Aromatherapy for Your Feet

How to Incorporate Reflexology Foot Massage Into Your At-Home Wellness Practice

Our feet are incredible tools we use in many aspects of daily life. They support us for thousands of steps each day, and yet we forget to look after our feet. Foot reflexology is a wonderful way to return the favor and offer our feet the self-care they deserve, while simultaneously passing energy to other parts of the body.

What is Foot Reflexology?

Reflexology, also known as zone therapy, is an alternative therapy which involves applying pressure to the feet with the help of your thumbs and fingers. There are more than 15,000 nerve endings in our feet alone, and by stimulating those nerve endings, we can help awaken certain areas of the body.

According to reflexology charts, our feet are divided in to “zones,” with specific areas of the foot representing different organs within our body. Our left foot will stimulate the left side of the body while our right foot will stimulate our right side.

What are the benefits of Foot Reflexology?

• Improved blood circulation
• Boosts nerve response in the body
• Balances energy levels
• Reduces tension and stress
• Assist in the body’s healing process
• Enhance general mood

DIY Home Reflexology

If you are unable to get to an office to see a reflexologist, there are many resources to help you perform your own at-home reflexology to better your mental and physical health.

Below are a few of our favorite reflexology treatments for the feet that you can do in the comfort of your home. All you need are a few moments of calm, your able-bodied hands (or a partner) and a few of your favorite essential oils.

Before each session, you’ll need to get your feet in to a relaxed state. It is recommended applying pressure to the feet, however you see fit. That may be pressing, squeezing, gently kneading the bottom of the feet, or using a tennis ball to massage the feet.

Next you’ll want to press and hold your thumb on the solar plexus point of the foot for up to ten seconds. The solar plexus point of the foot can be found in the hollow of the ball in foot in line with the second toe. 

Then, try “walking” your thumbs (alternating the thumbs upward from the heal) from the base of your heel to the tip of your toes, focusing on particular areas of the body that are stressed, referencing the corresponding reflexology chart.

For more restful sleep:

Some areas of the body to focus on during reflexology is the pineal gland which is located in the brain and secretes melatonin and helps control our sleep cycle, and the solar plexus (under the ball of the foot in the center) which encourages feelings of relaxation and peace.

To locate the reflexology point for the pineal gland reference the chart above. Find the point for the pituitary gland and then trace toward the the outer part of the big toe focusing on that outter edge to stimulate the point for the pineal gland.

To enhance your bedtime routine, consider using a few drops of our Tranquil Essential Oil Blend combined with your favorite carrier oil as you massage your feet. This blend contains Lavender, Blue Tansy, Sage, and Chamomile essential oils for the ultimate calm.

For headache relief:

Focus on applying pressure to your big toes, specifically the points that correspond with the brain, pituitary glands and the neck. For sinus headaches, press on each smaller toe (sinus) to help relieve pesky sinus pressure.

Our Allevia Natural Elixir is the perfect companion to soothe an aching head. Peppermint, lemon, and vanilla work in unison and can reduce pain and tension associated with headaches. No need to dilute this bottle of wonders! Apply a drop below the nose and breathe deeply and also apply to the temples, behind the ears - you can even try it on your reflexology points.

For tummy troubles:

Using the finger walking technique, focus on the small and large intestines, (middle of the feet) which may help clear any blockages and awaken the body’s digestion. You will also want to give attention to the stomach and adrenal glands (underneath the ball of your big toe) for an overactive digestive system.

Our Peppermint Essential Oil Roll-On is an incredible multitasker for many stomach ailments. The convenient roller ball packaging is a great way to apply pressure to the above areas, especially when you need a quick fix. The cooling sensation and minty aroma will help diminish the discomfort of an upset stomach.

For stressed-out minds:

Stress and anxiety may be tamed by focusing on the lungs (balls of the feet) and solar plexus (under the ball of the foot in the center), which will help you focus on breathing and encourage relaxation. You’ll also want to try to focus on the neck (outer ridge of the big toes) and shoulders (outer pad of the feet near the arch) to help relieve tension.

To combat the feelings of stress, try our most popular aromatherapy elixir Stress Relief Essential Oil Blend. To promote stillness of the mind, we combine Lavender, Petitgrain, and Marjoram essential oils. A few drops of this blend combined with your favorite carrier oil, and you will be well on your way to relaxation.

Have you used DIY reflexology before? Drop us a line in the comments!
 

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tracey Ellis is a beauty enthusiast with over a decade of experience in the beauty industry. You can find her in the lab, manufacturing Source Vitál Products. Tracey is a New Yorker living in Texas and spends her time cooking and spoiling her miniature husky, Tabasco.

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