FOOT AND HAND MASSAGE FOR HEALING
Foot Massage
I. INTRODUCTION WORKS
I have found hand and foot and hand massage to be an amazingly safe and effective method of healing.
Definition. The technique consists of firmly pressing on various points or areas on the top, bottom, sides and toes of the feet, and on the hands, as well. That is all there is to it!
Massage on the feet is often considered somewhat better than on the hands, although both are excellent.
Foot massage is a central part of all nutritional balancing programs. Do not skip this aspect of your nutritional balancing program! This article is an introduction to this wonderful method of healing.
I have found hand and foot and hand massage to be an amazingly safe and effective method of healing.
Definition. The technique consists of firmly pressing on various points or areas on the top, bottom, sides and toes of the feet, and on the hands, as well. That is all there is to it!
Massage on the feet is often considered somewhat better than on the hands, although both are excellent.
Foot massage is a central part of all nutritional balancing programs. Do not skip this aspect of your nutritional balancing program! This article is an introduction to this wonderful method of healing.
II. EXAMPLES OF FOOT MESSAGE BENEFITS
1. BOOST CIRCULATION
your hands and feet represent the furthest reaches of your body as far as your heart is concerned. Stimulating these extremities results in more oxygenated blood being delivered to all parts of your body.
2. HELPS ELIMINATE TOXINS
Feet and hands are linked to vital internal organs, and one of these is your bladder. A foot massage can be very helpful in improving your bladder function, which makes your body more efficient at eliminating toxins.
3. REDUCE HEADACHE
Whether headaches are caused by chemical imbalance, stress or muscle tension, copper elimination, the healing qualities of foot massage can both treat a headache in process, and prevent the next one.
4. REDUCE DEPRESSION
In my experience with many thousands of people with feelings of depression, the most important causes are often nutritional imbalances and body chemistry. Foot massage helps eliminate stress and improve the efficiency of your organ and circulatory systems, it may help maintain the balance of your hormone levels, reducing the chances of a depressive episode.
5. SPEED UP THE HEALING PROCESS
Another positive result of the combined boost to circulation, metabolism, and the central nervous system is that the body has more potent resources available to heal itself. For someone going through a retracing episode, a foot massage can speed up the time it takes to get past the healing crisis and back to your regular routine.
6. INCREASE METABOLISM
As amazing as it sounds, a proper hand or foot massage can result in increased energy.
III. HOW IT WORKS
Each part of your foot and hand – top, bottom and sides - corresponds or connects to a particular organ, gland or area of the body.
For example, the large toe, and all of the toes to some degree, correspond or reflex to the head.
The arch of the foot corresponds to the spine.
The middle of the foot corresponds to the trunk and internal organs.
As you press on various areas of the feet or hands, sometimes you can feel bits of hard sand-like crystals. This is a kind of sediment that build up in the channels. When it is removed by rubbing properly, the channel opens or empties. Energy then flows to the organ or gland with which the channel is connected.
your hands and feet represent the furthest reaches of your body as far as your heart is concerned. Stimulating these extremities results in more oxygenated blood being delivered to all parts of your body.
2. HELPS ELIMINATE TOXINS
Feet and hands are linked to vital internal organs, and one of these is your bladder. A foot massage can be very helpful in improving your bladder function, which makes your body more efficient at eliminating toxins.
3. REDUCE HEADACHE
Whether headaches are caused by chemical imbalance, stress or muscle tension, copper elimination, the healing qualities of foot massage can both treat a headache in process, and prevent the next one.
4. REDUCE DEPRESSION
In my experience with many thousands of people with feelings of depression, the most important causes are often nutritional imbalances and body chemistry. Foot massage helps eliminate stress and improve the efficiency of your organ and circulatory systems, it may help maintain the balance of your hormone levels, reducing the chances of a depressive episode.
5. SPEED UP THE HEALING PROCESS
Another positive result of the combined boost to circulation, metabolism, and the central nervous system is that the body has more potent resources available to heal itself. For someone going through a retracing episode, a foot massage can speed up the time it takes to get past the healing crisis and back to your regular routine.
6. INCREASE METABOLISM
As amazing as it sounds, a proper hand or foot massage can result in increased energy.
