The Healing Benefits Of Foot Massage Therapy

Getting foot massage therapy will not perform medical miracles. It does, however, have healing benefits to certain ailments and diseases.

Cancer

Aside from helping people relax, a massage of ten minutes, five on each foot, is believed to relieve cancer patients from nausea and pain. According to the Indian Journal of Palliative Care, these ten minute massages were given to eighty seven people struggling with this disease. The result was astounding. All of them, one hundred percent of participants, had a reduction of pain almost instantly. They felt much more relaxed and their nausea dropped greatly.

A good old rub on the foot may not cure cancer, but it sure can make undergoing the treatment much more bearable.

Post Op Pain

After being cut open, no matter what part of the body, experiencing pain is a given. Just because the surgery is finished does not mean that the pain will stop too. It is a good thing there are certain ways to alleviate the pain, such as foot massage therapy. The National Institute of Health conducted a study where foot massages were given to eighteen patients after they had come from the operating room. The ten minute rub did not lower their blood pressure or help their heart rate in anyway. It did however give a significant reduction of pain.

Foot Ulcers

This is probably where this type of massage therapy is the most effective because it is done directly on the problem area. The massage will help increase the blood flowing around any type of ulcer which will be good for circulation. This will not only keep the blood flowing to the tissue but the oxygen as well. So, even some of the worst kind of ulcers, like the diabetic kind, will benefit from a simple foot rub.

Cardiac Surgery

Not only do foot massages relive post op pain but can also generate a greater feeling of well being. After having cardiac surgery, getting a massage to the feet will help the patient relax and overcome any anxiety he or she may be facing. Based on a study done by the US National Library of Medicine, twenty five patients proved that they were in a better place psychologically because of this kind of therapy.

Foot massage therapy surely is not a cure for any of the diseases or ailments mentioned above. It will, however, ease the pain and suffering that those illnesses or problems may bring.