14 Leg Massage Ideas
A leg massage can relieve sore, tired muscles. The benefits vary depending on how much pressure you apply. Using light pressure can be more relaxing. Strong pressure reduces tension and pain in your muscles.
A massage also stimulates your nervous system and can enhance your circulation.
There are different ways to massage your legs. Three different methods that vary by the hand motion you use are described below.
Stroking motion
- With your palm facing your leg, place your slightly spread fingers on your ankle. You can use one hand or both hands placed opposite each other.
- Apply pressure with your fingers as you move your hand toward your hip. Apply enough pressure to feel it in your muscle without causing pain. You can also alternate between light and heavy pressure.
- Move your fingers back to your ankle and repeat the movement as your work your way around your entire leg.
- Repeat up to 10 times per leg.
Tips
- For more pressure, use your palm or the heel of your hand instead of your fingers.
- You can use this motion on the top and bottom of your foot as well.
Chopping or percussion motion
- Starting at your ankle, gently hit your leg muscles with your fist. Alternatively, use the pinkie side of your hand in a chopping motion.
- Work your way up your leg, concentrating on areas that are sore or feel tight.
- Continue up your leg to your hip.
- Repeat, working your way around your leg.
Tip
- This method works well on the bottom of the feet but isn’t very effective for the top of your foot or your toes.
Squeezing and kneading motion
- Wrap the fingers of one or both hands around your ankle.
- Work your way up your leg, squeezing the muscle with your fingers using your thumbs to apply more pressure if you like.
- Continue up your leg to your hip.
- Repeat, working your way around your leg.
Tip
- You can include your feet by squeezing your toes and by squeezing your foot with your thumb underneath it and your fingers on top.