How to give a foot massage

Step 1: Stroke the top of the foot

Stroking stimulates circulation and warms the foot. Holding your partner’s foot in your hands, on the top of the foot begin a long, slow, firm, stroking motion with your thumbs, starting at the tips of the toes and sliding back away from you, all the way up to the ankle, then retrace your steps back to the toes with a lighter stroke. Repeat this step three to five times.

Stroke the bottom of the foot.

Step 2: Ankle rotations

Loosens joints and relaxes feet. Cup one hand under the heel, behind the ankle, to brace the foot and leg.

Grasp the ball of the foot with the other hand and turn the foot slowly at the ankle for three to five times in each direction. With repeated foot massages, any stiffness will begin to recede. This is a particularly good exercise for those of you suffering from arthritis.

Rotate the foot from the ankle.

Step 3: Toe pulls and squeezes

Toes, like fingers, are quite sensitive to the touch — this massage can be very calming. Grasp the foot beneath the arch. With the other hand, beginning with the big toe, hold the toe with your thumb on top and index finger beneath.

Starting at the base of the toe, slowly and firmly pull the toe, sliding your fingers to the top and back to the base. Now repeat, but gently squeeze and roll the toe between your thumb and index finger, working your way to the tip and back to the base. Repeat these two movements on the remaining toes.

Gently pull and squeeze the toes.

Step 4: Toe slides

Grasp foot behind the ankle, cupping under heel. With the index finger of the other hand, insert your finger between the toes, back and forth for three to five times.

Slide your fingers between the toes.

Step 5: Arch press

Releases tension in the inner and outer longitudinal arches. Hold foot as you did in Step 4.
Using the heel of your other hand, push hard as you slide along the arch from the ball of the foot toward the heel and back again. Repeat five times. This part of the foot can stand a little extra exertion on your part, just don’t apply too much pressure. Push your hand along the arch of the foot

Step 6: Stroking. Repeat step 1

This is a good way to begin and end a foot massage.

Agony of the Feet Relaxing Massage Oil

You’ll need:

• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) castor, jojoba, soybean, or extra-virgin olive oil

• 3 drops lavender essential oil

• 1 drop German chamomile essential oil

• 1 drop geranium essential oil

To make:
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Stir thoroughly. Yields one treatment.

To use:
Use approximately 1 teaspoon (5 ml per foot and massage in completely. Inhale the aroma on your hands before you massage, and continue to breathe deeply, as these particular oils are extremely calming. Put on socks after massage to absorb excess oil and soften feet.