How to Massage Feet & Legs

If you have been on your feet all day, there is nothing like a foot massage. Your feet have thousands of nerve endings that can stimulate your entire body. Massaging them can help your entire body feel relaxed and refreshed.

Have the person lay on a comfortable surface but one you cam kneel and reach the feet. Be sure to kneel on a towel or comfortable surface.

Start the massage by stroking the entire foot and toes. Go as far as the ankle. This will relax your foot and warm it as you prepare for a great massage,

First give the foot a thumb stroke. Put your thumbs at the base of the toes stroking up the toes. Stroke the toes outward like a fan. Then go from the toes to the ankle using the same motion.

Some people are very ticklish but a toe massage feels great. Start by wiggling the toes. Then massage each toe individually by squeezing it and rolling it. Then pull it gently out towards you. End it by pushing all the toes gently backwards.

Stroking the tendons releases much of the tension in your feet. Massage each area of the tendon with one thumb followed by the other thumb upwards toward the ankle. Do it about four times in each tendon.

Applying pressure to the bottom of the feet is important. Press firmly on the sole with one thumb on the other for about 5 seconds. Do on various areas on the ball of the feet.

Hacking requires you to use the side of your hand. You will give small chops to the sole of the foot. These apply pressure but are not strong enough to move the foot very much. This motion helps wake up and invigorate the entire body.

Stretch the ankle by turning the foot from side to side. Then rotate it and turn again about 4 times on each foot. Be sure to support the ankle with one hand.

Rotary pressure on the ankle requires you to press firmly in an upward sweep in a circular motion. Use your middle fingers on the sides and your thumbs on the front of the ankles.

Now that your feet are awake, you need to relax them a bit. Stroke the entire foot gliding upwards toward the ankle. Then gently pull the ankle up towards you without lifting the leg. Release and hold foot in your hand for 5 seconds. Glide your hands across the foot finishing at the tip of the toes.

Now you may want to massage the legs. This can help ease leg cramping and back problems.

Kneel at the base of the feet and cup your hands over the ankle and stroke the front of the leg pressing gently on either side of the bones. Fan your hands on once you reach the top of the thigh and glide them down the sides. Then stroke up the sides of the legs.

Then you may want to knead the calf area. Knead upward and outward until you reach the knee area. Then just gently alternate hands stroking up the calf to the knee.

Put the knees of the leg up and criss-cross your hands across the calf gently to the knee. This is especially good for athletic people.

With legs still bent stroke up the back of the thigh with one hand and then the other. If you feel a hard tension spot you may want to knead it until it is relaxed.

Knees can use special attention. Make sure you support the knee and apply short pressure with your thumbs in a circular motion.

You may want to stretch by bending the leg and bringing it upward. Push onto it gently. Relax and repeat.

The back of the legs often require small strokes or small chops. Start at the bottom of the foot with the knee bent onto the bed and move up the leg.

These are the basic techniques to relax your feet and your legs. With practice these techniques will help to both relax and invigorate your partner.

Source: The Complete Book of Massage by Clare Maxwell-Hudson