III. HOW IT WORKS
Each part of your foot and hand – top, bottom and sides - corresponds or connects to a particular organ, gland or area of the body.
For example, the large toe, and all of the toes to some degree, correspond or reflex to the head.
The arch of the foot corresponds to the spine.
The middle of the foot corresponds to the trunk and internal organs.
As you press on various areas of the feet or hands, sometimes you can feel bits of hard sand-like crystals. This is a kind of sediment that build up in the channels. When it is removed by rubbing properly, the channel opens or empties. Energy then flows to the organ or gland with which the channel is connected.
IV. SAFETY AND CAUTIONS
Safety is always the first concern in nutritional balancing science. Foot and Hand Message is very safe. However, here are a few cautions:
Here are the most common errors and difficulties that may arise with foot and hand massage:
1. OVERDOING TREATMENT
Do not treat yourself or another person for more than 20 to 30 minutes. Only trained people may be able to do longer treatments.
Foot and hand massage can remove some toxic substances from the body very quickly. If these are not released fast enough, or if one overtreats, one can experience some mild toxic effects that usually disappear quickly. These typically include some nausea, light-headedness or perhaps dizziness. These are not usually worrisome, but are not helpful.
Always have just one person rub your hands or feet at a time. More than one person working on the same foot or hand is usually too much. It is probably okay to have one person work on one foot while another works on the other. However, even here, please be careful, as too much treatment is not helpful and can cause some inflammation.
2. PRESSING TOO HARD
Pressing or rubbing too hard may cause pain, and even a black and blue mark. If this happens, allow the area to heal for a few days, and then use much less pressure on this area, as the veins may be weak in that area.
When rubbing the top of a foot or a hand, be much more gentle. The blood vessels in this area are far more delicate. Use some oil, if needed, to make rubbing smoother.
3. PRESSING OR RUBBING TOO LIGHTLY
During a session, you should find some painful areas, and perhaps some areas that are quite tender. If you are not feeling any of these, you may be rubbing too gently. Try increasing the pressure a little bit.
Some people do not have enough strength in their fingers to do a good job at massaging. They should use a foot roller, hand roller, or perhaps sit on a recliner and place their feet on the edge of the foot rest to be able to apply enough force or pressure.
Another method if this is a problem is to sit so that your feet or even hands are placed against the corner of a coffee table to do the treatment. Otherwise, you will need to have someone else do the treatment on you.
VI. WHEN TO USE FOOT AND HAND MESSAGE
Any time your feet hurt. Pain in the feet means they need pressing or rubbing, and the pain will often subside. This may sound too simple, but it usually works very well.
Chronic health conditions: It is excellent for chronic conditions ranging from constipation, pain, subluxation of joints, to very serious conditions as well.
Healing reactions and toxin removal. It can help remove all toxins and infections from the body, and may even be able to shift boney and other structures by some unknown mechanism. It can even help open certain channels of energy that can permanently improve one’s health status and promote what I call mental or spiritual development.
All acute conditions. Reflexology is also excellent for all acute conditions such as infections, accidents and injuries, toothaches, and much more.
VII. WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM FOOT MASSAGE?
Children
Foot massage is a wonderful method for parents to help their children’s health in a safe, easy and enjoyable manner.
Children usually love having their feet rubbed and respond well.
It can be used for many problems in children such as stomach aches, headaches, trouble falling asleep (it is fabulous for insomnia), sore throats, colds, other infections, asthma attacks, bruises, other aches and pains, and more.
You can also teach your children to do it on themselves.
TEENS AND ADULTS
Foot and hand massage is often an excellent way to connect with teenagers. It can be used just for relaxation and stress release, or for therapy.
THOSE OVER AGE 65 OR OVER
Adults of all ages can respond beautifully to foot and hand massage. Once again, it is a non-threatening and safe way to connect with elderly patients, and others.
When treating older people, use less pressure, and perhaps do shorter treatments. Use extra care because the skin is usually thinner and more delicate, and the veins are usually weaker and can be broken more easily.
VIII. HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Another use for hand or foot massage is to figure out the cause of a symptom or disease.
For example, if a person is not feeling well, one can begin to press on various areas of the feet, noticing which points are tender. This can provide excellent insight about which organ, gland or other structure is the cause of the symptoms.
