As the body's "second heart," the feet serve as a barometer of health, accurately reflecting one's physical condition. Therefore, protecting foot health is crucial, and foot therapy is an excellent wellness practice. Foot therapy comprises two parts: foot baths and foot massage. Below is an introduction to foot bath massage and foot reflexology devices.
Foot therapy procedure:
Before massage, steam or soak feet for about 20 minutes to open pores. Dry feet thoroughly with a warm towel and wrap them. Begin with the left foot, massaging in this order: sole, inner side, outer side, top of foot. Massage duration is typically 30 to 45 minutes.
When is the best time for foot therapy?
Foot therapy is best performed in the evening before bedtime to promote sleep. Avoid foot therapy within 30 minutes before or after meals. Pre-meal therapy may inhibit gastric juice secretion, hindering digestion, while post-meal therapy immediately reduces blood volume in the gastrointestinal tract, affecting digestion.Drink a cup of warm water within 30 minutes after massage to promote qi and blood circulation. Avoid tea, alcohol, or other beverages. TIPS: Foot Bath Formulas For home foot baths, select herbal formulas suited to your needs. Crush herbs, steep in boiling water, then steam the soles for 5 minutes. Add water and soak feet.
Health-Preserving Foot Bath Formula: 15g Angelica sinensis, 20g Astragalus membranaceus, 10g Carthamus tinctorius, 10g Caesalpinia sappan, 10g Artemisia argyi, 10g Rehmannia glutinosa, 10g Sichuan pepper, 15g Pueraria lobata, 6g Asarum sieboldii, 15g Scutellaria baicalensis, 15g Ziziphus jujuba.
Headache Formula: 10g Aconite, 20g Ligusticum, 20g Angelica dahurica, 10g Asarum, 5 scallion whites.
Cough Formula: 10g Ramie, 40 peppercorns, 30g ginger, 30g raw alum.
Hypertension Formula: 15g Apocynum leaf,Eucommia bark 6g, Oyster shell 15g, Polygonum multiflorum stem 10g, Evodia fruit 10g.
Types of Foot Massage Devices
1. Magnetic Stone Type: Primarily involves embedding magnetic stones of varying properties onto a flat panel, creating an uneven surface. This provides natural contour massage and physical radiation therapy to the feet.
2. Bubble-type: Bubble massage primarily manifests in the now widely popular foot bath basins. While soaking feet, machines generate oxygen, using continuously bubbling air to massage the soles.
3. Mechanical-type: Primarily utilizes continuously rotating rollers to provide pure mechanical massage to the feet. Natural and comfortable. No side effects.