Foot Massages: Pleasure or Pain?// BloomMe HK
There’s two camps in the foot massage realm: “Ohh, yes, that is lovely”, and “Ouchie, ooph, my foot!”.
How much you enjoy your impending massage really depends on your side of the fence. Some see the kneading and rubbing as a trip to heaven with each foot on a fluffy cloud and kittens at our ankles, and others as a form of tickle torture with a secret spy trying to get you to admit the launch codes.
Why the big controversy surround foot massages? BloomMe investigates.
Feet are complex things. They have 1/4 of the total bones in our body (26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments) and we use them all day, every day. We squish our ten piggies into small shoes, waddle down hills in heels, and use them for kicking annoying things.
The average person takes 8000-10000 steps per a day, and chances are we take even more on the weekends when shopping or exercising. This strain leads to sore muscles, cramps, swollen joints, sweat, and general aches. Foot injuries are notoriously difficult to heal, and improper steps can throw your whole body off whack. In fact, did you know that having flat feet can restrict you from joining the army because marching causes spinal issues? Poor little tootsies!
So, why do foot massages feel so good?
Plainly put, a foot massage will help to increase circulation in your feet and help your body to release tension. Foot massage feel like heaven to some not only because the muscles in your body and feet relax, but having a massage also increases the release of hormones in your body that help to relax you and give you a sense of calm, peace, and serenity.
Massaging the feet targets different areas in your body, and by stimulating certain areas of the foot you may experience health benefits elsewhere. Imagine a magical button that you can press an instantly experience tension release in your back? That button is in your foot and an experienced and intuitive masseuse can find it in an instant.
Why do foot massages hurt/tickle/make me not enjoy the whole process?
Feet are super sensitive.
There are a tonne of muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, sore spots, ouchies, and other sensitive spots in the feet, and pressing and kneading these spots can hurt a lot. Some of us are just born with ticklish feet, and someone touching the sweet spot in the arch can cause us to recoil and giggle like nobody’s business (much to the amusement of the masseuse or nail technician).
So how much pain is okay?
Never put yourself in a position of pain for a massage.
When you’re getting a foot rub, only you can feel if it is too painful or not.Rule number one: tell your masseuse if it is hurting. Don’t stay quiet, don’t ignore your body, speak up if the pain is excruciating.
That being said, foot massages are always a little uncomfortable. You’re working through all the knots and pains of the body, and the tenderness is to be expected. It’s like a good stretch in the morning, you groan and grunt into the stretch and enjoy the feels. Just remember that there is a firm line between pain-that-feels-so-good and just down right pain, so find your line and draw it.
Enough chitter chatter, where can I go for a foot massage that I won’t forget?
Chuffed you asked, here we go:
Soul Feet
BloomMe Loves: Foot Massage - 50 minutes @ $298 before discount
Putting their heart and soul into every treatment and making you feel groovy every time, this relaxation haven specialises in care for your feet.
For those who are cautious about a foot massage and need a gentle hand, this spa is your go-to. They will adjust accordingly and make sure that your comfort is numero uno during the session. You know you’re in for a treat when you see the interior and staff, all just screaming relaxation (figuratively, that is). They have on offer all sort of massages, but it’s their foot massages that really send us to an oasis of foot care and love. From the dark coloured furnishings to the expertly chosen soft linen curtains it is hard not to enjoy your impending appointment, and we say go and indulge in it. This salon offers both 35 minute and 50 minute foot massages, and you can also opt for a pressure point massage to target tension elsewhere.
Address: 2/F, Stanley 11 Building, 11 Stanley Street, Central
Chill Steam
BloomMe Loves: Foot Massage - 60 minutes @ $308 before discount
A super duper vibrant spa specialising in steaming away all your problems, Chill Steam is one of the first spas in Hong Kong to use traditional steaming therapy alongside massages in order to relax your mind and body. Have you been steamed and massaged before? You will love it!
Who doesn’t love a killer combo of a Foot Steam & Head, Shoulder, And Foot Massage for 105 minutes at $488 before discount? Or a Body Steam & Foot Massage for 75 minutes at only $468 before discount? Brilliant stuff!
Address: 118 Queen's Road Central, 7/F, Central, Hong Kong
Zhen Massage
BloomMe Loves: Foot Reflexology Massage - 45 minutes @ $198 before discount
This Thai Massage oasis knows just what buttons to press, in your foot that is! With a simple prod and poke, you too will suddenly find out exactly what a state of zen feels like. Warm interiors, leather sofas, friendly staff, and masseuses that know when to back off and when to dig in; this is what heaven must be like. They have a glorious 45 minute Foot Reflexology Massage (45 minutes @ $198 before discount) but also a combo deal of a Foot Reflexology Massage & 15 minute Neck and Shoulder Massage (60 minutes @ $266 before discount).
This salon specialises in reflexology, so expect lots of pressure point targeting and lots of healing to boot. If you find yourself wanting more after your first massage, get a Lymph Massage (90 minutes @ $788 before discount) to close the deal.
Address: 6/F Jade Centre, 98 Wellington street, Central