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While many massage techniques have been found to alleviate pain, foot and leg massage may be especially effective for elders who may not tolerate other forms of massage.
Why Foot Massage? There are several reasons why foot massage is a form of touch a therapist may easily turn to when reaching for a non-pharmacological intervention. Foot massage is non-invasive and considered “boundary-safe”. It has been my experience that most elders are comfortable with having their feet rubbed. Except for shoes and socks, no other clothing need be removed in order to provide the nurturing effect of skin-on-skin contact.
There well-documented physiological effects throughout the body. (Fritz 2000)
The foot is a very complex structure. Extensive nerve distribution exists to the feet. The sensory and motor centers of the brain devote a large area to the foot and hand. It seems logical to assume that stimulation of the feet activates the responses of the gait control (pain) mechanism with activation to the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system. Body- wide effects are the result. This fact alone is helpful in explaining the benefits of foot massage.
Many nerve endings on the feet correlate with acupressure points, which, when stimulated, trigger the release of endorphins and other endogenous chemicals. In addition, major plexuses for the lymph system are located in the feet. Compressive forces in this area stimulate lymphatic movement.
Massaging the feet is a powerful gesture of service. There are subtle associations of truly serving the elder when sitting or standing at the feet to provide caring and compassionate touch. The interpersonal dynamic shifts from a caregiver doing a task to serving the person. It conveys honor and respect.
Foot and leg massage contribute to both the alleviation of the physical sensation of pain and the individual’s perception of the pain experience. The general benefits include:
- Provides a subtle sense of security, grounding and peace.
- Helps relieve emotional tension
- Stimulates reflex points in the feet, balancing the whole body
- Opens the flow of energy throughout the body
- Increases circulation to the area
- Powerful gesture of being in service to the person
Bon Vital Foot and Leg Massage
for Frail Elders
Ann Catlin
Gentle Foot and Leg Massage Protocol
Any touch session, whether it is two minutes or thirty minutes has three phases:
- Preparation
- Application of techniques
- Closing
Preparation
Center yourself. If you are calm, the quality of your touch will be enhanced and you will enjoy the session more. Centering need not take but a few seconds. Take a deep breath and ground yourself before initiating the touch session.
Touch Quality and Intention
All forms of touch have quality and intention. The qualities are the physical attributes of your touch. For example, your touch may be warm or cold; firm or light; fast or slow; rhythmic or sporadic. The intention is what you communicate or convey through your touch such as touch used to communicate caring; to guide someone; to greet a friend.
In the foot and leg massage instruction that follows, the qualities of the touch are:
- Slow
- Rhythmic
- Light, full contact pressure
- Encompassing
The intention is to offer non- invasive alleviation of pain and discomfort and provide supportive one to one focused attention.
Apply techniques: Foot and Leg Massage Protocol
The following protocol represents an effective ten minute session—five minutes for each foot and leg for an elder who is sitting in a recliner with the footrest elevated. The length of time or number of repetitions that you apply any stroke is determined by the individual tolerance and response of the elder receiving the massage.
- Position the elder to provide support and comfort for the massage:
- Place a pillow under each arm to support the upper body
- Place a towel under feet to protect recliner upholstery.
- Gentle Compression. (Picture 5)
Starting distally, hold the leg with both hands and apply light com- pression by gently pressing your hands together, using the flat surface of your hand—your palms. Do not squeeze with your finger- tips. Hold the compression for 2-3 seconds; release. Lift your hands slightly off the skin and move up the leg about 3 inches. Repeat: press; hold; release. Flow your hands back down the leg and repeat the sequence 1-2 times
- Foot Massage. Apply Bon Vital Foot Balm. (Picture 6)
Massage the foot using full contact kneading with your palms. You may use the full surface of your thumbs in a circular motion on both the bottom and top aspects of the foot. Apply these circular strokes to the entire surface of the foot—heel, arch area, and ball of the foot as well as the top aspect from the toes to the ankle. Gently knead each of the toes if there are no contraindications such as fungal infection. Repeat 2-3 times. (Pictures 7a and 7b)
- Repeat entire sequence on other leg and foot.
- After massaging both legs and feet, end the session with a bilateral flowing stroke to bring balance to the two sides of the body. (Picture 8a)
- Closing the Session. Return to the starting point of focused touch so that you end the massage mindfully as when you began. Picture 8b
Precautions and Site Restrictions for Foot and Leg Massage:
- Be sensitive to privacy and cover the thighs of the elder
- Do not massage any inflamed area
- Edema: use only light touch or holding. No circulatory massage strokes
- Varicose veins: no direct stroking
- Deep vein thrombosis: do not massage area affected
- Fungal infection: If toes are discolored, nails yellow or thickened, or skin is cracked, avoid contact
- Pressure or diabetic ulcers: check heels and ankles for redness or blisters and avoid massage on these areas
Safe Options:
However, when one or more site restrictions exist, one of the following options can still provide safe benefits through touch.
- Massage around the affected site.
- Massage a different part of the body not affected by the condition.
- Use only focused touch or holding.
Through the power of touch, you become actively involved in a meaningful effort to increase the quality of life of those in your care. And since the gift of touch flows two ways you, too, can enjoy the mutual benefit of touch.
Bon Vital Naturale Massage Lotion This lotion has properties that support and nourish thin, fragile or dehydrated skin: it is unscented, hypoallergenic, non-greasy, PH-balanced, and won’t clog pores. Lotion is familiar to most people it may be accepted easily by those who have not experienced massage.
Bon Vital Foot Balm. Combined with a gentle foot massage, this balm relieves tired and swollen feet, helps speed healing, soothes muscles and leaves skin soft and refreshed. Perfect for people in care settings and caregiv- ers alike!
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