Feet...

[Lisa N]

I am not a reflexologist but I do believe in the reflex points in the feet and their correspondence to the organs and systems of the body. I always try to incorporate a really nice foot massage into any of my full body massages. I feel its important to address the feet and my clients are usually very grateful.

I just met a newly graduated massage therapist who informed me that she does not work on feet? She said that even during her schooling and her clinical training she would skip the feet? She said that she is grossed out by feet and will not touch an individuals feet at all... ever!

I have never heard of such a thing? I have encountered clients who leave their socks on during a massage. I always ask them if they want their feet done. Some are suprised that I am willing to work on their feet, others don't want their feet worked on due to ticklishness or insecurity about their feet. I always keep a spray bottle of diluted wintergreen alcohol and/or foot spray on hand whenever I encounter icky feet. I imply that I spray and wipe down everyone's feet before touching them so as to not make the client self-conscious, but I've never just considered omitting the feet altogether?

Does anyone else do this, or have they heard of such a practice? I know that I personally would not feel "complete" if I had a massage only down to the ankles? I think it a bit unprofessional for a therapist to just refuse to touch feet or any particular body part due to their own personal hang-ups? What do you think?

 

[nick O]

Feet...

I agree with you. Sounds like something she just wasn't willing to try during school and never got past her personal issues with it. I get irritated enough when my therapist won't touch my feet until the very end (I realize it's a sanitary issue with some, but that's why I always have hand sanitizer next to my table!). I can't imagine not having my feet done at all! Some compressions through the sheet at the very least!
I also know that a lot of therapists will have a foot bath for their clients while they're filling out their paperwork as a nice little courtesy as well as to prevent being surprised by icky feet.

 

[Dubgli]

Feet...

I know of massage schools that never incorporate the feet into leg work. Those schools teach it as an area that is ALWAYS touched last and least, lest you gross out the client! To me, it sounds like someone in curriculum development has injected their personal issues into program design.

The school I attended taught that the feet are part of the legs, and you can work on them at any point in a session, or not at all, depending on what you are trying to accomplish. Most of the continuing ed I've had reinforces this mentality.

As someone with old foot/ankle/knee issues, I have taken a special interest in those areas and studied the anatomy, function, and interrelationships of foot/ankle/leg structures over the past few years. I now assess the feet and ankles in relationship to the rest of the leg and body and often spend some quality time doing specific work with the intrinsic muscles of the feet and the metatarsal joints (both distal and proximal). Many clients tell me they have never had someone focus on those areas so much, and some have been referred to me specifically for foot work. Clients that are very sensitive or ticklish can be calmed and their feet worked with little/no issues if you take your time and communicate with them during the session. It doesn't take long to figure out what they can handle if you are really paying attention and willing to slow down and feel for tissue response.

Even without studying Reflexology, it is possible to learn and practice foot work that has profound implications for the rest of the body. Plantar fasciitis (and issues that resemble it) can be dealt with in a reasonably short amount of time, particularly if the client also learns and practices some appropriate self-care.

The MT who does not touch the feet is at a major disadvaneforum.xxxe. They might still achieve some success, but it will be much more difficult. As an employer, I certainly wouldn't hire an MT who doesn't do foot work.

 

[Navywife0827]

Feet...

Even without studying Reflexology, it is possible to learn and practice foot work that has profound implications for the rest of the body. Plantar fasciitis (and issues that resemble it) can be dealt with in a reasonably short amount of time, particularly if the client also learns and practices some appropriate self-care.

The MT who does not touch the feet is at a major disadvaneforum.xxxe. They might still achieve some success, but it will be much more difficult. As an employer, I certainly wouldn't hire an MT who doesn't do foot work.

I have had much success with Plantar Fasciitis clients too! I have some that come to me exclusively for that treatment.

I do agree that the therapist who does not touch feet is at a disadvaneforum.xxxe. I used to do a half hour "mini massage" that was all upper body and the last few minutes I would work on the feet. Clients loved it! They found it very rejuvenating and gave them that "all over" body massage feel, with out the time and money investment.

I just could not fathom a massage therapist thinking that its just okay to flat out refuse to work on feet... ever? I just think that strange? If one has an aversion to a particular body part (especially one that is typically massaged) why become a massage therapist in the first place?

 

[Elaine]

Feet...

Oh, one more foot story... and this one is just horrible. I heard of a massage school instructor who told his class that if he discovered that his client had smelly feet, he would imediately go up and work on the clients face right after working the feet to "teach them a lesson" not to come to him with stinky feet again!

I was appalled when I heard that! How disgusting and unprofessional! And to admit doing this to his entire class of students? No wonder the guy was teaching, he probably couldn't maintain any clients with that type of behavior and attitude! I wonder what he's doing today? I can't imagine he'd still be in the massage field.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Feet...

I've heard of therapist not wanting to work the feet. I'll also say that on occasion I've had someone come in with terribly smelly feet and opted to provide compressions through the blanket. Of course, this is something which I sometimes do when the feet aren't smelly, but we're limited on time but still wanting to make it "feel" like a full-body session (just in case I have any clients reading who might get the wrong impression).

