The Healing Power of Massage
It’s National Massage Week! We’re big fans. If you think getting a massage is a frivolous indulgence, think again! According to the Mayo Clinic, massage has the potential to help with:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Digestive disorders
- Fibromyalgia
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Nerve pain
- Postoperative care
- Scar tissue
- Soft tissue strains and injuries
- Sports injuries
- Improved circulation
- Decreased muscle stiffness
- Decreased joint inflammation
- Better quality of sleep
- Quicker recovery between workouts
- Improved flexibility
- Less pain and soreness
- Strengthened immune response
- Lower stress levels
- Improved relaxation
- Improved mood
- Decreased anxiety
- More energy
- Increase feeling of wellness
Sometimes scheduling a massage at the last minute isn't possible. For a quickie self-care move, you can DIY a massage for your head and feet that feels truly great.
For Your Head:
- Using your fingertips, begin with a gentle tapping motion around the eye area, sinuses, cheek bones, temple, and brow with your fingertips.
- Then place your thumbs right below your brow bone or the inner corner of your eye. Press gently but firmly for 10 to 15 seconds. Then press upward, over your eyebrows, moving pressure towards the forehead. Sweep your thumbs outwards towards the temples and slightly downward. This helps move your blood and lymph fluid in its natural direction.
- Break up your elevenses (the "worry" lines between your brows) by beginning at your brows and dragging your pointer and middle fingers upward across your forehead toward your hairline. Make “c” shaped motions with the pads of the same fingers from the middle of your forehead outward. Then, with your pointer fingers above your brows and your thumbs below, create a clamping like motion and smooth outwards.
For Your Feet
- Sit comfortably and rest one foot on the opposite knee so you can reach it with both hands. Grasp the foot with both hands and press your thumbs slowly along the bottom of your foot from the heel to the toes. (This can be done as one stroke or by walking your thumbs up the center line of your foot.)
- Next, rub the fleshy pad of each toe, then squeeze for 30 seconds. Grab the base of each toe between thumb and forefinger and pull up. Pinch at the web between the toes (especially between the first two).
- After that work the ball of the foot with both hands. Try long, sustained strokes, or make little circles with your thumbs. Do the same on your arch and heel. As you use your thumbs, reach your fingers across the top of the foot and rub gently.
- Finish your foot massage with your ankle by flexing and rotating your foot several times to loosen it. With your hand flat, rub back and forth just under the ankle. Then stroke the top of your foot from toes to ankle. End with soothing strokes up the calf from ankle to knee.
Tools of the Trade
Of course, no massage would be complete without a nutrient-rich body oil and lotion (we do not recommend using these on your face – for that use a bioactive facial oil, such as our Glow Oil).
For body and feet, however, our Body Oils and Body Lotions are perfect. Scented with luxurious and exotic essential oil blends, they will transport you to a relaxing getaway, even if you’re simply trading foot rubs in front of Netflix with your boo.