As an old saying goes, “The root dries up first before a tree dies, and the feet grow feeble first when a man ages.”
The feet not only support the weight of the whole body but also have a close relationship with the individual’s overall health. Foot massage can improve many small health issues throughout the body.
To address the various health problems common to modern people, such as eye fatigue, allergies, and cardiovascular diseases, foot massage expert Professor Zheng Yingji, who has been studying traditional Chinese medicine and foot massage for more than 40 years, shares with us the massage techniques that can be used at home.
There are seven types of people who shouldn’t do foot massages: people with foot trauma, people whose blood vessels are prone to rupture, patients with serious diabetes and wounds, severe hypertension or hypotension patients, involuntary mental patients, extremely weak patients, and people whose face is particularly red or pale.
Although pregnant ladies can enjoy a foot massage, it is recommended for them to receive the massage from a professional, instead of self-massage, so as not to cause the contraction of the uterus.
Before the Massage Prepare Massage Tools, and Relax Muscles and Bones
The human body is a masterpiece of the Creator. From the brain, facial features, organs, urinary organs, and internal and external reproductive organs, to lymph and nervous systems and bones, all of them have corresponding reflex areas in the feet. Applying pressure to different parts of the feet corresponding to the organs which, if they aren’t functioning well, will produce pain and can even uncover diseases.
A foot massage can be used as a complementary therapeutic technique. And together with medical treatment, it can have a multiplying effect. Professor Zheng has used foot massage to save his own daughter, who was once on the verge of death and to improve his son’s sequelae of preterm birth. Also, regularly performed foot massage can condition and strengthen the body of healthy people.
When doing foot massage at home, in addition to using our hands, we can also use massage tools to save energy and enhance the effect. There are three types of commonly used massage tools.
Massage wand: It can save our energy while performing deep stimulation.
Massage ball: convenient for self-massage. It is recommended to choose a ball that is not too hard so that all parts of the foot can be rubbed without getting injured. If there is no massage ball at home, we can also use an old golf ball, as it has the right size and hardness. Professor Zheng emphasized that one must sit down first, then roll the massage ball with the soles, so if the floor is too slippery, one can also place a towel on the floor.
Massage oil: It can be any type of lubricating non-allergenic oil, or even lotion, and commercially available massage oil. It can be used with hands and the massage stick to prevent friction, which may cause blisters. However, it cannot be used together with the massage ball, so as not to lose friction when the ball is being rolled.
Before the massage, we must first let the body and mind relax. The techniques we can use include resting in a comfortable position, soaking our feet in warm water, and putting warm towels on the feet. After completing the massage, we should drink a glass of water to replenish the fluid lost due to accelerated metabolism during the massage.
Foot Reflex Areas Correspond to the Internal Organs and Other Parts of the Body
All the organs and parts of the body have corresponding areas in the feet, which are called the “foot reflex areas.” Massaging these areas can regulate the functions of their corresponding organs and parts of the body, reduce pain, and enhance the body’s self-healing power.
Together with Father Josef Eugster Johann (aka. Ruoshi Wu), the founder of reflexology in Taiwan, Professor Zheng has compiled a complete set of theories and massage methods for the foot reflex areas.
“You shouldn’t massage each reflex area for more than five minutes,” Prof. Zheng stressed. We shouldn’t message any one area for too long, or press it too hard.
Plantar Reflex Area
Among all the foot reflex areas, the most mentioned is the plantar reflex area. When we put the soles of the feet together, they form a microcosm of the body organs. On top of the arch of the foot, there are the corresponding areas for the heart and lungs; under the arch of the foot, there is the corresponding area for the intestines; on the heel, there is the area for the pelvis; and on the toes, we can find the reflex areas for the brain and eyes.
The plantar reflex area contains the corresponding areas for the brain, frontal lobe, temporal lobe, pituitary gland, cerebellum, eyes, ears, tongue, thyroid, trachea, esophagus, neck, trapezius muscles, shoulder joints, upper limbs, elbows, lungs, heart, liver, gallbladder, spleen, stomach, pancreas, adrenal glands, kidneys, ureters, bladder, duodenum, small intestine, appendix, upper colon, transverse colon, lower colon, sigmoid colon, rectum, anus, organs in the pelvic cavity, and tailbone.
Top of the Foot Reflex Area
We can massage the top of our feet for lymphatic drainage, breast care, and diaphragm improvement.
The top of the foot reflex area contains the corresponding areas for the nose, teeth, upper jaw, lower jaw, vocal cord, larynx, tonsils, splenius capitis muscle, trachea, esophagus, upper body lymph, axillary lymph, thoracic duct lymph (right foot: right lymphatic trunk), shoulder joints, inner ear labyrinths, thoracic and mammary areas, diaphragm, ribs, trunk lymph, abdominal lymph, groin lymph, lumbar pain points, and sacral spine pain point.
Inner and Outer Foot Reflex Areas
There are also important reflex areas on the inner and outer feet. The corresponding areas for the spine, uterus, and prostate are on the inner foot; on the outer foot, there are the areas for ovaries, knee joints, and abdominal muscle relaxation points. These two areas also have lymphatic reflex areas, as well as sciatic nerve and lumbar pain points.
The inner foot reflex area contains the corresponding areas for the rectum, hemorrhoids, medial sciatic nerves, internal hip joints, abdominal lymph, groin lymph, medial pelvic lymph, bladder, urethra, vagina (female), penis (male), uterus (female), prostate (male), internal coccyx, sacral vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, cervical vertebrae, and nose.
The outer foot reflex area contains the corresponding areas for: abdominal muscle relaxation points, trunk lymph, lateral pelvic lymph, lateral sciatic nerves, external hip joints, ovaries (female), testicles (male), tailbone, knee joints, elbows, upper limbs, shoulder joints, shoulder blades, sacral spine pain points, and lumbar pain points.
