Foot Soak and Acupressure
A really deep foot treatment can be very relaxing indeed. All over the skin surface there are acupressure points that link to the whole body, this is why it makes you feel so good. First you give the feet a deep exfoliation, then you follow this with the massage.
Hot Oil Peppermint Foot Soak
You need a plastic bowl large enough to sit both feet in comfortably. You also need a clean jam jar with a screw top lid. First, wash and very finely chop a handful of fresh peppermint leaves. Put these in the jar, pour over 240ml extra virgin olive oil, screw on the lid and shake. Place the jar in a heatproof glass bowl, half-filled with boiling water and leave for at least 15 minutes to warm the oil.
Place the feet in the plastic bowl, sprinkle over 2 tablespoons fine sea salt and pour over the warm peppermint scented oil. While the feet are soaking, rub the salt grains into the skin, covering the whole surface of the feet. The warm olive oil penetrates any cracked skin, while the peppermint is refreshing. After 15 minutes, lift the feet out and wipe them with lots of kitchen roll before wrapping them in a towel. Then move onto the acupressure massage.
The feet are already lubricated by the soak, so there is no need for more oil. Unwrap and work on one foot at a time.
Upper foot surface: using your thumbs, apply 5 lines of individual circular pressure from the base of each toe up towards the ankle. Each individual pressure should be firm for a few seconds, then move up slightly and repeat.
Lower foot surface: Repeat the circular pressure, starting at the base of each toe and pressing down the foot towards the heel.
Stroke the foot all over to finish, working over all the surfaces including the toes. Repeat on the other foot.
It goes without saying that, although any massage treatment can be performed on your own body, it feels much more rewarding to have someone else doing it for you, so encourage your partner to pamper you once in a while (preferably, often).
A really deep foot treatment can be very relaxing indeed. All over the skin surface there are acupressure points that link to the whole body, this is why it makes you feel so good. First you give the feet a deep exfoliation, then you follow this with the massage.
Hot Oil Peppermint Foot Soak
You need a plastic bowl large enough to sit both feet in comfortably. You also need a clean jam jar with a screw top lid. First, wash and very finely chop a handful of fresh peppermint leaves. Put these in the jar, pour over 240ml extra virgin olive oil, screw on the lid and shake. Place the jar in a heatproof glass bowl, half-filled with boiling water and leave for at least 15 minutes to warm the oil.
Place the feet in the plastic bowl, sprinkle over 2 tablespoons fine sea salt and pour over the warm peppermint scented oil. While the feet are soaking, rub the salt grains into the skin, covering the whole surface of the feet. The warm olive oil penetrates any cracked skin, while the peppermint is refreshing. After 15 minutes, lift the feet out and wipe them with lots of kitchen roll before wrapping them in a towel. Then move onto the acupressure massage.
The feet are already lubricated by the soak, so there is no need for more oil. Unwrap and work on one foot at a time.
Upper foot surface: using your thumbs, apply 5 lines of individual circular pressure from the base of each toe up towards the ankle. Each individual pressure should be firm for a few seconds, then move up slightly and repeat.
Lower foot surface: Repeat the circular pressure, starting at the base of each toe and pressing down the foot towards the heel.
Stroke the foot all over to finish, working over all the surfaces including the toes. Repeat on the other foot.
It goes without saying that, although any massage treatment can be performed on your own body, it feels much more rewarding to have someone else doing it for you, so encourage your partner to pamper you once in a while (preferably, often).
posted by Lynne @ 10:05 AM
