6 Steps to Give Yourself a Leg Massage

After a stressful day, it is nice to be able to sit or lay and relax. If you have been on your feet all day, your leg and feet muscles are tired and overworked. If you have been exercising with great frequency or exertion, all of your muscles are tight and sore.

A relaxing leg massage may be just what you need to loosen up and get your muscles back into working order. You do not however, have to pay a licensed massage therapist in order to feel better. You can give yourself a massage focused on your legs and feet. It simply takes a few minutes and knowledge of some key pressure points in order to feel rejuvenated and refreshed.

Starting with the larger muscles in your calf, firmly work out the tension and knots. It may help to use lotion or massage oil for your leg massage and this will help to moisturize your skin in the process, leaving you soft and smooth.

Working first with the large muscle group will begin to relax your leg and foot. If you apply a fair amount of pressure, you should be able to feel the tension release rather quickly. You can either use your hands or a massage tool. Some people find that they are not able to apply enough pressure with their bare hands. A massage ball or other tool can work nicely to work out muscle knots and other tense areas.

After you have relieved a good amount of tension in your calf area, you can move down to your foot. You may need to be somewhat gentle here as there are several nerves that can either tickle or be painful. Using your hand, simply apply pressure to the arch, heal and ball of the foot.

Work out the knots slowly by consistently applying pressure. Be sure to not forget your toes. You can gently tug on each toe, releasing the joint tension. Be very careful, as these tendons are delicate. Simply keep working over the same tense area until you feel the muscles relax. The key is to enjoy your leg massage and relax as you go.

Here are easy step by step instructions to get a relaxing leg massage:

1. Follow the contour of your leg with both hands. Be sure to apply equal pressure, with one hand on the outside of the leg and the other on the inside. Begin with the foot and work your way up to your thigh. Take note of tender spots and work those muscles with care. Repeat this motion several times, at least five.

2. While massaging your thigh, pay close attention to the large muscle group. Knead the muscles with care. This motion will help to get blood circulating to this area of the leg so that the tired muscles can heal.

3. Alternating hands, firmly stroke the thigh beginning with just above the knee.

4. With a clenched fist in both hands, use your knuckles to massage your upper thigh. If you have been sitting for a long period of time, this will help to circulate blood flow and make your legs feel rested.

5. The entire area of the knee can also be massaged along with your leg massage. Gently with your fingertips, massage your knee in a small circular motion.

6. With both hands, tighten your calf muscle away from the leg bone and release. Do this same motion repeatedly until it feels relaxed and loose.

You may want to incorporate a massage ball or other tool to apply even more pressure. Be sure to listen to your body when giving yourself a leg massage.

If you are too tired to give yourself a good leg massage, do not worry. You can use an air leg massager to enjoy the same benefits of an expensive massage.