How to Warm Up Feet for Massages

Often considered the gateway to the body, the feet not only hold the weight of our bodies, they also tend to hold our tensions. Foot massage, whether on it's own or combined with full body massage can be an excellent way to relax and improve circulation in the entire body. A few tips can teach you how to warm up the tissues of the feet.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Perform a foot massage with your client either face up or face down, depending on the specific techniques that you would like to use. A common method is to begin a full body massage with the client face down, work down the body to the feet and then have the client turn over. In this way you can apply all of your foot massage techniques without breaking up the massage.
2. Begin warming up the feet by cupping the foot in your hands. The edge and arch of the foot should be center between your palms. Apply very gently inward pressure as your roll your hands. This allows the bones of the foot to gently work deep muscles, warming up the tissues. As you work, become aware of range of motion or any tension which may be present.
3. Rest the heel of one hand along the edge of the foot with your fingertip gentle resting on the top of the foot. Place the heel of the opposite hand along the inside arch of the foot near the base of the bone of the big toe. Press the hand resting along the arch towards to opposite hand, gently stretching the base of the foot. This technique is best performed with your client face up.
4. Place one hand beneath the heel if the client is face up. If the client is face down you can perform these techniques by lifting the lower leg to a 90 degree angle and supporting the top of the foot near the ankle. Regardless of position, gently press the toes, moving them closer to the shin and then away from shin, moving slowly as you alternate gentle stretches.