Lower leg and foot massage.pptx

Lower leg and foot massage

1. Lower leg and foot massage

2. Benefits of lower leg massage As with massage, it has a therapeutic effect Activates the parasympathetic nervous system (relaxing effects) Lowers blood pressure Reduces the release of stress hormones Decreases blood pressure Induces a calmer state of mind Increases the release of feel-good hormones (e.g. oxytocin, serotonin) Has a detoxing effect on the body Reduces anxiety and depression Healthier feet

3. Foot massage Although a foot massage is not reflexology, it is worth remembering that the feet are a mini –map of the body (this is the theory of reflexology). So, even though we are gently massaging the feet, we are, in affect, giving the whole of the body a massage, in an unobtrusive way.

4. What not to do with your client’s feet! Do not cut your client's toenails, or file their feet! These tasks are for a podiatrist (also known as a chiropodist, or foot care practitioner). As a massage therapist, we are not qualified or insured to use scissors or files on the feet. It might be that your client asks you to do one of the above tasks-gently explain that you are not qualified to do it and another professional needs to do this. Even though we cannot diagnose our client's feet, if they are looking in need of professional attention, let you manager know about this.

5. Massage and the ageing body – things to think about The skin becomes thinner and is more fragile with aging Clients are more likely to have multiple health conditions Clients more likely to be taking medication that will need to be taken into consideration Clients are more likely to be less mobile Best practice to carry out shorter treatments to suit clients physical tolerance Although important with ALL clients, it is particularly important to ensure your clients feel safe – physically and emotionally Very important to reassure your clients you will stop at any time and they can always say is something feels painful or uncomfortable

6. Gentle leg and foot massage routine After carrying out a consultation with your client and assessed their needs and preferences, decide on your treatment plan (i.e., what you will deliver today).   Make sure your client is comfortable and be prepared to carry out the massage from where they are unless they are mobile and prefer to move to another location/ position. Make sure you keep good postural alignment throughout, to prevent from injuring yourself, or causing any unnecessary muscular tension. Remind your client they can ask you to stop, or tell you if they are uncomfortable or in pain, at any time during the therapy session. Even if your client has had several treatments from you, make sure you remind them about this at the beginning of every session.

7. Keep the leg supported at all times. Begin by taking a firm but gentle hold of one lower leg and carry out gentle effleurage for a few minutes, concentrating on the back of the calf and no pressure on any bony areas. If appropriate, you might apply slightly firmer pressure by massaging the calf with the knuckle of one hand while supporting the leg with the other hand. Massage gently around the knee cap. Massage gently around the ankle with the fingers, circling from the outer ankle towards the front of the ankle until the finger tips of both hands meet, then circle back around toward the outer ankle / heel. Repeat this movement several times. This movement can help reduce oedema is the ankles. The feet: Effleurage the foot, applying your palm to the sole of the client’s foot and sweeping to the top of the foot, alternating both hands. With both hands in contact with the foot at the same time. Make sure you are quite firm so that you are not very light handed as this might be ticklish for the client and uncomfortable! Check in with your client to ask if the pressure is comfortable for them.  

8. Take each toe in turn and gently massage the joints and toe between your thumb and second, possibly third, fingers. This might help with arthritis pain. Make firmer massage movements on the top area of the foot, if appropriate. You can, if appropriate, make a fist and sweep the knuckles on the third horizontal zone of the foot (the green area in the diagram below), sweeping down and repeating this several times. Rub firmly around the heel area with one hand, while supporting the foot with the other hand. Adjust your body so that you can easily reach the inside of the foot. Make ‘wringing out’ movements of the inside of the foot, moving up and down the foot, without holding/ touching the toes. This is the spinal reflex. Complete by some more effleurage movements all over the foot. Note: Effleurage can be carried out any time during the session , between other movements, or, it may be appropriate that you simply carry out effleurage on the clients foot rather than any of the stronger movements.