TECHNIQUES
Here are the most common ways to do hand and foot massage, each with a few comments.
Pressing versus rubbing. The basic technique is to press or rub on certain points. Pressing is most accurate because you must put pressure on the point. However, you can rub firmly and it will work, to some extent.
Tools. Health food stores or online natural healing stores sell foot rollers, hand rollers, and rubber, wooden or metal balls, blocks, and other devices to help with foot massage therapy.
Tools can make foot massage more fun, are cleaner than using your fingers, and are excellent if your fingers are not strong enough to do a thorough job. Here are a few comments about foot massage tools:
One of these is the corners of the foot support pad of a recliner chair. This works quite well. You can sit comfortably in the chair and position your feet so that the corner of the foot support pad is just below your foot. Then press the foot into the corner of the pad.
Shoes And Shoe Inserts. Shoe inserts, and even special sandals are sold that have short rubber projections sticking up along the entire sole of the foot. They provide a foot massage session whenever one walks in them.
Shoe inserts or special shoes can definitely be helpful.
IX. GENERAL PROCEDURAL SUGGESTIONS
The following will enhance any foot massage session:
X. SEQUENCES FOR COMMON AILMENTS
Rules:
Headaches. Begin with the spinal twist, followed by pulling up the knees and then pushing down and popping the toes. This is to loosen up the entire structure and subtle energy system.
Then press briefly over each entire foot. This is energizing and relaxing. Do both feet briefly, before moving on to the specific therapy.
Now go to the toes on one of your feet, especially the big toe. You may want to begin by pulling and twisting the toe back and forth, and up and down. You can move it in a circle, as well.
Now rub and press all around the big toe. Do not forget to do the tip of the toe, the soft pad underneath, and all around the base of the toe. Once you are finished with this part of the session, do the same to the other foot.
Finish the session by briefly pressing or rubbing the entire foot, one foot at a time. The whole session should take no more than 10 to 15 minutes.
Digestive upset. Begin with the spinal twist, pulling up the knees, and popping the toes of both feet. This is to relax you and to move energy throughout the body for better circulation.
Now briefly rub or press all over both feet, one foot at a time. This is to further relax the body and prepare for the specific therapy.
Now move on to the digestive organs, one foot at a time. These are located in the central area of the bottom of both feet. Spend at least five minutes on this area on each foot.
Finish up with another brief rub or pressing on the entire foot – top bottom, sides and around the ankle bones.
Cardiovascular symptoms such as palpitations or rapid heart beat. This can be very helpful for retracing symptoms during a nutritional balancing program.
Once again, begin by briefly rubbing the entire foot, one foot at a time. Then move to the heart area, which is located on both feet below or to the rear of the second and third toes.
Rub the area firmly, all around, especially any spots that are tender or painful. Usually, you will find a few of them. Do one foot at a time.
Now finish up by briefly rubbing the entire foot, one foot at a time.
Premenstrual Syndrome. Our women clients report this can be extremely helpful if you have painful menstrual periods. Once again, begin with a firm, brief rub over the entire foot, one foot at a time.
Now move to the ovarian area, one foot at a time. This is located just below the ankle bone that sticks out on the outside of each foot. Rub all around. Often this area will be very painful or tender. That is okay. Just keep rubbing, one foot at a time.
Finish up with another brief rubbing or pressing of the entire foot, one foot at a time.
XI. TOOTH REFLEXES
These are not included in most foot charts, but they work amazingly for abscesses, pain or inflammation after dental surgery of any kind, and other toothaches. Some points are hard to find, so observe these simple rules:
Pain in the Right Upper Second Molar: Look for the reflex point on the FOURTH toe, INSIDE of MEDIAL side, very near the BASE of the toe in the webbing. When you find it, rub it firmly for a slow count of 10 and do this 7 times daily. Always do this on both feet. Often the most change will come from rubbing the toe on the side opposite the painful side.
Safety is always the first concern in nutritional balancing science. Foot and Hand Message is very safe. However, here are a few cautions:
- A session should generally last less than half an hour. Ten to fifteen minutes is usually enough.
- It is not necessary to press or rub a place on the foot or hand for more than one or two minutes.
