The total body experience from a hands and feet massage
If you’re a New Yorker one thing is for certain, you spend a lot of time on your feet which means they take quite a beating. With the on the go fast pace the city promises you also probably spend a lot of time in shoes that are restrictive and uncomfortable. If you’re like most of the general population you also spend a lot of time typing or texting on your phone leading to cramping and pain in your hands. Just like with any other part of your body overuse of your hands and feet leads to tension knots, muscle aches, cramping, pain or worse yet injury. A good hands and feet massage can be just the soothing touch that you need to feel brand new again!
Interestingly your hands and feet each contain nine pressure points (also known as trigger points) with each one linked to a different region of the body. By applying pressure to each of these points on your hands and feet you’re able to address pain, stress and anxiety that resides in your hands and feet, but also in the rest of your body too! Common areas include your stomach, head, jaw, sinuses, back and neck. Recent studies have even proven it effective with reducing chronic pain in ICU and post-operative patients. Now your trigger point massage isn’t just about having happy hands and feet, it’s about cultivating a state of total body relaxation and overall well-being.
Hands and feet massage goes beyond pain management
This reflexology approach to hands and feet massage releases feel-good hormones in the brain known as serotonin and melatonin, which helps with more than just pain. Here are 4 other benefits of hands and feet massage that you may not know about:
- Helps sleep sufferers with insomnia finally get the restfulness their body needs. Foot massages have been shown to help induce sleep and improve sleep quality by shutting off your body’s flight or flight response to stress allowing for relaxation on a systemic level. Improved sleep quality is important to support healthy brain function and physical health. Read more about how a relaxation massage can relieve stress.
- Removes toxins from the body by applying pressure to specific points on the hands and feet. This promotes increased blood flow to the whole body aiding in lymphatic drainage. This is vital for bringing your body back to a state of homeostasis where your energy levels are restored and your body feels rejuvenated. Detox symptoms can include dizziness, moodiness, fatigue, temporary rash, increased urination or bowl movements and lightheadedness.
- Reduces anxiety and depression in the body through the power of human touch which lowers blood pressure, reduces cortisol levels, boosts circulation and triggers the release of the “love hormone” oxytocin and serotonin.
- Stimulates better digestion by reducing the stress hormone cortisol, which leads to excessive stress and digestion issues. Applying pressure to certain pressure points on your hands and feet is said to correspond with your digestive organs, which can also help with better digestive functioning.
The healing effect on menstrual cramps
Studies reveal that 1 and 4 women experience menstrual pain that is so severe that over-the-counter medication is needed. Fortunately, hand and foot massage is a better treatment option that is proven to be more effective! By applying pressure to certain trigger points in the hand and foot that correspond with a woman’s reproductive organs, massage is able to promote better blood flow to these areas. This helps reduce inflammation that causes bloating and cramping. This type of trigger point massage can finally give you the relief you’re after without the need for pain meds or bed rest. You shouldn’t have to alter your life around your period and now you don’t have to.
Pressure points for foot massage
There are 9 unique pressure points on your foot. Applying pressure to these points is believed to reduce pain and enhance overall health. This practice is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and scientific evidence supporting the specific health benefits from these pressure points is limited. Below is a list of these different points and the areas of the body they are believed to effect:
- Top of the foot between the big toe and second toe. Pressure here can help with easing migraines and headaches as well as low back pain and stress.
- Inner sole on the medial side of the big toe. Pressure here is believed to help with digestive issues.
- Inside of the ankle between the ankle bone and Achilles tendon. This point is used for low back pain, coughing, wheezing, insomnia, and frequent urination.
- The corner of the big toe is beneficial for reproductive system problems. It helps with irregular menstrual cycles by regulating the smooth flow of Qi (energy) and blood throughout the body.
- Sole below the ball of the foot is used to treat headaches, blurred vision and vertigo, sore throat and loss of voice.
- Just above the ankle on the inner side. Pressure here is thought to help with the natural development of the fetus in pregnancy.
- Above the ankle on the inner side. Helps with pain management from menstruation. It is also a point used to help with relieving pain during labor. Learn more about the benefits of a massage during pregnancy.
- Positioned on the top of the foot, between the first and second toes. Used to treat painful swelling and reddening of the eyes as well as sore throat and headaches.
- Outside of the ankle. This spot is associated with treating migraine headaches, toothaches and other types of pain.
Pressure points for hand massage
There are 8 unique pressure points on your hand. Applying pressure to these points is believed to help with pain relief, stress reduction and improved circulation. This form of alternative therapy has been utilized for centuries and is rooted in traditional medicine. However, it’s important to note that the scientific evidence supporting the specific health benefits from pressure point hand massage is limited. Below is a list of these different points and the areas of the body they are believed to effect:
- Center of the palm. This acupressure point helps with easing anxiety and stimulating the release of endorphins. It is also thought to promote heart health.
- Between the thumb and index finger. Helps with a range of issues in the face including toothache, jaw ache, allergies, hay fever and headaches.
- Between the index finger and thumb. This point is thought to help reduce stress and anxiety as well as help with symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, or other respiratory disorders.
- Inner wrist. Thought to help relieve wrist pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, headache, chest pain, and nausea/vomiting.
- Inner forearm. This area might help relieve motion sickness.
- Back of the hand between the thumb and index finger. Firm pressure here can help eliminate digestive issues.
- Back of the hand, in line with the pinky finger. Pressure here can help relieve pain and discomfort, including headaches, earaches, neck pain, and upper back pain.
- At the center of the palm, just below the ring finger. This point is thought to help with heart health and with clearing the mind.
Booking a hand or foot massage in NYC
At Leading Edge we understand how unforgiving NYC streets are on your feet and the wear and tear desk life takes on your hands. We have just the care you need to treat your tired hands and feet with our in-home massage and stretch therapy service.
All of our massage techniques can be tailored to your specific needs and applied to your hands and feet. Call or email us to book your in-home hands and foot massage and let us help you get back on your feet again.
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