POLOKWANE – Mothers deserve to be spoiled for the anchors they are in our lives. If you are lucky to enough to be with your mother this year during the lockdown, why not opt for a home massage?
Conny Manku, a massage therapist at Tshoseletso Mobile Spa, shares some tips on how to offer a Mother’s Day massage worth remembering. She explains that you don’t need to break the bank to make your mother feel special.
“You will need a bowl or bucket large enough to fit her feet, coarse salt, lavender baby oil and soothing background music. First, pour warm water into your bowl and add the salt which you’ll allow to dissolve. Put your mother’s feet in there and let them soak for five minutes.”
The next step is to gently dry the feet with a towel and start applying the lavender baby oil. Conny explained that lavender works best as it helps with relaxation. At this point, you will rub the feet all over in circular motion using fingertips giving particular attention to under the feet.
Massage techniques:
Warm-up twists
A nice warm-up to start the massage. Place your palms on each side of the foot and gently pull the right side of the foot forward while pushing the left side back. Your repeat this vice versa and work the hands from ankle to the toes.
Top and side circles
Use both hands while supporting the foot from below. Extend your fingers, making circular motion around the ankle on either side. Using the same motion, move the fingers around the side of the foot continuing up to the toes.
Arch rubs
These are used to massage under the foot. You hold the top of the foot in one hand and with the fingers of the other hand, rub the length of the arch. Repeat this from the heel to the ball of the foot.
Toe bends
This technique encourages flexibility. Hold the heel with one hand and bend all the toes on one foot back and forth at the same time with the other hand. Repeat this movement and gently increase the pressure.
Heel squeeze
This technique helps to relieve tension at the back of the foot. You hold the top of the foot in one hand and hold the back of the heel in the other hand. Repeatedly squeeze and release the back of the heel.
Knuckle work
Massage the bottom of the foot. Hold the back of the foot with one hand and use the knuckle on the other hand to knead the bottom of the foot using moderate pressure. Work down the ball of the foot to the heel and repeat.