A foot massage heals minor ailments, detoxifies the body, and protects the eyes and heart.
Detoxify the Body
The liver, kidneys, lungs, and large intestine are the body’s detoxification organs. We can promote detoxification by massaging these reflex areas. In addition, we should drink a lot of water and exercise until we sweat.
Liver reflex areas: the green area on the bottom of the right foot, covering the lower parts of the second to fourth metatarsal bones and extending to the first metatarsal bone.
Kidney reflex areas: the dark parts in the center of the soles of both feet in the picture, under the third metatarsal bone, a cashew-shaped area.
Lung reflex areas: the white parts on the soles of the feet, covering the upper parts of the second to fifth metatarsal bones.
Large intestine reflex areas: white striped areas in the picture.
Massage techniques: Use the thumb pulps to push up (for a very short distance) on the reflex areas, or use the massage ball to roll up and down in a straight line (shouldn’t roll the ball horizontally, to not hurt the hamstring or foot bones).
Relieve Eye Fatigue
Computers, televisions, and cell phones bring convenience to our lives. However, they have also caused excessive eye use. We can massage the eye reflex areas to maintain our eyes and relieve fatigue.
In addition to massage, Zheng reminded us to try to stay away from electronic devices, not read in places that are too bright or too dark, rest more, and take care of our liver and kidneys.
Eye reflex areas: the green parts in the picture are located on the phalanges, toe joints, and toe pulps of the second and third toes on both feet.
Massage techniques: Use the thumbs to push from the roots of the toes to the toe pulps, or use the massage ball to press and stimulate the areas. Make sure that both eye reflex areas are pressed.
Improve Nasal Allergy
People who are prone to allergies often experience a runny nose, congestion, and sneezing during the change of seasons. In this case, we can press the inner side of our big toe pulp to relieve symptoms.
In addition, people with allergies should pay attention to temperature changes and add or remove layers accordingly.
Nose reflex area: the white part in the picture, on the bottom of the foot, next to the inner part of the big toe’s toenail.
Massage technique: Prop one foot up, use one thumb or the heel of the other foot to push the reflex area from bottom to top.
Improve Cardiovascular Problems
Nowadays, cardiovascular maintenance is becoming increasingly important, especially for people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar, as well as people who are prone to heart diseases, myocardial infarction, and other problems. Massaging the heart reflex area can improve cardiovascular problems.
In addition, we should eat less greasy food and exercise more. Patients with hypertension should take their blood pressure regularly, keep a calm mood, and avoid getting angry easily.
Heart reflex area: the heart-shaped red part on the bottom of the left foot in the picture, located at the upper one third area of the fourth metatarsal bone, expanding towards the third and fifth metatarsal bones.
Massage techniques: Use one thumb to push the heart reflex area from bottom to top; or use the massage ball to press on the top of the reflex area and roll forward to massage it.
Improve Indigestion and Bowel Problems
People with indigestion and constipation can improve the symptoms by pressing on the reflex areas of the stomach, spleen, pancreas, and duodenum on the soles of the feet. The pancreas is an endocrine and exocrine organ that secretes digestive enzymes.
Stomach, pancreas and duodenum reflex areas: in the centers of the inner sides of the feet, represented by the yellow, gray, and red parts in the picture. They are located at lower parts of the first and second metatarsal bones on the bottom of the foot.
Spleen reflex area: the yellow part in the picture, close to the base of the fourth metatarsal bone on the left foot.
Massage techniques: Use the thumb pulps to push from the bottom of the reflex areas to the top; or use the massage ball to roll up and down in a straight line on these areas. Do not roll horizontally, to avoid hurting the hamstring or foot bones.
Relieve Menstrual Pains
Women with menstrual pains should not eat cold food or frozen treats. They should take more rest and keep their abdomen warm during their menstrual periods. In addition, they can also press the pituitary gland, adrenal gland, uterus, and ovary reflex areas on the feet to relieve pain. According to Zheng, ladies can press these reflex areas outside of their menstrual periods, too. They should exert less pressure on these areas during menses, to not cause excessive blood loss.
Pituitary gland reflex areas: the black dots in the picture, located at around the center of the toe pulp
Adrenal gland reflex areas: located in the gap between the lower quarters of the second and third metatarsal bones
Uterus reflex area: on the inner side of the heel, pear-shaped
Ovary reflex area: on the outer side of the heel, pear-shaped
Massage techniques:
When massaging the pituitary gland reflex area, use the massage wand to push from bottom to top; or place the big toe pulp on the highest point of the massage ball, and then use the other foot’s heel to press above the first foot’s big toe.
When massaging the adrenal gland reflex area, we can use the massage wand to press it and pull; or we can massage this area with the highest point of the massage ball, and use the other foot’s heel to press from the first foot’s top.
When massaging the reflex areas of the uterus and ovaries, use the thumb pulp to push and knead them in a circular motion.
Promote Circulation After Sitting for a Long Time
Whether it’s for school or work, a sedentary lifestyle is common among modern people. However, it’s also harmful to our health. In addition to spending time exercising, Zheng said that we could massage the heart, spleen, and kidney reflex areas to promote blood circulation, as sitting for a prolonged period of time will hurt our kidneys, spleen, and bones.
Heart reflex area: the heart-shaped red part in the picture
Spleen reflex area: the yellow part in the picture, close to the base of the fourth metatarsal bone on the left foot
Kidney reflex areas: the dark parts in the center of the soles of both feet in the picture, under the third metatarsal bone, cashew-shaped
Massage techniques: Use the thumb pulps to push from the bottom of the reflex areas to the top; or use the massage ball to roll up and down in a straight line on these areas.
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