Foot massage: The pause that refreshes and is good for you! - Harvard Health (2024)

Regular massage improves circulation, stimulates muscles, reduces tension, often eases pain

Foot massage: The pause that refreshes and is good for you! - Harvard Health (1)Your feet work hard for you every day. Especially at this busy time of year for many people — shopping, get-togethers with family, friends, co-workers, school events — there is no shortage of time spent on one's feet.

Just like your neck, back, and shoulders, your feet can also benefit from a regular rubdown. Foot massage improves circulation, stimulates muscles, reduces tension, and often eases pain. It also gives you a chance to check out your feet so you can get a jump on treating blisters, bunions, corns, and toenail problems.

Do-it-yourself foot massage

A professional foot massage is a treat, but not necessary to get the benefits. Here is a guide to a do-it-yourself foot massage:

  1. Sit in a comfortable chair. Bend your left leg and rest your left foot gently on your right thigh.
  2. Pour some skin lotion or oil into your hand. Rub it gently into your foot and massage your whole foot including the toes, arch, and heel.
  3. Do a deeper massage. Press the knuckles of your right hand into your left foot. Knead your foot as you would bread. Or work the skin and muscles by holding a foot with both hands and pressing your thumbs into the skin.
  4. Using your hands, gently pull the toes back and forth or apart. This stretches the muscles underneath.
  5. Repeat on the other foot.

Massage devices in local drugstores or health stores can also help relax and restore your feet. Foot rollers are low-tech devices that can provide fast foot massages at home or at work. Simply remove your shoes, and roll your feel over the massagers for a quick pick-me-up.

More than three out of four Americans will suffer some kind of foot ailment in their lifetimes. Find out how to keep your feet fit and healthy and how to treat problems when they occur buy Foot Care Basics, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.

Foot massage: The pause that refreshes and is good for you! - Harvard Health (2024)

FAQs

Does Nooro really work for neuropathy? ›

Nooro Foot massager can give significant relief in neuropathy.It can be used with other measures as the following;1) Medications like Tegretol, Pregabalin, Gabapentin2) Topical therapy with capsaicin or lidocaine patches3) Acupuncture4) Alpha-lipoic acid; it has antioxidant properties5) Transcutaneous electrical ...

Does foot massage have health benefits? ›

Just like your neck, back, and shoulders, your feet can also benefit from a regular rubdown. Foot massage improves circulation, stimulates muscles, reduces tension, and often eases pain. It also gives you a chance to check out your feet so you can get a jump on treating blisters, bunions, corns, and toenail problems.

Does an EMS foot massager really work? ›

Yes, an EMS foot massager can help with plantar fasciitis by improving circulation and reducing inflammation in the plantar fascia, according to many users' reports.

Is the Nooro foot massager FDA approved? ›

It additionally lowers degrees of stress and anxiety and exhaustion. Unlike various other foot massagers, the Nooro foot massager has FDA approval, showing that it works and safe in eliminating foot pain.

Is there any real relief from neuropathy in feet? ›

Regular exercise, such as walking three times a week, can lower neuropathy pain, improve muscle strength and help control blood sugar levels. Gentle routines such as yoga and tai chi also might help. If you have painful neuropathy in your feet, you may want to try pool-based exercise such as swimming. Quit smoking.

What is the number one treatment for neuropathy? ›

The main medicines recommended for neuropathic pain include: amitriptyline – also used for treatment of headaches and depression. duloxetine – also used for treatment of bladder problems and depression. pregabalin and gabapentin – also used to treat epilepsy, headaches or anxiety.

What happens if I massage my feet every day? ›

Regular foot massages can revitalize your body and increase your energy levels. By stimulating specific pressure points in the feet, a foot massage can help balance the body's energy flow. This can lead to increased vitality, better focus, and a general sense of well-being.

What are the disadvantages of foot massage? ›

The most common side effect is pain. This can occur if the pressure is too deep or if the person receiving the treatment is sensitive to touch. Bruising can also occur if the person receiving the treatment has fragile skin.

How often should I massage my feet? ›

Also, massage your entire foot for 10 minutes 2 or 3 times a week to notice improved mood, less anxiety and lower blood pressure. Warning: Most people can benefit from regular foot massage. However, avoid foot massage if there are burns, open or healing wounds on your feet, fractures and severe osteoporosis.

Do foot massagers help neuropathy? ›

There are plenty of foot massagers on the market that can relieve the symptoms of many common ailments, such as plantar fasciitis, foot fatigue, neuropathy, and arthritis.

Are electric foot massagers healthy? ›

Improves Circulation: A 10-minute foot massage on a regular basis with an electric foot messenger can help improve cardiovascular health by increasing blood circulation throughout the body and lessen the workload of circulation on the heart, keeping it strong and healthy.

Can I use a foot massager everyday? ›

Session Length and Frequency

Typical Session: Use the foot massager for 15 to 30 minutes per session. For some people, especially beginners, starting with shorter sessions of about 10-15 minutes can help them get accustomed to the sensation. Daily Use: It's generally safe to use a foot massager once or twice a day.

Are there any side effects of vibrating foot massager? ›

A: While electric massagers are generally safe when used as directed, overuse or improper use can lead to side effects such as bruising, muscle soreness, soft tissue damage, and skin irritation. People with certain health conditions, such as blood clotting disorders, should consult a healthcare provider before use.

What are the side effects of EMS foot massager? ›

Side effects associated with the use of an EMS device are minimal, considering that these machines use safe, low-level pulses of electricity to work. Some side effects can include: Potential skin irritation at the site of application. A worn-out feeling in atrophied muscles (muscles that are not regularly used)

Which electric foot massager is best? ›

More
  • Best Overall: Cloud Massage Shiatsu Foot & Calf Massager » ...
  • Best Budget: TheraFlow Foot Massager » ...
  • Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Miko Foot Massager » ...
  • Best Shiatsu: Best Choice Products Shiatsu Foot Massager » ...
  • Best Heated: Renpho Shiatsu Foot Massager Premium »
Mar 29, 2024

Does the Nooro device really work? ›

Overall, I highly recommend the nooro Portable Knee Massager to anyone seeking relief from tight muscles and minor joint stiffness. Its combination of heat, red light therapy, and massage therapy, coupled with its hands-free design, make it a standout product in its category.

What is the number one neuropathy supplement? ›

N-acetyl cysteine, or NAC, stands out as a supplement for those struggling with neuropathy, mainly due to diabetes. Research highlights its ability to slow down the progression of nerve damage in diabetic patients by reducing oxidative stress and improving liver function.

What's a quick fix for neuropathy? ›

Warm bath. Taking a warm bath can be soothing and can also alleviate pain symptoms from neuropathy. Warm water increases blood circulation throughout the body, decreasing pain symptoms from numbness. In particular, there is research suggesting that taking a warm saltwater bath may be particularly beneficial.

What is the Chinese medicine for neuropathy? ›

We report a more effective treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain using a high dose of a traditional Chinese medicine, aconitum (including both Radix aconite preparata and Radix aconite kusnezoffii), in combination with Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Tang (i.e., astragalus, cassia twig, white peony root, and spatholobi ...

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