P. Sze 
Foot massage ball – why use it?
1. It reduces foot pain
Flat feet often cause mild to more severe pain due to prolonged physical activity. Even standing can be painful for these people. Plantar fasciitis is another common cause of foot pain. It can be caused by inflammation or even deterioration of the plantar fascia. Whether it is flat feet or plantar fascia, it is good to know that there is a cure for the pain.
Foot exercises and foot massage can have a significant impact on foot pain. Not only can these techniques relieve pain, but it can also cure it. Besides, reflexology will help foot pain, as well. Applying firm pressure to the arch of the foot should do the trick. But if that is not enough, I would also recommend stimulating the pressure point on the ball of the foot as well.
2. It relieves headaches and migraines
3. It boosts the blood flow
Improved blood flow is probably one of the best well-known benefits of massage in general. A simple 10-20-minute session with your foot massage ball can help improve the blood flow in your legs and feet. This will cause additional beneficial effects.
4. It reduces back pain
If you are experiencing lower back pain, like me, I am happy to tell you all about how I manage it. This mostly involves me using a foot massage ball. There are many foot acupressure points for back pain, and I recommend stimulating all of them.
The soles of the feet, as well as the area around your heels, is where the majority of the feet pressure points for lower back pain, are located. For neck pain, try stimulating the points located on the inside edge of the foot. And if it is sciatica that is causing you pain, then definitely stimulate the area around 5 centimeters above the ankle bone.
5. It relieves diabetes symptoms
Related Reading: 3 Acupressure Points For Pancreas That Any Diabetic Patient Must Know
6. It helps lower the blood pressure
High blood pressure has been linked to a long list of health issues. It should, in no way, be tolerated. While taking proper medications is the most common approach, other alternative approaches can be considered as well. Getting a foot massage to lower blood pressure is one of the preferred methods.
Science suggests that an aromatherapy foot massage session is an easy and effective way to normalize high blood pressure. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with high blood pressure, I have the perfect gift. An easy to use foot massage ball that will help bring your blood pressure down.
7. It relieves depression and anxiety symptoms
In an older study, researchers explained how the regular use of foot reflexology has helped reduce the anxiety symptoms in cancer patients. Knowing this, I highly recommend investing in a quality massage ball that you can use to practice foot reflexology from the comfort of your own home.
8. It reduces edema in the foot
Do you struggle with swollen feet? Perhaps you will be interested in trying acupuncture for edema in feet? Or maybe something less invasive such as light foot massage using a massage ball? A nice, relaxing foot massage will help move out the extra fluid from this area, which is the reason behind your swollen feet. Maybe this can become a part of your after-work routine where you massage your feet gently to help relax them and yourself.
9. It helps reduce shoulder pain
You can also use foot reflexology for shoulder pain. The Chinese reflexology shoulder point is located just below the pinky toe. It is easily stimulated with the use of a massage ball. Using firm pressure, move the ball doing up and down moves. Simultaneously, gently roll your shoulders. Spend about one minute per foot to stimulate both shoulders equally. These movements are designed to help improve the blood flow to the shoulders, thus reducing pain.
10. It relieves gout symptoms
Gout causes uncomfortable and painful symptoms. While the overall lifestyle changes are the ones that will improve the patient’s condition, foot reflexology can help as well. In this case, a foot massage ball can be used in between attacks to stimulate certain parts of the foot that will relieve pain.
So, is foot massage good for gout, you ask? The answer is that it is perfect and much needed. When done properly, foot massage can help reduce inflammation and the flushing out of the toxins and excess uric acid crystals that would otherwise build up on the joint of the big toe. The best pressure point here is the LV3 (Tai Chong). You will find this point located on the top of the foot, between the bones that attach to the ones of the big toe and the second toe.
11. It helps against gas and bloating in babies
Babies are often cranky because they are experiencing gas and bloating. These symptoms can be uncomfortable for anyone. But they can also be easily solved by applying baby foot reflexology for gas. The baby foot massage for wind includes the stimulation of the area between the middle of the foot and the pad, as well as the middle of the foot and the heel. It may be tricky to use a foot massage ball, especially with newborns, but it is a perfect way to apply foot reflexology at older babies and young children.
12. It heals sore throat
Looking at a chart for foot reflexology points, you can see that there are even foot pressure points for sore throat. If you want to get rid of a sore throat fast, do use your foot massage ball to stimulate the throat point. You will locate the throat point at the tip of the webbing between the big toe and the second toe. Stimulate this pressure point for around 30 seconds, four times a day, and feel the relief.
