napping also recommended.
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3 It soothes injury
Maybe you’re recovering from an injury, or just went a little too hard on last nights workout (to justify the Dominos…); massage can help to stimulate cell activity and muscle flexibitlity to decrease tension. That helps to nourish damaged cells, and lesson symptoms of pain and discomfort – hurrah. Better yet, as well as helping to ease join pain after injusry, when combined with strengthening exervise, massage can actually help to prevent future injury. Summary: foot massage is always a good idea.
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4 It can promote better sleep
Turns out, a massage may be just what you need to achieve that highly sought-after eight-hour sleep. Massage = dreamy, more sleep = even better. Technically, foot refloxogy is the key here, helping to overcome disturbed sleeping patterns and insomnia through addressing pressure points in the foot. Who knew there was so much tension in your toes? Well, us, actually.
Walk your feet to the salon. With Treatwell, you can book beauty online at all your favourite salons – simple, hassle-free, and you can do it on the go. Click here to discover amazing salons in your area.