How Often Can You Get a Foot Reflexology Massage?
Foot reflexology is a great way to ease your body from stress. Like acupuncture and shiatsu massage, foot reflexology works on pressure points. Reflexologists believe that there are pressure points on the dorsum of the foot.
These pressure points act as channels for the flow of qi energy to every organ in the body. When therapists apply pressure to any area, an increased flow of blood and qi is sent to the corresponding body part.
How often can you get a foot reflexology massage? Foot reflexology is one of those massage modalities that are safe to do every day.
For example, applying pressure to the heel of the foot increases blood circulation and qi to the organs in the pelvic region. The reflexology map of the foot currently includes about 40 different body parts and organs that can benefit from foot massage.
How Many Reflexology Sessions are Recommended?
Foot reflexology is not a full-body massage. It doesn’t require undressing and uses light pressure and strokes. Because of these, many clients ask us, “how often can I get a foot reflexology?” “Is it safe to get a foot reflexology every day?”
Yes, you can.
Since light massage strokes are used, the feet do not need to recover from soreness and fatigue. You can get foot reflexology every day as long as you know the factors that may influence your ability to do so.
What determines the number of reflexology sessions recommended?
Your ability to receive daily foot reflexology is dependent on these:
Medical conditions
There are medical conditions that can prevent you from getting daily foot reflexology.
For example, a client with diabetic peripheral neuropathy may not feel sensations during the massage. This means that the client cannot give feedback to the therapist, to say if the pressure is light, firm, or even uncomfortable.
Daily foot reflexology isn’t ideal for such a client to reduce his risk of developing foot ulcers. Apart from diabetes, other neuropathy causes include multiple sclerosis, paralysis, and sciatica.
Other medical conditions that can reduce the frequency of foot reflexology include gout, rheumatoid arthritis, bunions, corns, cysts, calluses, ingrown toenails, fractures, athlete’s foot, and pitting edema.
Individual factors
If you are a senior citizen or have a disability in your feet, the therapist may reduce the frequency and duration of your sessions for your safety. Apart from these conditions, you will want to consider the cost of each session and if the frequency of your sessions is a sustainable option.
You should also consider your expectations for each session. Can these expectations be met daily? Weekly? On alternate days or alternate weekends? Whatever you decide, be sure to discuss your decision with your therapist.
What to expect in Each Foot Reflexology Session
A foot reflexology session lasts for 30-60 minutes.
Before the massage session, the therapist will interview you to know your medical history, drug history, and expectations.
The therapist will also inspect your feet for bunions, warts, calluses, fungal infections, and other conditions that can affect the frequency and duration of the session.
In the massage room, you are asked to take off your shoes and socks and lie on a bed or take a seat.
The therapist washes your feet with warm water, dries them then commences the massage.
It is okay to fall asleep during the massage because foot reflexology can relax.
The therapist starts with the balls of the feet to stimulate the solar plexus. Stimulation of this plexus can put you in a state of deep relaxation.
After massaging the balls of the feet, the therapist moves to other areas of the feet. The solar plexus is massaged periodically to make you relax.
Reflexology is not painful. Clients may feel a tingling sensation, lightheadedness, energy flow to certain parts of their body, warmth, and pressure. They hardly ever complain of pain.
If you feel pain, be sure to inform your therapist.
Once the session is over, the therapist will encourage you to lie or sit for a few minutes before getting up. Some clients can experience dizziness if they get up as soon as the session is over. You are also offered glasses of water to drink.
Drinking water before a massage reduces the risks of unpleasant effects caused by dehydration.
In conclusion, foot reflexology is a relaxing and mild massage technique that is safe to do every day. However, your ideal frequency depends on medical conditions, budget, expectations, and other individual factors.
It’s great to consult a therapist who can help you decide on the ideal frequency for reflexology sessions.
Now its time to hear from you:
How often can you do reflexology?
What is your ideal frequency?
Do you have any condition that can prevent you from having one daily?
We can’t wait to read your thoughts in the comment section below.
