Alluring benefits of hands and feet massage

hands and feet massage

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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. 
  3. 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.
  4. 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:

Pressure point foot massage

  1. 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.
  2. Inner sole on the medial side of the big toe. Pressure here is believed to help with digestive issues. 
  3. 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. 
  4. 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.
  5. Sole below the ball of the foot is used to treat headaches, blurred vision and vertigo, sore throat and loss of voice. 
  6. Just above the ankle on the inner side. Pressure here is thought to help with the natural development of the fetus in pregnancy.
  7. 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.
  8. 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. 
  9. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. Between the thumb and index finger. Helps with a range of issues in the face including toothache, jaw ache, allergies, hay fever and headaches.
  3. 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.
  4. Inner wrist. Thought to help relieve wrist pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, headache, chest pain, and nausea/vomiting.
  5. Inner forearm. This area might help relieve motion sickness. 
  6. Back of the hand between the thumb and index finger. Firm pressure here can help eliminate digestive issues.
  7. 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. 
  8. 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. 

Explore various types of massages offered at Leading Edge

types of massage

Why a massage is just what you need

Whether you’re a NYC dweller or an out of town visitor you’re all too familiar with the anxious energy that co-exists with the vibrancy this city offers. The fast pace can quickly weigh on you leaving your body feeling stressed and depleted. The types of massages offered at Leading Edge bring a renewed sense of peace and calm to your day that you so desperately crave while helping you restore a feeling of homeostasis in your body. 

If you’re experiencing pain or tension that needs to be resolved or you’re just simply looking to de-stress and be pampered you’ve come to the right place. Our uniquely crafted blend of massage and stretch therapy will put you on the path to healing and self-discovery bringing you an increased feeling of relief and satisfaction. 

Explore our most popular massage types

At Leading Edge we offer a variety of massage techniques that we combine with our assisted stretching to appeal to everyone’s needs and preferences. It’s important to note that every massage style can also be personalized by adjusting the intensity to your liking so you can’t go wrong with your selection. However, here are some of our more popular massage techniques:

Pressure Point Massage is also known as a trigger point massage and involves applying pressure to various pressure points on the body to stimulate healing energy and promote relaxation in the region of the body each point corresponds to. This concept of each pressure point connecting to different organs and areas of the body is the practice of reflexology. Pressure points are specific areas on the body that are known to be sensitive to the touch and when pressure is applied to these areas, it can help release tension, stimulate circulation and decrease pain. This type of massage can be particularly helpful for relieving pain from chronic headaches, sciatica, menstrual  cramps and even labor pain before birth. It’s also beneficial for posture, promoting better sleep, increasing energy and improving mobility and flexibility.

type of massage

Deep Tissue Massage is a type of massage often used to treat musculoskeletal pain-points in the body including muscle spasms or knots and chronic pain from osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia or carpel tunnel. It is also used for improving mobility and tightness in the body. It involves applying sustained pressure with the hands, arms or elbows using slow deep strokes. It’s a more intense form of massage because firm pressure is required to reach the deeper layers of muscle and fascia.

Swedish Massage is very popular for promoting relaxation, improving circulation and relieving stress that can manifest in the body through depression and anxiety, headaches, muscle tension and cramping. It involves using light and gentle circular strokes, kneading and tapping for a soothing and calming experience. 

Myofascial Massage focuses on the connective tissue known as fascia, which surrounds the muscles, bones and organs. It helps with your body’s natural recovery process by stretching and manipulating the fascia. It’s great for treating chronic pain, improving circulation and managing stress in the body. It involves applying firm pressure by hand to myofascial areas on the body that are tight and stiff to the touch to improve elasticity. 

Other types of massages we offer

If you are a woman who is pregnant or looking to become pregnant you would benefit from our Pre and Postnatal Massage.  This therapeutic massage is designed to support women during and after pregnancy by providing relaxation, reducing stress and managing pain. It can also help with the physical and emotional changes associated with pregnancy and child birth creating a better bonding experience between mother and baby. Recent studies have also linked prenatal massage to shorter labors and a better birthing experience. 

If you are an athlete or you participate in regular physical activity we recommend you try our Sports Massage. It helps with muscle repair and recovery, injury rehab and prevention and better athletic performance. This technique uses stretching and deep tissue work that involves kneading. It is most comparable to a deep tissue massage. 

Choosing the best type of massage for you

With so many types of massages it can be hard to decipher which massage type is right for you. This is where consulting with our licensed massage therapists comes in handy. You can convey your needs and desired outcome and our trained and licensed masseuse can help guide you towards the right choice for you! You can also personalize each massage to your liking by communicating with your masseuse before and during the session the exact level of tension you need and any areas you would like us to focus on.

Looking for types of massages not currently listed on our site? Be sure to inquire with us to see if we can accommodate what you are looking for. There are many other slight variations beyond the ones we’ve listed that our masseuse is trained to do. With our massage therapists’ trained eye and professionalism we always aim to exceed your expectations so that you’ll want to tell all your friends about us! 

How NYC at-home massage therapy works

At Leading Edge we understand how stressful it can be getting around NYC’s crowded streets and the last thing we want is for you to arrive to your massage appointment late and feeling tense and overwhelmed. With our mobile service, we take all that stress away by allowing you to relax in the comfort of being in your own home. 

Once you’ve booked your appointment with us your work is done. We take care of everything else. Our licensed and professional massage therapist will arrive at your home 5-10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment so he has time to greet you, set-up, answer any health related questions he has for you and assess your needs and expectations. We will take care of all the supplies including linens, oils and lotions and even a massage table if requested prior. You then get to forget about time and stress and for the next 60 minutes get swept away into a state of bliss melting away all your pain and discomfort.

When your session is complete you’ll immediately feel lighter and calmer and wonder why you hadn’t done this sooner.  Our payment – process is quite simple. Following your session you’ll receive a link for easy check-out where you can pay with a credit or debit card. You’ll also have the option when booking to sign-up for our monthly discounted membership program. 

To not take away from your experience we encourage you to silence your cell phone during your massage. This will help free you from distractions. We also encourage you to wear loose fitting comfortable clothing.

Following your session we will reach out to you to make sure we exceeded your expectations and to schedule your next appointment if desired. 

Want to explore the different types of massages we offer! And book an appointment? Contact us so we can get you feeling so much better!Â