- Do not repeat sessions more than a few times daily.
- Never force anything. If an area of the foot or hand is hard, tender or painful, it usually needs rubbing. However, it may take days, weeks, or even years to soften the area, so be patient.
- Never use sharp objects on the hands or feet.
Here are the most common errors and difficulties that may arise with foot and hand massage:
1. OVERDOING TREATMENT
Do not treat yourself or another person for more than 20 to 30 minutes. Only trained people may be able to do longer treatments.
Foot and hand massage can remove some toxic substances from the body very quickly. If these are not released fast enough, or if one overtreats, one can experience some mild toxic effects that usually disappear quickly. These typically include some nausea, light-headedness or perhaps dizziness. These are not usually worrisome, but are not helpful.
Always have just one person rub your hands or feet at a time. More than one person working on the same foot or hand is usually too much. It is probably okay to have one person work on one foot while another works on the other. However, even here, please be careful, as too much treatment is not helpful and can cause some inflammation.
2. PRESSING TOO HARD
Pressing or rubbing too hard may cause pain, and even a black and blue mark. If this happens, allow the area to heal for a few days, and then use much less pressure on this area, as the veins may be weak in that area.
When rubbing the top of a foot or a hand, be much more gentle. The blood vessels in this area are far more delicate. Use some oil, if needed, to make rubbing smoother.
3. PRESSING OR RUBBING TOO LIGHTLY
During a session, you should find some painful areas, and perhaps some areas that are quite tender. If you are not feeling any of these, you may be rubbing too gently. Try increasing the pressure a little bit.
Some people do not have enough strength in their fingers to do a good job at massaging. They should use a foot roller, hand roller, or perhaps sit on a recliner and place their feet on the edge of the foot rest to be able to apply enough force or pressure.
Another method if this is a problem is to sit so that your feet or even hands are placed against the corner of a coffee table to do the treatment. Otherwise, you will need to have someone else do the treatment on you.
VI. WHEN TO USE FOOT AND HAND MESSAGE
Any time your feet hurt. Pain in the feet means they need pressing or rubbing, and the pain will often subside. This may sound too simple, but it usually works very well.
Chronic health conditions: It is excellent for chronic conditions ranging from constipation, pain, subluxation of joints, to very serious conditions as well.
Healing reactions and toxin removal. It can help remove all toxins and infections from the body, and may even be able to shift boney and other structures by some unknown mechanism. It can even help open certain channels of energy that can permanently improve one’s health status and promote what I call mental or spiritual development.
All acute conditions. Reflexology is also excellent for all acute conditions such as infections, accidents and injuries, toothaches, and much more.
VII. WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM FOOT MASSAGE?
Children
Foot massage is a wonderful method for parents to help their children’s health in a safe, easy and enjoyable manner.
Children usually love having their feet rubbed and respond well.
It can be used for many problems in children such as stomach aches, headaches, trouble falling asleep (it is fabulous for insomnia), sore throats, colds, other infections, asthma attacks, bruises, other aches and pains, and more.
You can also teach your children to do it on themselves.
TEENS AND ADULTS
Foot and hand massage is often an excellent way to connect with teenagers. It can be used just for relaxation and stress release, or for therapy.
THOSE OVER AGE 65 OR OVER
Adults of all ages can respond beautifully to foot and hand massage. Once again, it is a non-threatening and safe way to connect with elderly patients, and others.
When treating older people, use less pressure, and perhaps do shorter treatments. Use extra care because the skin is usually thinner and more delicate, and the veins are usually weaker and can be broken more easily.
VIII. HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Another use for hand or foot massage is to figure out the cause of a symptom or disease.
For example, if a person is not feeling well, one can begin to press on various areas of the feet, noticing which points are tender. This can provide excellent insight about which organ, gland or other structure is the cause of the symptoms.
TECHNIQUES
Here are the most common ways to do hand and foot massage, each with a few comments.
Pressing versus rubbing. The basic technique is to press or rub on certain points. Pressing is most accurate because you must put pressure on the point. However, you can rub firmly and it will work, to some extent.
Tools. Health food stores or online natural healing stores sell foot rollers, hand rollers, and rubber, wooden or metal balls, blocks, and other devices to help with foot massage therapy.
