5 Massages for Pressure Points on Feet That You Can Do Anytime
Did you know that your feet can help you to relieve pain? You have pressure points on both of your feet that are connected to other parts of your body, including organs. Massaging these points helps to relieve pain in the connected part of the body. It can even help in the treatment of certain diseases and ailments – for instance, bringing down your blood pressure to help treat your heart disease. You don’t need a special therapist in order to reap these benefits. Here are five massages you can do anytime, even at your desk, on the pressure points on your feet.
– Are you wondering if you need a massage? Let’s find out by reading this post – Who Needs a Massage the Most?
Foot Reflexology Points Chart
Contents
1. Massage for Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is a common problem, especially for those who frequently lift and carry things at work. It could be caused by sprains, strains, injuries, or even health problems like chronic diseases or organ dysfunction. In many cases, a foot massage on the proper pressure point can offer more effective relief for back pain than even a back massage.
A study published in 2012 by the Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research showed that nurses working in hospitals who suffered from chronic lower back pain benefited from regular massages on foot pressure points. The massages reduced the intensity of the pain and seemed to have a sedative effect on the lower back region.
Generally, the lower part of the foot corresponds to the lower part of the body, so massaging lower pressure points will relieve lower back pain. If you find yourself struggling to concentrate at work because of lower back pain, take a few minutes to try the following massage:
- Massage the arches of one foot in short strokes with your thumbs.
- You can move up to your toes, still using short strokes, but focus on the arches.
- Move to the other foot and do the same thing.
Another simple way to relief your back pain is using a back massager. Read my review about best massager.
2. Massage for Upper Back Pain
Upper back pain can also get in the way at work. Like lower back pain, it can be caused by sprains, strains, injuries, and underlying conditions. It could also be caused by injuries and sprains to the shoulders, lower neck, and upper spine.
Acupressure Foot Points for Back Pain
The upper part of the foot corresponds to the upper part of the body. Massaging the upper portion of your feet will relieve pain above your torso, such as your upper back. You can use a pressure point called the spinal reflex to relieve upper back pain. This strip runs from toe to heel and represents your spine. Massaging the spinal reflex eases stress on the spine, allowing energy to flow through your back and relieve the pain. A massage to treat upper back pain will focus on the upper part of the spinal reflex. To get the most out of this pressure point, try the following massage:
- Massage along the spinal reflex using small circular motions, starting with the side of the toe. This strip runs all the way to the ankle, but for upper back pain, you want to focus on the upper part from the toe to the middle of the foot.
- You can follow up by rubbing the soles and tops of your feet for relaxation.
– Don’t Miss: Best Foot Massager Reviews on the Market 2022
3. Massage for Neck Pain
Neck pain can be very annoying. It can keep you from focusing on your work and can come with other symptoms, such as headaches, muscle spasms, and neck stiffness and tightness. There are a variety of conditions that could cause neck pain, including muscle strains, injuries, worn joints, nerve compression, or bad posture.
A strip on your foot, running along the joints that connect the toes to the foot, serves as a pressure point for the relief of neck pain. The following massage will help you take advantage of this pressure point to relieve neck pain:
- Firmly massage the joints with your thumb for five minutes.
- You can apply pressure along the entire strip, or focus constant pressure on a single joint.
4. Massage to Lower Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is also known as hypertension and can play a role in serious health problems such as heart disease and stroke. It occurs when the force of the blood is too strong against the walls of arteries. A foot massage can reduce systolic blood pressure, enhancing your management of serious conditions or decreasing your risk of developing them altogether.
A study that was published by Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi in 2004 showed that hypertension patients who received regular foot massages experienced a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure and triglyceride levels.
Massaging the solar plexus point can help to bring down your blood pressure. It is also known as the kidney point, since it can help treat kidney dysfunction and deficiencies as well. Try the following massage to treat hypertension:
Solar plexus point & Kidney point
- Locate the solar plexus point by squeezing the sides of your foot. The hollow that forms is the solar plexus point.
- Apply pressure to the point with your thumb for a few seconds. Take a deep breath.
- Release your thumb and breathe out.
- Repeat on your other foot.
- You can follow up by massaging the entire foot for an extra 10 minutes.
- For optimal benefits, this massage should be done twice a week for several weeks.
5. Massage to Relieve Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps can strike at any time. They can cause you to lose focus and alter your posture in order to achieve relief. If the cramps are severe enough, they can even bring a halt to your day until you can ease them. This is very problematic when you are at work. These cramps can be caused by muscle strains, injuries, or even chronic conditions.
To relieve muscle cramps quickly, you can turn to a pressure point on your foot called Zu Lin Qi. In addition to muscle cramps, this point can help to alleviate lumbar pain. It can even help to reduce serious conditions like apoplexy, which is an unconscious state resulting from a cerebral hemorrhage or stroke, and certain eye conditions. It is often also connected to the gallbladder and liver. The point is sometimes called Falling Tears.
To relieve sudden muscle cramps at work, sit comfortably at your desk and perform the following massage on the Zu Lin Qi pressure point:
Zu Lin Qi pressure point (Via: activehealth.ie)
- Find the pressure point by running your finger along the outer side of your foot. You will find it about a third of the way down, between the bones of your fourth and fifth toe. When you apply pressure to it, it should feel a bit sore. The above image of the point will help you find it better.
- Apply pressure firmly and constantly for several minutes or until you start to feel relief.
- Repeat the process on the other foot.
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Foot Pressure Points Can Help Relieve Your Aches and Pains at Any Time
Nothing gets in the way of a productive workday more than sudden pain. Back pain, neck pain, and muscle cramps all cause you to lose focus and spend time and energy on pain relief. Even high blood pressure can get in the way, especially if you are spending time worrying about it. These simple massages on certain pressure points on your feet can help to relieve pain and worry. They only take a few minutes to complete and will provide immense benefits to your overall health.
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