Foot Meets Rock
When foot meets rock, the result is a heartfelt sigh of pleasure and relief. How can this be? Well, this is not just any old garden-variety rock. And if the foot or feet are yours, so much the better.
For born-again feet, try a stone massage. Be prepared to feel better all over. The technique is based on reflexology, which stimulates pressure points in the feet that correspond to various organs and body parts. It’s a wonderful stress-buster, too.
To play: Warm four small rocks and one palm-sized rock in massage oil that is placed in a pan of hot water. Place the small rocks between the toes of one foot, slather on massage oil, and then use the larger rock to massage the arch, ball and heel of the foot. Massage the toes with your fingers.
You can pick up your own rocks on the beach, or order a complete kit on the Web.
Warm stone massage is believed to have several health benefits, including:
- Promoting relaxation and reducing stress
- Relieving muscle tension and pain
- Improving circulation
- Reducing inflammation
- Boosting the immune system
A warm stone massage on the feet is particularly beneficial because the feet have many nerve endings and are an important reflexology point. Massaging the feet can help to improve circulation and relax the muscles, as well as stimulate the internal organs and promote overall relaxation.
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During my warm stone massage the therapist held the stones and used them to massage my body. The heat from the stones helped me to relax and the therapist to applied deeper pressure. The warmth of the stones also had a wonderful sedative effect.