I have developed a crackpot theory (stay tuned – there are plenty more of these to come) that if you sit all day, thereby shortening the muscles on the backs of your legs (some of which go into the bottom of your foot), you are more prone to plantar fasciitis and similar foot ailments.
Regardless of the cause, sometimes your achy feet just need a break, and one nice treat for them is a good massage.
Obviously, your first choice would be to book a massage with me, but if you can’t make that happen, there are a number of self-massage gadgets available.
Here are a few of my favorites, listed in ascending price order:
- $1 (or less) will buy you an old tennis ball or golf ball at a garage sale, which you can roll under your feet.
- $5 will get you a simple foot roller.
- $7 will get you a specially designed rubber massage ball.
- $15 will get you a fancy foot roller.
- $20 will get you a relaxing foot spa (TIP: add epsom salt to the water for additional pain relief).
- $150 will get you a fancy reflexology foot massager.
- $400 will get you an OSIM iSqueez Foot and Calf Massager from Brookstone. I haven’t actually bought one yet, but I often go across the street to the Brookstone store for a demonstration.
Keep one or more of these gadgets at your desk and treat yourself to a foot rub several times a day.
About the Author
Larry Swanson is a massage therapist in downtown Seattle, WA. His practices focuses on the unique needs of office workers and also includes injury treatment for sports and car-accident injuries as well as massage for wellness and athletic performance.