Our feet are probably the most used part of our body every single day. We put pressure on them during walking, running and managing our day-to-day activities, so it is natural that this body part is most likely to get injured or feel numbness and pain.
The catch? The feet are connected to our other parts of the body via our nervous system; hence, having sore feet will also affect the whole body.
You don’t need to wait for an injury before you can give your feet some tender loving care.
While a foot spa is never a substitute for professional medical advice, they can definitely be effective in alleviating pain or supplementing medical therapies as advised by your doctor or healthcare professional.
They can give immediate wonders to your tired and sore feet and leave you feeling rejuvenated, relaxed and refreshed.
Traditional foot spa
There is nothing more relaxing than dipping your feet into nice warm water after a long day. You can have a professional foot spa take care of your feet or you can do a simple and cheap yet effective method to relax your body and mind.
If you are on a tight budget, you can make your DIY home foot spa and get almost the same benefits as that of a professional foot spa. If you don’t mind a lot of work and creativity in resources, then a traditional home foot spa will do you just fine.
To make a basic home foot spa, you will need to soak your feet in warm water or in a tub for about 15 to 20 minutes.
To make the sensation pleasurable, you can include essential oils like lavender oil which helps in unwinding, or lemon oil which helps in revitalizing. You can also choose to add some rock salt or the goodness of nature such as milk, buttermilk or fruits.
Bask in the luxury of the water around your feet, then remove your feet from the water and dry them with a clean and fresh towel. Afterward, scrub out the dead skin, especially on the heels, soles and gaps between your toes. Wash them off with water then dry your feet.
Complete with moisturizing your skin with either olive oil or almond oil to make your skin feel and look as supple as possible. While you’re doing this, stimulate your nerve endings and improve blood circulation by giving little massages in between.
Professional foot spa
If you don’t have the time and resources to do your own home foot spa, then you can go to your nearby brick and mortar stores or go online to check on the different types and brands of foot spa machines that are perfect for your need. In order to get a good product, here are some of the features you should consider:
- Size – It should fit comfortably to the size of your feet
- Functions – Some of the basic ones you will see in a typical foot spa machine are vibration, bubble effect, heating therapy, kneading massage located at the reflexology regions, and vibration levels
- Option to use with salts – Some will require the use of salts while others don’t
Since typical foot spa machines provide different intensities of speed or vibration, you can choose the level comfortable to you. In just a few minutes, you can sit back and enjoy the kneading sensation on your tight muscles.
The bubbles help in providing you with a deeper massaging for softer feet while the vibration releases the stiffness of the pressure point-generating areas. These foot spa machines are also portable so you can carry them around on long vacations when you want to include pampering your feet in your itinerary.
An optional feature that is nice to have is a removable pumice stone that helps in removing dead skin at your footpads and heels. A foot spa machine with a cover is also a nice feature that eliminates water splashing so you won’t need to wipe the floor after each session. Other nice features include a digital LED display and a built-in timer.
Benefits of getting a professional foot spa
If you’ve already tried making a DIY home foot spa, then you have probably experienced soaking your feet in water too hot for your feet’s liking. With a professional foot spa machine, your feet will enjoy a temperature appropriate for the skin. You can sit back, relax and let the machine do the job.
When your feet are submerged in hot water, your blood flows better to your brain and organs. Blocked nerve endings and pathways result in the body being prone to lethargy and fatigue. A professional foot spa targets the reflexology regions and releases the energy blockages so you can get your blood flowing smoothly back through your body.
In addition to giving you utter relaxation, it also helps to decrease mild depression and improve negative energies like anger, tension, and anxiety – ultimately resulting in a positive mind and body. If you are revitalized, your mind is strengthened as well as your immune system, and stress will stop causing adverse effects to your health.
Considering these wonderful benefits, it is worthwhile to invest in a professional foot spa that you can use in the comfort of your own home after every tiring day.
When to not use a foot spa machine
A footbath is unfortunately not for everyone. If you’re suffering from a severe vascular disease of the feet and legs or if you have arteriosclerosis or insulin-dependent diabetes, you should stay away from these devices.
Moreover, if you have a frostbite, it is recommended that you do not use hot footbaths.
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- professional foot spa
- spa professional
My wife was talking about how she would love to visit a foot spa, so I wanted to look into it. It helped a lot when you mentioned how having your feet in the water and a professional to massage them can help you relax your body and mind. I understand that taking the time to do some research and compare several foot spas can help you find the most sanitary one that can offer the type of services you need.