However, for the most part I enjoy working on the feet and hope to someday get my reflexology certification.

Regarding smelly feet, there are a few good threads on our forum, and I'm adding them here as a cross reference:

• STINKY AND DIRTY FEET!! - "foot wipes"
• Product needed to clean feet before session?

And, from: Dirty Little Secrets

• 
  

  2. Stinky feet- I keep warm moist towels on hand in my Cabi to wipe off smelly feet- I also give them a touch of warmed lavender or rose oil before wiping them off. My clients love this and it preps the feet for work as they are warm and relaxed.

  As for smelly feet, I use a bit of peppermint,spearmint or lavender EO mixed with a bit of grapeseed oil and rub it into the feet and wrap with a warm moist towel while working the legs- by the time I reach the feet, they smell good, and are soft,warm, clean and ready for me to massage! Plus the clients love it!

  When I was in school we used "Refreshing Foot Bath" on every client. It was a 50/50 mix of Sea Breeze and water. We would start with a refreshing foot bath (sounds nice - kinda goofy in practice) by spraying a little in our hands, rub together to warm, rub into the feet, then go and wash hands before beginning massage. It's cool and tingling - nice in the summer - a little chilly in the winter.

  I keep a container of unscented baby wipes at the foot of my table to clean my hands with after I do any footwork. I clean my hands with those before moving to any other part of my client. Sometimes I also keep a spray bottle of soapy water and a towel to clean my hands with as well.

  But I do have a towel cabi and if their feet seem smelly or dirty, I will use hot towels to wipe their feet down BEFORE I massage them, sometimes adding essential oil.

  But I use a peppermint rosemary foot spray to clean the clients feet as a "refreshing foot treatment" - spray with witchhazel and essential oils and wipe with towel = cleaner, nice feet = I don't have to touch potentially yucky feet + clients really like it.

Last, here are a few extra comments I found around the forums:

• I bought a foot deodorizer from the beauty supply store (don't remember the name at this time). It comes in a small spray bottle and it says "foot deodorizer" right on the bottle. I put it on a table in my room, right next to some napkins and a small trashcan sits under the table. Clients have taken it upon themselves to spray and wipe their feet it they feel they need it. I just started doing this because of the heat and most people are wearing opend toe shoes that allows their feet to get dirty and sweaty and smelly.

  
  

  Another great product for feet is Pure Pro's Peppermit Pedicure creme. It has a strong enough scent to cut through foot odor, is not oily, has a wonderful glide & softens even the most calloused feet.

  
  

  Smelly Feet Powder
  Mix 1/4 cup organic ginger and 1/4 organic cornstarch. Store this mixture in an airtight container. To use, light brush on feet using a large brush designed for cosmetic powder application. Between gingers antibacterial properties and cornstarch absorbency, you will combat foot odour - no more smelly feet!

  
  

  - for the smelly feet you might try Khepra Foot Balm. It moisturizes the feet, but most importantly (for you! ) is that it eliminates the bad odor. I keep a pump bottle of it at the foot of my table and use it on everyones feet - not just the smelly ones! Most people do not seem to be aware that I am using something different when I get to their feet. It also leaves no residue, so no chance of them slipping when they get off the table like you might get with other products !
  
  I got mine thru Khepra directly at
  
  http://www.khepracare.com

  • With an additional note about the Khepra from another therapist:
    

    For some reason the Khepra foot balm makes me queasy... I didn't like working with it. Sounds wonderful in theory... I don't know if it was the sample I had or just me... but the smell of bitter almond was overwhelming.

  Another great product for feet is Pure Pro's Peppermit Pedicure creme. It has a strong enough scent to cut through foot odor, is not oily, has a wonderful glide & softens even the most calloused feet.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Feet...

I went to Massage School with someone like that...
She was a bit of a princess and announced several times that feet were gross and that she would NEVER touch them.

I always thought that was so weird as I LOVE my feet worked on - massage OR reflexology.

Once in awhile a client will ask that I do NOT work on their feet. Usually it is becauise they say they are ticklish but on two occasions I noticed that the clients feet were in bad condition - smelly and fungal. That was fine with me!

But I agree - it is a good idea to use a product that has anti-bacterial/anti-fungal properties, as many essential oils have. Or, as mentioned ,just use compressions through the sheet.

 

[Bradly]

Feet...

I love my feet worked on, so i couldn't imagine not working on someone's feet. I would feel really jibbed if i didn't get my feet worked on.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Feet...

If I went for a massage and NO feet, I would be mad.

I love doing feet and having them done. A massage without at least some feet work is just criminal.

Bad smells can't always be helped and that is where some good smelling feet cream is handy. What can you do but just get over it sometimes?

 

[Avril Lavigne]

Feet...

I use the Khepra foot balm. I think it smells great and it doesn't just mask the odor. Even some people that have clean feet can have stinky feet. Khepra stops the smell and doesn't just cover it up.

I've used some other products that actually made the smell worse and khepra never does this. Plus, it isn't that it leaves no residue, it's that it has some beeswax in it so that it when it dries, it makes it so that the client doesn't go slipping across the floor!