by Susan Kent

Enjoyfeet massage is a seated massage technique using just feet to give full body massage. This technique requires no special equipment. All traditional massage strokes can be used, however some have been slightly adapted as the foot has no equivalent thumb and forefinger movement.

A Brief History

I started massage six years ago. I have, as a result of the Thalidomide drug an upper limb disability with arms 8” long and only 7 fingers. This restriction means that I am only able to use my feet in massage. I started with back walking and as I became more proficient I wanted to enhance my basic skills and researched the use of feet to massage. It is not unusual in massage to use various parts of the body to assist the massage therapist in their work.

Elbows are used to give pressure point muscular relief and forearms to give a wider spread of pressure to a greater area. These techniques are an additional benefit to the therapist but still require upper body strength and effort.
Whilst some massage use feet; for example back walking, Chavutti-Thirmul and ashiatsu massage, they can involve balance and suspension and some upper body use. There did not seem to be any simple system available using just the feet, so I approached one of Wales's top body massage therapists to work with me to develop different techniques for total body massage. This technique has enabled me to qualify and practice as a professional body massage therapist.

It has been so successful that I have produced a DVD illustrating the basic techniques and now run workshops for those wanting to develop these skills on a professional level.

Foot Massage

Healthy trained feet are as sensitive as hands for the purpose of massage. Using feet in massage is very simple and easy, the basic strokes do not require much dexterity of the toes, just flexibility in the hip, knees and ankles. In general the receiver lies on a mat on the floor and depending on what area of the body is to be massaged; a chair is placed in the relevant position.

To give a massage with the feet that will not place strain on the therapist it is important to get the seat and the seating position correct. A chair with some padding is ideal, otherwise the therapist might experience discomfort in the buttock area. In order for the chair to fit comfortably over the receiver a chair with no side leg cross bars is required. A stool eg: piano stool is adequate to use and gives more space for the receiver but a chair gives back support for the therapist and does not put so much strain on the stomach and the quadriceps muscles. The height of the chair in relation to the height of the mat and the variables in leg length will affect the comfort of the massage therapist.

In order to give a complete body massage it is necessary to move around the receiver. I work with four chairs, one at the head, two at the sides of the body. For back massage a chair is placed over the receiver once he or she is in position. The chair can be positioned over the body to suit most body lengths. To carry out massage by feet at home one chair is adequate.

The massage advantages of a being seated on a chair over the receiver are that the strength of the whole body can be used for clients wishing a deep tissue massage and the central position it provides over the body.

The therapist can make a direct comparison of the muscles either side of the body and these muscles can be worked on simultaneously. When an assessment of the body has been made there is nothing to prevent the therapist moving to a side chair or on to the floor to work, I recommend using a cushion on the floor to prevent strain to the therapist. Massage routines should combine a flowing sequence with the efficiency of position and movement for the therapist and maximum benefit for the receiver.

The therapist's posture and body position is important as there can be a tendency for the therapist to lose pressure at the top of the stroke as the legs extend, this can be overcome by moving forward in the chair.

To apply oil to the feet for massage it is advisable to have oil on a plate on the floor by the mid point of the receiver's body. The feet can be placed in the oil and the soles of the feet rubbed together, re-oiling the feet from the plate whilst working if necessary. The foot in it's design can be easily adapted to massage, it is not possible to give a step by step lesson in this article but listed below are some of the ways to use the feet in massage:

• Bigger muscles of the body, for example the gluteus muscles, benefit from heel pressure, with its larger surface area and the full weight of the body behind it.

• The big toe, the ball and heal of the foot can all be used for deeper massage work.

• The ball of the foot can rotate in small circular movements and gives a feeling similar to the palm of the hand.

• When using the toe, ensure the toe is flat to the body and not pointed to avoid strain to the therapist and to prevent the receiver feeling any discomfort from a toe nail.

• The big toe is an ideal size to run between the intercostal muscles.

• Using one foot in sweeping “S” movements will give a similar muscular stimulation to figure of eight hand massage technique.

• To lift the muscles away from the bone one option is to place the balls of the foot either side of the leg then lift and squeeze the muscle with the heels of the foot.

• During a back massage do not expect the feet to cup over the shoulders as this is not possible, the heels and toes are used to attend to the shoulder area,

• As with all massage the therapist must keep contact with the receiver and the techniques recommended by us to come down the sides of the body depending on the flexibility of the therapist's ankles and knees.

Fabulous Feet

In order to give a massage with the feet it is necessary to have them in very good condition, it may take several pedicures to get the most neglected feet to massage standard and it is important to maintain the feet with regular pedicures thereafter. Moisturising the feet every night maintains the texture and softness of the feet in between pedicures.

Fit Feet

To give a full body massage with the best results legs, feet and toes should be dexterous and flexible. Dexterity in the toes is needed to give a hand or foot massage. Working with legs and feet does require leg and abdominal strength so when learning this technique, until core strengths are built up, the therapist can use one foot at a time, with the other foot as a support at the side of the receiver. Regular leg strengthening and toe and ankle flexibility exercises are advisable to prevent strain or injury to the therapist.

Feet Feedback

Initially I had concerns that there might be some resistance to offering body massage with feet. Whilst it is true that some people do not like feet there are many people for whom it is not an issue. I and other therapists have found that any initial uncertainty is quickly replaced by interest and bookings when a demonstration is given. Client feedback is always positive, the majority say they cannot feel the difference between a massage by feet and one given with hands. Some clients like the larger surface area that the foot covers and the deep massage the feet can provide.

Many massage therapists who have been working for a while find their thumbs, hands and back take the strain, the knowledge and skills base acquired throughout their professional life is easily transferable to the feet. Those thinking that an upper limb disability or weakness in the back excludes massage as a career need to think again.

“Massage routines should combine a flowing sequence with the efficiency of position and movement for the therapist and maximum benefit for the receiver”

To purchase the Enjoyfeet DVD or to find out more about our workshops visit our web site at www.enjoyfeet.co.uk
The next workshop It is Saturday 28th February 2009 in Swansea.
For details visit:  www.enjoyfeet.co.uk/workshops.html