After a busy day, consider putting your feet up and enjoying a popular service offered by St. Ann Center’s Massage and Wellness Department—a soothing Foot Soak, Scrub and Massage, guaranteed to make you feel better from head to toe.
“Our feet walk us through life and seldom get a break,” says Mary McCanna, a Certified Massage Therapist at St. Ann Center’s Stein campus. “When our feet hurt, we hurt all over. And when our feet are happy, we’re happy.”
Foot massage is based on an ancient form of bodywork called reflexology—the application of pressure to specific areas on the feet and hands. Reflexology is a relaxing, energizing and effective way to alleviate stress. The theory behind it is that various areas of the foot—such as the toes, ball, heal and arch—correspond to organs and systems of the body. Pressure applied to these areas can positively affect the organs and benefit a person’s wellbeing.
The 45-minute foot care sessions will be offered in private massage rooms at the Stein Campus, 2801 East Morgan Avenue. “The treatment begins with a warm-water foot soak using soothing bath salts,” Mary explains. “While the feet are soaking, I’ll massage the hands with essential oils. Then, I’ll use aromatherapy salts to exfoliate the feet and lower legs, removing dry skin.”
Clients will then move to the massage table for a massage of their feet, ankles and lower legs with essential oils. “About a quarter of all the bones in our body are found in the feet,” Mary says, along with a network of joints, ligament and muscles. That adds up to a lot of moving parts that can be aggravated by the daily wear and tear of walking, standing, running…not to mention high heels or ill-fitting shoes.
Everyone can benefit from a foot massage, Mary says, “especially people with circulation issues, diabetes, chronic foot pain, or fluid retention in the feet, ankles or legs. Many people feel the relief from the deep reflexology lasts longer than a typical massage.”
A Foot Soak, Scrub and Massage session costs $48. Gift certificates for the holidays or anytime are available at St. Ann Center’s front desk. To make an appointment, contact Mary at (414) 977-5051. And to learn about other services offered in the Massage and Wellness Department, check out our website at stanncenter.org/massage.