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9 lesser-known health benefits of foot massages

A foot massage is often seen as a luxury or a self-care ritual people want to treat themselves to. It relaxes a person’s mind, boosts mood, and relieves pain. To put it simply, heading to the spa for a foot massage is a little slice of heaven. But there’s more than meets the eye. Massages have advantages beyond indulgence and self-care. If someone gets a foot massage regularly, it can provide numerous other health benefits.

Improves emotional state
Most types of massages, including food massages, provide relaxation and calmness. They are enough to reduce stress levels and make people feel better. So, those who often feel stressed and worried should think about getting a foot massage. Some foot massages are known to help improve the symptoms associated with mental health problems. They can help people even if their condition is very severe.

Improves sleep
If someone wants a relaxing nap or a night’s sleep, they can use a simple 10- or 15-minute foot and leg massage as a precursor. The soothing effect the body experiences from a foot massage can help a person relax and sleep better. It improves blood flow, slows down the heart rate, and calms down one’s nerves. These effects promote longer and deeper sleep while also helping one fall asleep faster.

Brings down blood pressure
Today, high blood pressure is a mounting concern among most adults. Many factors can lead to this health issue, for example, unhealthy eating habits, poor lifestyle, a lack of exercise, genetics, and persistent stress. High blood pressure can, in turn, cause other health problems. A person can use many strategies if they want to prevent high blood pressure, but one of the easiest ways to reduce blood pressure is regularly getting a foot massage. People can experience lower blood pressure and improved circulation if they only get foot and leg massages a few times during the week.

Prevents injuries
A massage is a great solution to prevent injuries and support the body’s recovery process. It helps loosen the tightness in the muscles and prevents problems like muscle pulls. These benefits are significant for those who perform intense physical activities or play sports. Such individuals should invest time in getting a foot massage a few times a week. One can also give themselves a quick massage for 5 to 10 minutes to keep the muscles loose, improve blood circulation, strengthen their joints, improve their range of motion, and relieve twisted ankles or feet.

Helps with pain
Massages are a great way to decrease pain and aches in the feet. The pressure applied can help the tissues relax and soothe the nerves. Foot massages might also be helpful if someone is dealing with aches and pains in other parts of their body. For example, they may help people with backaches, lower back problems, neck pain, neck stiffness, headaches, migraines, hip mobility issues, and thigh pain. Remember, the pressure points in the foot are connected to various other body parts.

Boosts immunity
Our feet are susceptible entry points for numerous infection- and disease-causing microorganisms. Think about infections like nail fungus and athlete’s foot. People can easily contract these when exposed to locker rooms, swimming pools, and community showers. When a person has regular foot massages, they provide the tissues in their legs and feet with improved oxygen and white blood cell supply. This can help fight fungal infections and other conditions. Massages can also bring down the inflammation levels in the body that contribute to the weakening immune system. A simple massage can, therefore, play a crucial role in protecting against infections and enhancing one’s immune function.

Improves feet health
People with flat feet often experience pain when walking. In this condition, the feet lack the arches and natural curves. In severe cases, the pain might be present even when resting. Those with flat feet can opt for deep tissue massages to strengthen their foot muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This can help improve the overall health of the feet and reduce the pain.

Helps manage headaches
Foot massages have also proven helpful for headaches and migraines. However, there is a need for more research and concrete evidence. The massages are believed to help as they improve blood and oxygen supply to the body. Regularly experimenting with foot massages might help patients better manage the frequency and intensity of their migraine episodes. It might also be beneficial for people dealing with PMS-induced mood swings and headaches.

Improves circulation
Improved blood circulation is among the top benefits of getting foot massages. A foot massage enhances blood supply to the feet and other body tissues. Improved circulation, in turn, heals some amount of damage caused by a lack of exercise, poor eating habits, and a sedentary lifestyle. Since the feet are farthest from the heart, they are the first to be impacted when someone’s body has poor circulation. It can give rise to coldness in the feet, numbness, tingling, pain, and other symptoms. If a person gets a simple foot massage daily, it can help get rid of all these problems. It can also improve one’s bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons.

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