You may feel a little sore after the first few uses, but that means the device is working. Those new to foot massaging should begin with pressure level 1 for about 15 minute a day until they start getting used to the massager experience. This stimulates recovery and reduces inflammation or swelling, Walker explains. “After a workout, the muscle fibers have just broken down and pain signals are still radiating from various body parts and to the brain.” The pulses from a massage create a positive neurological response, which allows the body to send nutrients like water, oxygen, enzymes and amino acids more quickly to the muscle fibers that have been broken down. “Percussive therapy enhances blood flow to the muscle groups being trained that day,” he says. Personal trainer and owner of Anywhere Fitness Ben Walker loves the use of massage tools for himself and his clients, particularly after a rigorous workout. Heated Massagers: A specific type of electric massage that involves heat therapy to warm up the muscle fibers for a soothing, calming effect.Īlongside compression boots and deep tissue massagers, these at-home foot massagers make the perfect wellness gift, Mother’s Day gift or just-because gift - especially for someone who stands all day or suffers from neuropathy, plantar fasciitis or overuse of the foot muscles.

Manual Massagers: Usually lower maintenance, manual massagers involve a textured base for manually massaging feet.

Electric Massagers: The most popular at-home massage machine that either plug into the wall or are battery-powered.

Some at-home shiatsu massagers even have extensive tech features like bluetooth and app connectivity, infrared heating elements and more.

This ancient Japanese healing method uses kneading, pressing, tapping, soothing and stretching the feet to help reduce muscle stiffness, stimulate the skin, aid in digestion and even influence the nervous system, according to the University of Minnesota. The most popular style of foot massage, however, is the shiatsu massage. This practice is believed to cure certain illnesses and alleviate stress. Plus, Chinese and alternative medicine literature states the right foot massage taps into reflexology, which is a system of applying pressure in different foot zones to stimulate energy and release blockages elsewhere in the body. The benefits of a foot massagerĪccording to Harvard Medical School, a foot massage improves circulation, stimulates muscles, reduces tension and often eases pain. And the benefits you can reap from one of these babies goes far beyond just feeling good in the moment. Whether you’re a marathon-running athlete, a worker that stands on their feet all day or you want to elevate your self-care game, an at-home foot massager is the product you never knew you needed (until now). If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Footwear News may receive an affiliate commission.

Foot massager tapping