1. Improve blood circulation
Due to the sedentary lifestyle, we are not used to using muscles regularly. The muscles of the feet hardly do any exercise and wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes usually hinders blood circulation. Massage for 10 to 20 minutes before going to bed can greatly improve the blood circulation of the lower limbs, which is especially important for people with diabetes.
2. Help prevent foot and ankle injuries
Massaging the feet can help relieve joint pain, help recover from injuries, and relieve muscle soreness. If the foot massage is combined with the strengthening exercises of the feet and ankles and stretching, it can prevent future injuries and speed up the recovery of existing injuries.
3. Reduce the effects of depression and anxiety
Reviewing some studies on the effects of reflexology, it seems that the scope of this foot massage is not limited to just relaxation, but may also reduce one's depression and anxiety.
4. Helps with headaches and migraines
A study showed that people suffering from headaches and migraines showed great improvement after receiving reflexology treatment. The subjects stopped taking the medication, three months after completing the treatment, 65% of the patients had relieved their symptoms and a few patients had been cured. It is believed that those who perform foot reflexology manage to make other positive lifestyle changes that may help them achieve impressive results.
5. Lower blood pressure
Hypertension has become quite common in modern life. It may be caused by many factors such as stress and unhealthy diet, but in most cases, it has no specific cause and is considered to be the result of environmental factors and genetics. A study of age care staff working with senior people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (the job is very stressful and the body and mind burden is heavy), showing that a 10-minute foot massage session is performed every week (up to 3 times a week) Can improve mood, reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure.
6. Helps flat feet and plantar fasciitis
People with flat feet do not have a normal arch due to loose ligaments, causing the arch to collapse. It does not have a big impact on people, but some people will feel pain in their feet even after light physical exercise due to flat feet. Inflammation or deterioration of the heel fascia (the connective tissue that supports the arch of the foot) may cause chronic heel pain. Regular foot exercises combined with deep massage can put a lot of pressure on the arch of the foot, which can help relieve pain and even cure these conditions.
7. Reduce the impact of edema in pregnant women
Edema, the swelling caused by the accumulation of water in the feet and ankles, is very common in pregnant women, mainly in the last trimester. This can be combated by massaging the feet every day, plus adequate rest and a proper diet.
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