• Foot massage may relieve stress-related headaches.foot image by Ingrid Walter from Fotolia.com
  
  Foot massage does more than just rejuvenate tired feet. According to the website Alt Med Web, foot massage may also have been providing headache relief, improving skin conditions and boosting the body's immune system since the days of ancient Egypt. Fortunately, you don't have to be a Pharaoh's physician to give a great foot massage. You'll only need a few basic supplies and the sincere desire to help someone relax at the end of a hard day.
  
  

Set the Mood

• The first trick for giving a great foot massage is to remove as many distractions as possible and set a relaxing mood for the person you are massaging. Turn off the television and turn down bright lights. Play calming music. Lay a mat or blanket on the floor and have the recipient lie down with plenty of pillows for comfort. Make sure you have a comfortable position, as well; sit on a footstool at the person's feet or on the floor. Gather your supplies on an easily reached table so you don't have to get up and down to access them as you massage.
  
  

Foot Massage Product Tips

• Sometimes feet are a little smelly. If you don't want to embarrass a person by asking her to wash her feet before a massage, but you don't want to rub sweaty feet, wrap the feet in hot or cool towels. Keep a small crock pot near the massage area and put two damp hand towels in it. Turn the pot on if the weather is chilly or use the towels as is when a cooling treatment is preferred. Invest in a quality foot cream with a minty scent. Most lotions are too thin to provide good viscosity for massage, and you have to reapply often. A thick cream provides the right texture and slide. Mint oil refreshes the feet and smells good.
  
  

Warming Up

• Don't just dive right in and dig your fingers into a sore foot. Start slowly and build to deeper massage techniques if the recipient enjoys them. Stretch the muscles of each foot by rotating them gently as you hold the ankle for stability. Pull the toes slightly toward you with a gentle motion (you may hear them crack, but don't worry). Let the person's heels rest on the floor and slowly push the feet outward and then in toward one another. Apply a cream or lotion only after you have spent a couple of minutes stretching.
  
  

Tips for Massaging

• Using a variety of methods is important for a massage. Swirling your thumbs in a circular motion over the soles of the feet feels good, but not if you keep doing it for 20 or 30 minutes. Change up your movements for the best results; use your knuckles, thumbs, fingertips, the sides of your hands and the heels of your hands. Massage every inch of both sides of both feet, including between the toes, and spend the same amount of time on each foot so the person feels balanced when you are finished. For a special treat, sweep your hand up under the calf muscles and include the legs in your foot massage. When the massage is drawing to a close, don't just stop abruptly. Slow down your movements so the person knows their massage experience is coming to an end.