How to Access the Feet for Massage

In massage therapy, the feet are often considered the gateway to the body, as they not only hold the weight of our bodies day in and day out, they also tend to hold our tension. Foot massage techniques can be used on their own to relieve stress and improve circulation throughout the entire body, or to either end or begin a full body massage.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Stand at the foot of the massage table with your client face down. Place your hands gently under the ankles and gently pull down while spreading the feet 6 to 8 inches apart. As you release the very subtle stretch, slide your hands down the tops of the feet and gently turn the toes in slightly so that the tops of the feet rest flat on the surface of the table.
2. Use this position to perform a variety of foot massage techniques. You can place your hands into fists to roll and press your knuckles into the arches of the feet. Use your thumbs to make long slow strokes from heal to toe or to spread and open the arches.
3. Place yourself on one side of the massage table and slip your lower hand under the ankle, cupping the foot gently. Lift the lower leg so that it is at a 90-degree angle. From this position you can also perform a number of foot massage techniques.
4. Cup your hands around either side of the foot with your thumbs resting below, over the top of the foot, and your fingertips together along the arch. Press your hands in towards one another and roll the foot between your hands, allowing the bones of the feet to massage deep muscles. Keep your upper hand under the foot, supporting the leg, and use the thumb of your lower hand to work into the arch and around the toes. Finally, cup your hands around the ankle and gently massage around the bones in a circular motion.