Tools can make foot massage more fun, are cleaner than using your fingers, and are excellent if your fingers are not strong enough to do a thorough job. Here are a few comments about foot massage tools:
- Foot rollers. These resemble rolling pins used for baking, but with small projections on them. You can sit in a chair and read, work, talk on the phone, or watch television while rolling your foot back and forth over the roller.
- Pencil-like objects. These are for pressing hard on a spot. These can help, but be careful not to overdo with them.
- Balls. These are usually made of wood or hard plastic that one can roll around under one’s feet. Some people really like these.
- Electrical machines. You insert your feet or hands in the machine, which presses upon, rubs, or vibrates the feet or hands.
One of these is the corners of the foot support pad of a recliner chair. This works quite well. You can sit comfortably in the chair and position your feet so that the corner of the foot support pad is just below your foot. Then press the foot into the corner of the pad.
Shoes And Shoe Inserts. Shoe inserts, and even special sandals are sold that have short rubber projections sticking up along the entire sole of the foot. They provide a foot massage session whenever one walks in them.
Shoe inserts or special shoes can definitely be helpful.
IX. GENERAL PROCEDURAL SUGGESTIONS
The following will enhance any foot massage session:
- Be sure you are comfortable. Preferably lie down, or sit comfortably in a recliner or other comfortable chair.
- Relax the entire body. In other words, make sure you are not tense anywhere.
- Be sure to drink some water if you are thirsty, or eat if you are hungry. In fact, I suggest drinking a small glass of water before each session even if you do not think you are thirsty, as it will often help the session to be more successful.
- Breathe deeply before and during the session. This is less important, but may help, as well.
- If someone else is giving you a session, let them know if they are rubbing too hard, or not hard enough. Also, be sure to tell the person who is treating you if you believe an area needs more attention. Tell the person exactly where to rub and how to rub the area. This is very important in some cases.
- Learn about some odd places to rub, such as the sides and tops of the toes. Also, the crevices between the toes and other unusual spots will often be found to be very sensitive.
- Sessions usually need not be longer than 10 to 20 minutes per foot or hand. At times, a longer session is helpful, while at times, a shorter session is adequate. Practice will help you determine this.
- Some people like to use a little almond oil or other oil when doing a session, especially on another person. It can make your hand slide along the foot or hand a little easier. I do not feel this is necessary, but some people prefer it.
- foot massage tools. These are usually rubber or wooden rollers, balls that one rolls under the feet, or others. These can be very helpful if used correctly. They are discussed in more detail later in this article.
X. SEQUENCES FOR COMMON AILMENTS
Rules:
- Always do both feet, even if your pain or discomfort is only on one side.
- Work on the left foot first, followed by the right foot.
- Press or rub more on any area or point that is very tender or painful. Often the tenderness will subside if you do this, and symptoms will also improve.
Headaches. Begin with the spinal twist, followed by pulling up the knees and then pushing down and popping the toes. This is to loosen up the entire structure and subtle energy system.
Then press briefly over each entire foot. This is energizing and relaxing. Do both feet briefly, before moving on to the specific therapy.
Now go to the toes on one of your feet, especially the big toe. You may want to begin by pulling and twisting the toe back and forth, and up and down. You can move it in a circle, as well.
Now rub and press all around the big toe. Do not forget to do the tip of the toe, the soft pad underneath, and all around the base of the toe. Once you are finished with this part of the session, do the same to the other foot.
Finish the session by briefly pressing or rubbing the entire foot, one foot at a time. The whole session should take no more than 10 to 15 minutes.
Digestive upset. Begin with the spinal twist, pulling up the knees, and popping the toes of both feet. This is to relax you and to move energy throughout the body for better circulation.
Now briefly rub or press all over both feet, one foot at a time. This is to further relax the body and prepare for the specific therapy.
Now move on to the digestive organs, one foot at a time. These are located in the central area of the bottom of both feet. Spend at least five minutes on this area on each foot.
Finish up with another brief rub or pressing on the entire foot – top bottom, sides and around the ankle bones.
Cardiovascular symptoms such as palpitations or rapid heart beat. This can be very helpful for retracing symptoms during a nutritional balancing program.
