By Sharon Truelove
Most people love to have their feet worked on. It is a technique that most massage therapists learn early on to perfect, as it tends to result in good tips. It’s easy to take a simple foot massage to the next level and make the client feel like an honored guest.
According to the New World Encyclopedia, “…..feet-washing appears to be found in the hospitality customs of ancient civilizations, especially where sandals were the chief footwear. A host would provide water for guests to wash their feet, serve the guests by washing their feet, or even provide a servant to wash the feet of the guests.”
Using the simple ideas below, you can make anybody feel exclusively attended to.
Products:
1.) A wash basin
2.) 2 plush wash rags
3.) 2 plush hand towels
4.) 3 plush regular towels (warmed)
5.) peppermint essential oil (or any other preferred scent) in a massage carrier oil or creme of your choice.
Technique:
1.) Fill the water basin with hot running water. The water should be extremely warm but not too hot.
2.) Add three to five drops of peppermint essential oil to the water (various other oils are an option).
3.) Soak the wash rag in the basin and wring the excess water out.
4.) Clean by wiping the foot with the wash rag.
5.) Wrap the client’s foot with the wash rag, then wrap the wash rag with a dry hand towel. This helps to hold in the heat and moisture. Go to the other foot and repeat.
6.) Return to the first foot and remove both the towel and wash rag.
7.) Pat dry with a clean dry towel and using the scented oil proceed to thoroughly massage the client’s foot.
8.) When finished, wrap with a dry, warmed towel and repeat on the other foot.
This technique can be used alone or as part of a regular full body massage.
Comments: We’d love to hear from your. What other add ons can you think of that would compliment this treatment?
Just reading this post sounds so inviting. I think a weekly foot massage swap will be a part of my practice once I finish school.
I really like getting my feet done. The peppermint sounds so good! Will have to try that one. This is something I want to take with me when I start my practice.
I want one… This sounds so nice, I will surly give this a try at the house.
This sound so lovely and wonderful. I would love to do that and have it done to me. I definitely wantot give it a try
This sounds like a really great way to finish a full body massage-cant wait to try!!
This is something i found very fascinating. I love having my feet done and I am also wanting to find ways to do a better job at it for my future clients. This is something I want to try with them
I am currently in need of a really good foot treatment / foot massage. This info could not of come at a more perfect time. I am definitely going to try this asap!
This sounds wonderful. I will try it!
I love this idea! It reminds me of the hot towels they use during a facial. I love the idea of using peppermint oil in this treatment, because if the client has smelly feet the peppermint will help with that.
Wow, this sounds great! I’m going to have to try this sometime this week/weekend! I love having my feet rubbed. This is like a home pedicure without the nail polish!
This sounds so relaxing! I’ve been told multiple times, by different people that a great foot massage at the end of a massage really helps with a good tip so this is something I will definitely try on my clients! 🙂
Love when I have my feet worked on and so crazy how that relaxing feeling can go all the way up to my head. Looking forward to sharing that feeling, thanks for the information as always 🙂
Based on some recent experiences, the warm towel treatment is definitely a must do when dealing with another persons “dry” feet it softens the feet up for u and will make the whole over all experience more pleasurable 4 both you & your client.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea of giving them a foot bath! such a nice touch!
This reminded me of when Jesus had his feet washed. Rather or not he felt honored, the giver felt it was a way to honor him. In the old days(late 1800-early 1900’s) the women would wash the men’s feet during church after communion and before the sermon. It was part of cleansing themselves of sin.
The idea of foot washing is not just a sign of pampering someone, but a sign of humility. I consider it an act of pure serving on the part of the therapist.
love this! love the use of peppermint! the plush warm towels are great too! Foot massages are great by themselves, but with all these extras these ideas our foot massages will get us good tips for sure.
I believe this is a very nice idea for any client. I personally don’t like my feet being worked on just because I don’t like them touched.
This sounds so nice. I will have to give it a try
Well now I want a foot massage! I think maybe adding a quick scrub to this would make it absolutely perfect 🙂
This seems like fun and oh so relaxing to do!!
I agree that giving a foot massage is a great way to make people feel better just from the reactions I have seen. I only wish I wasn’t so ticklish so that I could see what it is actually supposed to feel like.
I learned that most people love a good foot massage and this is just taking it to the next level. People’s feet tend to get cold, so adding warm towels to a foot massage is really good idea, and it gets the oils off at the end of the massage. Love this!
I LOVE having my feet massaged. I like to do at home pedicures and I don’t wrap up my feet but I will have to try that! I like to let em soak. 🙂 I will be referencing this article to use in my own practice because it’s very lovely. Thanks!
there is nothing better then getting a really good foot massage. i know a few people that would love this.