For most people, if a full body massage is not available, the feet are a very willing understudy. They are literally the foundation on which we move and the bearers of our weight. Each foot has 26 bones (one quarter found in the body), 33 joints and more than 100 muscles, ligaments and tendons. This makes the feet, along with the hands, the more complex structures of the human skeletal system. Add to this approximately 7,000 nerve endings which add to their sensitivity and the reason they feel so good to the touch. Massage addresses some of the more common afflictions: soreness and fatigue, poor circulation, lack of flexibility and structural imbalance.

The Gait that Wears the Shoe

We all move differently. Few humans can claim the perfect posture or stride, but it can be something to work toward and in the process eliminate many issues. Injuries, genetic anomalies, overuse, stress and tension can all contribute to structural mis-alignments. Nowhere is this reflected more concretely than where we make contact with the ground. Our well-worn shoes tell all. The cause can be multi-faceted: an arthritic hip, chronic muscle spasms of the gluteals and piriformis, curvature of the spine, genu valgum (knock knee) and many more. One the best ways to address such a mis-alignment is wearing custom-made orthotics in one’s shoes and appropriate body therapies, including massage.

Pressure Points and Reflexology

The ancient art of Chinese medicine, specifically acupressure, addresses the complex neurological makeup of the feet by stimulating blockages in the many pathways or meridians that run through the feet. Also known as trigger points, the sensitive spots along the meridians can be ‘activated’ manually thereby balancing the energy in the body. Similarly, reflexology is a practice that believes the hands and feet have corresponding points to other parts of the body and its organs. The idea is that stimulating these points on the feet (or hands) can have a ‘reflexive’ curative result on the corresponding areas of the body.

The Foot Bath

Although not a cure-all, a regular soak of the feet can address everything from soreness, poor circulation, dry calluses or nail fungus. Keep a plastic tub just large enough for the feet in a convenient place. While reading a book, knitting, watching TV or some other sedentary activity, soak your feet in hot water with a 1/4 cup of Epsom salts for soreness and a few drops of tea tree oil for smelly feet, skin infections or nail fungus. Soak for at least 1/2 an hour, adding more hot water if needed. Pat dry and sprinkle with baby powder. With regularity,  your feet will soon feel more relax, softer, cleaner and fresher. Remember to let your feet breathe often. Shoes with poor aeration can be a breeding ground for all kinds of nasty problems of the feet.

Rod Cain, LMT owns and operates Rod Cain Massage Therapy in Burlington, Vermont.