The Top Medical Benefits Of A Foot Massage

We all know that nothing beats putting your feet up and giving them a good old rub after a long day’s work.  But there is much more to getting a foot massage than just easing away the pain.  So take a look at the top medical benefits of a foot massage.  If done properly, you too can take full advantage of these.

Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Foot massage and reflexology can actually be used on patients who suffer from diabetic foot ulcers.  Studies have shown that this paired with the proper medication, this kind of therapy can actually be used to speed up the healing process.  Basically, what this does is that it improves the overall circulation and may very well be used as a supplement for other diabetic foot ulcer treatment.

Artery Disease

Acupressure has been shown to have positive effects on people who suffer from peripheral arterial occlusive disease.  Peripheral artery disease, put simply, is pretty much when the arteries get harder and narrower.  This then causes problems with blood flow by decreasing it altogether. 

When dealing with the occlusive kind, this basically means that there is decreased blood flow in the lower legs reaching down to the feet depending on how serious the case is.  As mentioned earlier, acupressure is actually used to improve circulation, hence, increase the blood flow once again.

Cancer

Believe it or not but acupressure, massage, and reflexology actually help cancer patients.  Now, this is obviously no cure, but it does make dealing with the symptoms and side effects much more manageable.  Studies have shown that patients who use these methods have lower anxiety levels, lower pain intensity, and even less nausea than those who do not opt for this kind of therapy.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is actually quite common among Americans as they get older.  Based on research done by the American Heart Association, one out of three adults has high blood pressure.  Now, reflexology is no cure either, however, studies have shown that some of the advantages of having this treatment is that although it does not lower the diastolic number, it does lower the systolic blook pressure significantly. 

Post-Op

Reflexology and acupressure are great for people who have come out of an operation of sorts.  This kind of therapy is supposed to help the patients deal with pain that they may experience after surgery.  Paired with proper medication, aside from decreasing the physical pain, studies show that it also leads to a decreased heart and respiratory rate.

And So…

These are the top medical benefits of a foot massage.  You must remember though that this kind of therapy is not a cure.  So do not expect a miracle.  You cannot rub your disease away. 

However, acupressure and reflexology do help the people who suffer from these terrible diseases listed above by making the pain, nausea, and other side effects and symptoms much more bearable.  This actually even increases their overall life satisfaction to some degree.

A foot and calf massager is a great way to get a foot massage in your own home as often as you like. In fact many people use these machines to get circulation back into their lower legs and feet. They are great for diabetics who also have poor circulation to the extremities. A popular massaging machine at the moment is the Life Power Foot Ankle Leg Knee Massager With Heat Therapy. Check it out if you want to enjoy a foot and lower leg massage.