What causes pain when massaging the soles of your feet?

The pain from massaging the soles of your feet makes you feel both painful and loving, and it makes you feel like you are in ecstasy. We all know that there are many nerves in the soles of the feet. The reason for pain when massaging the soles of the feet is that each acupoint has a corresponding radiation area. So, is it better when massaging? In fact, this is not the case. The degree of pain varies depending on each person's physique and the strength of the massage.

Myth 1: The more force, the better

Many people think that the heavier the foot massage, the better, and often ask the masseur to press harder during the foot massage. However, they do not know that massaging too hard will not be worth the effort.

Moderate foot massage can prolong life and is good for health, but everything should be done in moderation. Too much is as bad as too little. Foot massage is mainly divided into two parts. The first is foot soaking, that is, foot bath, and then foot massage. Foot massage takes up the most time in the foot therapy process and is the most effective. Among them, the magnitude of the force is an important factor in achieving therapeutic effects. If the force is too small, there will be no effect, otherwise it will be unbearable. When it comes to foot massage, it is better to control the strength until it is comfortable. Healthy people have a stronger tolerance for pain, while very weak people have a weaker tolerance for pain. Therefore, people with low pain tolerance should use moderate and even force within the range that the body can withstand. The so-called moderation means that the massaged area feels sore, that is, the principle of "getting qi". The so-called evenness means that the massage force should penetrate gradually, lift slowly, and have a certain rhythm. It should not be fast or slow, light or heavy at times.

Myth 2: Foot massage is not necessarily more beneficial the more painful it is

When people receive a foot massage, they often only focus on the sore areas because they hold the idea that "the more painful the better". In foot massage parlors, it is common to see customers grimacing in pain and sweating profusely, but still holding on to towels tightly to endure the pain. In fact, blindly pursuing the feeling of "pain" during foot massage will do more harm than good to the discovery and treatment of diseases. On the one hand, the corresponding reaction areas of the feet of some patients with chronic diseases are not only not sensitive to stimulation, but may also experience nerve numbness. When nerve numbness occurs, the condition of the corresponding organ may already be quite serious, but blindly pursuing pain can easily cause people to ignore the numb area. On the other hand, heavy and slow massage methods, called purgation, are only applicable when a person has sufficient positive energy. Otherwise, light and fast tonification methods should be used. Especially for the elderly, women and children, who lack vital energy, the use of purgation will aggravate the symptoms and make their physical strength even weaker. Therefore, during the foot massage, if the person being massaged feels sore, swollen, painful, or frowns, it means that the massage intensity is sufficient.

Myth 3: You can do it yourself

For the sake of convenience and hygiene, many people choose to do foot massage at home or use a foot bath for massage. However, foot massage is not just a general touch. Only by massaging the corresponding reflex areas with a certain force can the effect be achieved, and only professionals can find the correct acupoints. Therefore, it is not recommended to perform foot massage at home.

If you want to do foot massage at home, you might as well simply buy a wooden barrel and soak your feet before going to bed. You can choose a large, high and deep wooden barrel so that your calves can be completely immersed in the water when soaking your feet, which is more comfortable. If you soak your feet every day, you can improve blood circulation and metabolism, eliminate fatigue and improve sleep. In addition, it has a series of health care functions such as health and beauty, brain care, and blood circulation. If conditions permit, you can lay some pebbles on the balcony and walk on them barefoot frequently, which can also have a similar effect to foot massage.

Myth 4: Foot therapy is suitable for everyone

Foot massage therapy is a non-drug therapy that adjusts the body's physiological functions by stimulating the various reflex zones of the feet, thereby improving the body's immune function and preventing and treating diseases. However, foot massage is not suitable for everyone.

It is best for women not to massage during menstruation. People with bleeding tendency may cause local bleeding in tissues during foot massage. When massaging, you should avoid bony protrusions and reflex areas with less subcutaneous tissue to avoid squeezing the periosteum and causing unnecessary damage. In addition, people with high blood pressure, heart disease, and pregnant women should not undergo foot massage to prevent accidents, especially pregnant women, as improper massage may cause miscarriage.

In addition, please note that it is best not to have a foot massage within 1 hour after a meal. Half an hour after massage, you should drink 300 to 500 ml of warm water. When massaging, do not expose your legs to direct wind. After the massage, do not wash your feet with cold water immediately.