13. It can help treat infertility
Nowadays, I often see more and more cases of both male and female infertility. There are a lot of factors, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), that contribute to the infertility rates. If you too are struggling with infertility issues, then you should know about the link between foot reflexology and fertility.
Foot reflexology is suggested to help improve fertility rates. Research published in Trials confirmed that foot reflexology is beneficial for those struggling with PCOS. Researchers are suggesting many ways that could explain this link. As I mentioned, foot reflexology can help reduce anxiety levels. Anxiety is a huge factor that contributes to infertility, and so does high blood pressure and imbalance in the body’s QI.
14. It improves PMS symptoms and menstrual cramps
A 2010 study found reflexology to be a more effective treatment method than the standard use of ibuprofen. Simply use your massage ball to stimulate the outer and inner area of the heel. Relief will be experienced in just a few short seconds. Massage your toes as well, as they also represent the acupoints for the overall endocrine system. Because there are so many small, yet essential acupoints here, do reference a foot reflexology pressure point chart. For the best effects, you can practice foot massage a couple of times a week, before, during, and after your period.
15. It promotes labor
Did you know that foot reflexology starts labor? By stimulating the BL60 (Kunlun) acupoint, one can efficiently promote labor. This acupoint is easily located. It is found in the area between the ankle and the Achilles tendon. Another famous foot acupoint is the BL67 (Zhiyin), located on the outside of the pinky toe. This acupoint is also suggested to stimulate uterine contractions, and that promote labor.
Pregnant women can use a massage ball to stimulate these acupoints and promote labor as they come closer to their due date. Their stimulation can also help ease labor pain. It is highly recommended that you use a foot massage ball for an easy stimulation of the BL60 and BL67. There are quite a few pregnant friends of mine that I have gifted a foot massage ball just for this purpose!
How to use a foot massage ball?
After you have chosen your preferred foot massage ball, the next step would be to get a Chinese foot organ map. This map will reveal all of the vital pressure points on foot to relieve pain, PMS symptoms, or improve reverse infertility. It is important to locate the exact pressure points that will help you treat the health issue that you have been experiencing. From there on, things are relatively easy and straightforward.
Place the massage ball on the floor and use your body weight to apply pressure to the chosen pressure point. Do up and down and/or circular moves to stimulate those pressure points. Before you know it, you will be practicing traditional Chinese medicine foot reflexology from the comfort of your own home. Trust me when I say that this is one of the better decisions that I have made for myself.Since first discovering the foot massage ball benefits, I have invested in quite a few foot massage balls. One of the earliest finds was the Spara Podiatry Massage ball, which is basically a nice, smooth little ball. It is perfect for relieving chronic foot pain, among providing additional foot massage ball benefits. It has even been approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) and used by physical therapists all around the world. It is perfect for beginners.
For those of you interested in trying a spiky ball instead, I highly recommend purchasing the Pasnity Foot Massage Spiky Ball. It is a set that comes with two spiky balls and a spiky roller. And for anyone who wants to kick things up a notch, I recommend the LYAPKO Acupuncture Hand/Foot Massage Ball. This one comes with 656 needles to deliver an even better experience. Not to worry, it is entirely risk-free, and I happen to enjoy using it. For anyone who wants to gain the foot massage ball benefits, these are some great choices to start you off.
Conclusion
From all foot reflexology products, the foot massage ball is my favorite. Everyone, even your baby, can benefit from a quick foot reflexology session. You can use a nice foot rub to relieve headache and even stimulate specific pressure points in the foot for back pain. A Chinese foot pain chart will tell you exactly which pressure point you should stimulate to relieve pain.
And if you are wondering whether or not is foot reflexology painful, do not worry. It all depends on the pressure that you or the practitioner decide to apply. You are always in control. But you have to understand that sometimes, a bigger pressure equals a better stimulation of the chosen pressure points.
Related Reading
- How to Massage A Bunion?
- Learn Baby’s Reflexology For Sleep To Save Parent Lots Of Time
- Does Acupuncture Work For Sciatic Nerve Pain? This Is What I Learn From A Licensed Acupuncturist
Photo by Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash, Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels
Try our Anti-Aging Gua Sha Tool designed to bring out your skin’s natural glow.
Best Gua Sha Product- Anti-Aging: The tool is designed to target 11 specific aging signs such as wrinkles and sagging skin. By following the 7-step routine, users can improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines naturally.
- Enhances Skincare Routine: It works effectively with serums and lotions, boosting absorption and efficacy of skincare products.
- Visible Skin Improvement: Users can expect a smoother complexion, reduced puffiness, and a more youthful appearance.
