After a long day standing, walking, carrying . . . there isn’t much that feels better than getting a foot massage. And giving your spouse or partner a foot massage is a wonderful gift for a special occasion, or just to help them relax at the end of the day. Pregnant women especially appreciate and even need a good foot massage from time to time.
Giving a foot massage is not difficult, and can be learned easily.
You'll need a massage cream or massage oil. If you don't have either, you can use any good moisturizer or a vegetable oil (stay about from olive oil – it doesn't absorb into the skin and leaves a sticky feeling later).
Have them put their feet up, and sit or stand so their feet are at the height of your chest. Make sure to keep your touch firm – a lighter touch is more likely to tickle.
Start by rubbing the cream or oil all over the foot.
Wrap your hands around the ball of the foot, pressing into the ball gently with your thumbs. Pull your hands down, squeezing the foot gently. Repeat this 2 or 3 times.
Now take your thumbs and make small circling motions up and down the bottom of the foot. Make sure to press firmly, especially at the arch of the foot, to avoid tickling.
Using the tips of your fingers, rub around the ankles and heel, circle the ankle, do not massage the ankle bone directly. Move your fingers quickly, to create a light friction and warm the muscles and tendons.
Gently massage each toe.
With your thumbs or finger tips massage the top of the foot, in the spaces between the foot bones. Do not massage directly over the foot bones.
Run your hands over the whole foot, just like when you started, and use a towel to wipe off any excess cream or oil.
Repeat on the other foot, and you will have made your spouse or partner’s night.
