You don’t have to work on your feet all day to appreciate the relaxing effects of a foot massage. But if your feet are constantly aching after a long day, a foot massager can be an excellent investment so you can easily get much-needed relief. Since we don’t always have the time or ability to go to a massage therapist, having an electric foot massager can make it possible to experience relaxation in the comfort of your home. A foot massage does not just feel good – research suggests it has health benefits, too. Even a short massage can ease stress and relieve your pain.
What is an Electric Foot Massager?
Electric foot massagers are devices used to relieve stress and tension on the feet. They can be easily plugged in and controlled to perform foot massage.
Foot massagers come in all different shapes and sizes. Still, the constant remains are they can easily replace any trip to your local massage therapist while giving you professional-grade massages. There are many forms and types of electric foot massagers out there that use different techniques to stimulate muscles and release tension. Some use vibration, while others use heat.
The vibratory massage uses small vibrations to stimulate muscle groups and is great for relaxing sore muscles after a long day of walking, exercising, or running. Meanwhile, heat therapy uses hot water to increase blood flow and loosen tense muscles. If you experience foot pain, try using an electric leg massager to relieve the discomfort.
Benefits of an Electric Foot Massager
Here are the reasons why you may benefit from using an electric foot massager:
1. It increases flexibility and range of motion in the feet
Electric foot massagers are great as the massage can help stretch the muscle fibers in the feet, promoting flexibility and increased range of motion. This is especially helpful for athletes and those with active lifestyles. When the foot functions properly, it can perform more efficiently as they have greater flexibility and mobility, increasing overall circulation. Also, increasing blood circulation helps increase energy levels, as the muscles in the feet are nourished with better oxygen levels.
2. It can reduce aches and pains
If you’re on your feet a lot or if you’re physically active, your feet and calves can ache terribly at the end of the day. Your muscles may be sore, and your feet are likely stiff from overuse. This is where an electric foot massager can be good for you, as it helps loosen the muscles, alleviate pain, and prevent injury.
Massaging your feet can help interfere with pain signals to the brain by stimulating the competing nerve fibers with the pleasure sensation to override the pain signals to and from the brain. Electric foot massagers can help ease pains with foot problems such as sprains, strains, tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis.
3. It improves blood circulation
A 10-minute foot massage done on a regular basis can help improve cardiovascular function by increasing blood circulation throughout the body and lessening the workload of the heart. When you’re constantly on the go, you may notice some swelling and inflammation in your feet and ankles, constricting the blood flow in the feet and causing pain and discomfort. Using an electric foot massager can help with improving blood circulation to the feet and throughout the entire body. Better blood flow can help reduce swelling and inflammation as blood circulates more efficiently to your extremities.
4. It lowers blood pressure
If you suffer from high blood pressure, regular foot massages may help. According to a study, foot massages can help lower blood pressure. However, regularly going to a professional therapist to get a foot massage is obviously costly. Still, if you have a massage device or foot spa in your home, you can get a more affordable way of getting health benefits.
4. It helps reduce stress and anxiety
If you’re always feeling stressed out due to your busy life, a foot massage can help reduce your stress levels and help in relaxation. Stress plays a part in some illnesses, so any relief you get by taking a foot massage can help improve your general health. A foot massage can be a part of reflexology, and the theory behind it is that applying pressure to the feet can help with stress relief and help heal the corresponding organs and systems in the body.
Electric foot massagers are great for relieving stress on a chemical level. A good massage is always comforting, mood-lifting, and feels great, and it’s because it helps decrease cortisol (a.k.a. stress hormone) levels. If you have higher cortisol levels, it can lead to negative health effects, starting from stress, anxiety, and depression.
5. It can elevate your mood
Besides reducing cortisol levels that can cause stress and other health effects, electric foot massagers are great for relaxing. We all know that a trip to the spa can make you feel relaxed and happy. An electric foot massager can help the body release endorphins, which are hormones that help improve mood and alleviate pain by intercepting the pain receptors in the body.
6. It boosts the immune system
Electric foot massagers can be good for the immune system, too. A foot massage can help increase the activity of white blood cells that help our body fight diseases and promote lymphatic circulation to flush out toxins and waste products from the body. Applying pressure to the feet also helps boost the circulation of lymphatic fluid, allowing white blood cells to work and getting rid of viruses and bacteria to help keep infections at bay. Using an electric foot massager helps increase the activity of white blood cells, fighting off diseases and helping you stay healthy.
7. It can help relieve headaches and migraines
There are theories as to the effectiveness of reflexology for alleviating headaches. Some studies have shown that foot massage has the potential to stimulate pressure points for relieving migraine for those who suffer from them. The treatment is reflexology and acupressure, and it can be done using an electric foot massager.
8. It helps improve concentration
If you tend to lack concentration recently, the reason may include anxiety, insomnia, depression, and hormonal changes. If you reduce tension in the muscles of your feet, it will reduce the muscular contracting of the blood vessels in the feet, promoting the circulation of oxygenated blood to the brain, which will help improve your concentration. If you reduce tension in your feet’s muscles, you’ll be in less pain and more relaxed. The more relaxed you are, the more concentrated you can be. Massaging the feet can also release endorphins like dopamine and serotonin – two feel-good hormones that not only improve mood and reduce anxiety but also improve our memory, concentration, and ability to learn.
9. It helps improve sleep
If your foot massager has a heating function, it can help you sleep better. Studies have shown that having warm feet before going to bed can help you sleep faster and improve the quality of your sleep. That means using a foot massager or foot spa before bedtime can help those who are suffering from sleep problems such as insomnia.
How Often Should You Use a Foot Massager?
When you own an electric foot massager at home, you can enjoy them anytime you want. Using your electric foot massager three or four times a week can offer you a lot of health benefits and keep your body in shape after the daily grind. If you prefer to use it daily, it’s fine too. Just don’t overdo it – once your feet feel painful after use, stop using it immediately.
It’s recommended to use an electric foot massager for 15-20 minutes per session rather than prolonged periods of time in one sitting. This timeframe gives you the benefit of getting the optimal benefits while ensuring it can be used safely and properly.
Who Might Especially Benefit from A Foot Massager?
A foot massager can be relaxing and helpful for anyone, but especially those people with the following conditions:
- Swelling of the feet
- Arthritis
- Hammertoe deformities
- Bunions
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Achilles tendonitis
- Posterior tibial tendonitis
- Post-surgical recovery
- Athletic training and recovery
Are there any Harmful Effects?
When used properly and according to the manufacturer’s instructions, it has no harmful effects. However, for pregnant women in their later stages of pregnancy, stimulating certain nerves in the foot can cause uterine contractions and cervical ripening in the later stages of pregnancy. This is why it’s important to consult a doctor first before using a foot massager.
Those suffering from nerve damage like neuropathy may also be harmed by foot massagers, as they cannot feel changes in pain and temperature, which can result in injury and harm.