Once again, begin by briefly rubbing the entire foot, one foot at a time. Then move to the heart area, which is located on both feet below or to the rear of the second and third toes.
Rub the area firmly, all around, especially any spots that are tender or painful. Usually, you will find a few of them. Do one foot at a time.
Now finish up by briefly rubbing the entire foot, one foot at a time.
Premenstrual Syndrome. Our women clients report this can be extremely helpful if you have painful menstrual periods. Once again, begin with a firm, brief rub over the entire foot, one foot at a time.
Now move to the ovarian area, one foot at a time. This is located just below the ankle bone that sticks out on the outside of each foot. Rub all around. Often this area will be very painful or tender. That is okay. Just keep rubbing, one foot at a time.
Finish up with another brief rubbing or pressing of the entire foot, one foot at a time.
XI. TOOTH REFLEXES
These are not included in most foot charts, but they work amazingly for abscesses, pain or inflammation after dental surgery of any kind, and other toothaches. Some points are hard to find, so observe these simple rules:
- All points are on the SIDES of the THIRD and FOURTH toes.
- Always do both feet, even though your pain or problem is only one on side.
- FRONT TEETH are always nearer the nail or TIP of the toe.
- BACK TEETH are always nearer the BASE of the toe or DEEP IN THE WEBBING of the base of the toes.
- UPPER TEETH are always on the INSIDE or MEDIAL side of the toes (side nearest the big toe).
- LOWER TEETH are always on the OUTSIDE or DISTAL side of the toes (side nearest the little pinky toe).
- When you find the right point, it will usually hurt a lot. Rub firmly for about 10 seconds only (count slowly to 10). Then stop. Repeat this about 7 times a day in this manner.
Pain in the Right Upper Second Molar: Look for the reflex point on the FOURTH toe, INSIDE of MEDIAL side, very near the BASE of the toe in the webbing. When you find it, rub it firmly for a slow count of 10 and do this 7 times daily. Always do this on both feet. Often the most change will come from rubbing the toe on the side opposite the painful side.
XII. OTHER TOPICS
PLANTAR FASCIITIS AND FOOT MASSAGE
Foot pain affects more than 3 million Americans each year. Often a doctor will call the problem plantar fasciitis. This means inflammation of the large tendon that connects the toes and the heel, located on the bottom of the foot.
However, in many cases, foot pain is just the body’s way of signaling you that it needs a foot massage session.
Our clients sometimes tell me “I cannot rub my feet because they hurt”. I respond – “Your feet hurt because you need a foot massage, and you can often literally rub out the pain.
Basically, the flow of energy is stuck, which causes the pain. Foot massage solves the problem and the pain goes away. Try it!
DETAILS ABOUT REFLEX AREAS
PLANTAR FASCIITIS AND FOOT MASSAGE
Foot pain affects more than 3 million Americans each year. Often a doctor will call the problem plantar fasciitis. This means inflammation of the large tendon that connects the toes and the heel, located on the bottom of the foot.
However, in many cases, foot pain is just the body’s way of signaling you that it needs a foot massage session.
Our clients sometimes tell me “I cannot rub my feet because they hurt”. I respond – “Your feet hurt because you need a foot massage, and you can often literally rub out the pain.
Basically, the flow of energy is stuck, which causes the pain. Foot massage solves the problem and the pain goes away. Try it!
DETAILS ABOUT REFLEX AREAS
- The arch – Reflex To The Spine
- The Toes – Reflex to the head and brain.
- Between the Metatarsals – Top Of The Feet – reflex to the main meridians.
- The thyroid gland and neck – the neck or base of the big toe.
- The Adrenal, Kidney and Bladder Areas – bottom of the foot just ahead of the heel.
- Reflexology Above the Ankle Bone – the meridians travel through this area. Rubbing or pressing here can help activate and clear the meridians.
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I earned and completed my certification in holistic nutrition and in Functional Diagnostic Nutrition and I am now practicing Hair Mineral Analysis and Nutritional Balancing Science to people all over the globe from her home in Vancouver, British Columbia.
With the help of Dr. Lawrence Wilson, whom I work with, we develop a finely tuned nutritional balancing program designed to balance your body based on the results of regular hair mineral analysis testing and your specific health status. You can contact me here. |