Revive Tired Legs and Feet

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Our feet and legs are wondrous appendages. They take us where we want to go; without them, our lives are very limited. But tired feet and tired legs can also be our worst enemies. They can ache like a sore tooth, only worse. They will not let you relax and go to sleep. They take over! It’s impossible to think of much else when tired feet and tired legs are screaming at you. Heavy legs make the days go much longer.

Massaging the Legs

The good news is that you can relieve tired legs by taking the time to massage them frequently. It can also go a long way toward relieving the pain in your legs. These are techniques you can use yourself. However, you may also ask a friend to do these steps.

1. If you truly want to pamper your legs, use a little bit of essential oil or you favorite cream on your hands so they will move over your legs more easily.
2. Starting at the shin and massaging lightly with the index finger and thumb, apply only a little pressure.
3. Move upward, increasing pressure as you go. When you have reached the top, make a circle with your hands around the top of the leg and move downward to the toes. Make your motions fluid. You should push as you move both directions. Repeat three times.
4. Knead the thigh muscles then move downward with the kneading movements. After you have kneaded the inner thigh, move to the outer thigh. Move to the back of the leg and start with the ankle, using the index and middle finger.
5. Knead the calf and work up to the buttocks, increasing the pressure as you reach the larger thigh muscles.
6. Make a circle with your hands and push down the leg and to the toes.
7. Once you have covered one leg with these movements, repeat all the steps on the other leg.
8. Perform all these steps three times on each leg.
9. Cover your legs and relax your body.

Massaging the Feet

Before you begin to massage your own feet, it’s a good idea to relieve your tired feet by soaking them in warm water for ten minutes or so. You may want to pamper your feet by putting a few drops of essential oil or bath salts in the water. Dry them thoroughly before you begin the massage.

1. Use cream or oil on your hands and stroke the top of one foot first, moving toward the ankle.
2. Next move to the sole of the foot, making your massage strokes gentle at first and then increasing pressure.
3. Using gentle circular motions, move your thumb and fingers over the bottom of your feet. You might want to increase the pressure on the heel or ball of your feet. Move from top to bottom and include the sides of the feet.
4. Gently rotate the foot with one hand while you hold it with the other. Begin at the ankle and then move to the ball.
5. Knead the sole with your fingers.
6. Roll your toes between thumb and forefinger, sliding fingers to the ends of the toes.
7. Go over the sole one more time with circular motions.

How often you massage your legs and feet will depend on how much wear and tear they receive in a day’s time, but you can do this as often as every day. It is enlivening and revitalizing and will make your life better!

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