I have taken on the challenge of changing up my daily routine, in any way I can, for seven days. Basically, it’s a way to shake up my way of thinking and allow for new inspirations. One of the many adaptations I am planning on is how I start my massage protocols. For this week, I am going to start at the feet. Feet are vital to our overall wellness and quality of life, so I am always shocked to hear from therapists and clients how few of us give them little or any attention. This makes them another excellent region to amp up our skills and efforts.
I know all of us have learned foot massage, but I’m going to challenge you to go deeper. Once you have introduced yourself to the feet with some warming techniques, look at them, and the adapted distortions developed. Are toes twisting, curling, saluting, crammed together, or buried? Are there signs of the beginning of bunions or calluses on the top of the toes? Do the arches (we have three) experience rebound when pressed? Are the ankles mobile? Are the feet pointing down to the table while supine, or are they showing inversion/eversion?
Amped Up Techniques
Loosen Achilles Tendon
Perform Myofascial, Petrissage, and Effleurage by reaching under the leg. I typically utilize Geothermal (hot/cold stones) therapy, starting at the calves.
Mobilize ankles
Place the ulnar side of your hands superior to ankle bones and perform a rhythmic back /forth and up/down. Take ankles thru a full range of motion with the Alphabet Stretch (like drawing the cursive alphabet with their foot). This is a great assessment and relaxation tool, as well as great self-care.
Mobilize arches
1. Place hands-on dorsal and plantar surfaces of feet and press/release. Gently wring the feet. Feel for a rebound. Place hands on the foot's lateral and medial side, resting your fingers on the dorsal side—alternate pressing one hand up while pulling the other hand down. Move fingers closer to the midline and repeat several times- allowing you to work between each metatarsal.
2. Place both hands side-by-side on the foot's medial side and twist one hand away from you while holding the other stationary. Repeat on the entire midline of the foot.
3. Place flat fist along the diaphragmic line (inferior to the ball) of the plantar side of the foot. Place other hand enveloping the toes. Create a push and pull between your two hands.
Toes
If toes are distorted, look to the direction they are pulled to. Place a finger over that area and just inferior, applying gentle but firm pressure. If there is tenderness, hold pressure on the area until you feel softening of the tissue. Release and reassess. Keep moving around the area until you see improvement. Sometimes I will utilize cross fiber, piezoelectric and myofascial to aid in the release.
As always, this work may be tender, but it has to be tolerable and never torture! Finish off with a pleasant application of fast-absorbing Biotone’s Polar Lotion: cooling, refreshing, and therapeutic (a great retail item)
Most of us chose this profession to make a difference in people’s lives. There is no greater calling than to help people stay active and pain-free; feet are a fundamental component of that. You will be amazed at what you can accomplish if your eyes, head, heart, and hands work together.
Be well, Do good work, and Write us about your favorite tips for working on the feet.