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Have our early ancestors complained of sore, tired feet?
In order to better understand why so many people today have tired, sore feet, we need to take a quick look at the history of our feet and their immediate environment, the ground beneath.
Our ancestors spent their days in their upright position, on their feet. Thus, the feet received constant pressure from the ground, and from stepping on the big and small particles of debris that covered the grounds. Walking on debris created hot spots of pressure in different parts of the foot. In this way, people received foot massage, and their reflex points got stimulated at the same time. In addition to previous benefits, the uneven natural grounds made the feet bend and stretch in many ways.
Is there any evidence to suggest that our distant ancestors had foot problems? No. The old form of foot massage (from the ground up) worked for us up until around 4,300 years ago, when people started making first paved roads, also in Egypt around 4,600 years ago. The first pictograph depicting the person massaging feet of others was also found in Egypt, dating back 4,300 years back. This “massage therapist” was second after Pharaoh, all thanks to his powers to heal people by massaging their feet. As see here, reflexology was born on the heels of introduction of paved roads. As you know, feet may hurt not only because of injuries; they may also hurt due to inflamed reflex points. These points can become highly sensitive due to many reasons, one of which could simply be the absence of stimulation.
The invention of paved roads came with unintended consequences. Flat roads prevented feet from bending and stretching in many ways, causing some foot muscles to become lethargic, even stagnant. Plus, without debris, reflex points lost their stimulation. The paved roads and primitive footwear gave birth to all sorts of problems associated with feet. Reflexology spread through the African deserts, while the Far East, in India and China saw a variation of reflex point therapy where needles are used to reach and stimulate these reflex points.
Today, no matter what shoes we wear, or don’t wear, we are still walking on grounds that are flat. This flatness makes feet ache, and if left untreated, the aches turn into pain. Now you know why deep foot massage and reflexology have become so popular lately. It’s because of wearing shoes everywhere, even at home on carpet, and on the beach on top of sand; and because of flat roads everywhere we step.
How to prevent feet from getting tired and sore
To prevent feet from aching we need to give them what they had in abundance in the distant past. We need to walk barefoot on grass, sand, rocks, landscape filler, and/or different natural, uneven grounds.
I realize that just reading these words makes many people uncomfortable. Without practice, modern feet have become intolerant to walking on natural grounds. To overcome such high intolerance, I suggest wearing one or two pairs of thick socks, (no shoes,) and trying to slowly walk on grass, sand, rocks, landscape fill, or any uneven grounds. If feet are still too sensitive, you can apply Tiger Balm (sports balm) to temporarily reduce foot sensitivity.
However, for some, the outdoor options are not feasible. For such cases, I’ve created a way to replicate the outdoor experience in your home, giving more attention to the needs of delicate feet.
Here are the basics of the Nestoiter-Gravity Foot Massaging Rock Pillow. (see details below) A case from super strong fabric is made and filled with rocks. An adjustable cushion goes on top of that rock pillow. After practice over several weeks, you will be able to stand and walk in place on top of that rock pillow. With a little music, you can make dance steps on the pillow.
Here, gravity does the work while you drive. The point is to move your feet by stepping on different parts of the rock pillow. Because the rocks in the rock pillow move slightly under your weight, every time you step, you step on a new surface. Just like in nature, you never step on the same spot twice. Feet love variety. If you linger in one spot for too long it will irritate or even hurt that spot. When feet don’t move, as in wearing shoes, even when we spend long hours sitting, your feet will hurt. That’s because our feet were made to move, from one spot to another, non-stop movement.
On average, it would take about two months for the feet to be ready to walk on the rock pillow without cushion. At this stage, you are massaging your feet, stretching and bending them in the process. Now you start receiving sufficient pressure to reach reflex points in your feet.
This is where the magic begins to happen. As your feet get reflexology treatment, your body switches to the self-healing mode and begins to align you energy fields and align the work of your glands and organs in the body. At this stage, almost every week brings some good surprises. It is different for every person, but everyone discovers what a difference it makes when this or that organ begins to function at its optimum level.
For some, the skin complexion could clear up. For others, it could be improved blood circulation in the feet and legs. You could begin to feel better because the liver is eliminating more toxins from the body. It could be that the digestive system is moving things at a faster pace and reducing your weight. It could be the disappearance of headaches, or the desire to eat sweets. The pain in the lower back could just vanish.
I can go on and on because reflexology is a powerful treatment, and the body’s self-healing powers are amazing. The best way to treat a problem is by using the body’s self-healing ways.
Did I mention anything about removing pain from feet? I did not. Why? Because by the time you can stand and step on the rock pillow without cushion, there will be no pain in your feet.
How to build the rock pillow
I will outline the basics in creating the Nestoiter-Gravity Foot Massaging Rock Pillow.
- The final size of 18″ x 24″. Use fabric in two layers.
- Get heavy grade upholstery fabric, and 18″ heavy-duty sports zipper.
- Using the sewing machine, make the “pillow case” with the zipper on the short side. Use at least double stitch on all sewing lines.
- At Home Depot or at your local landscape shop, get smooth, roundish stones 3″ (the size of your fist) on average. At the Home Depot they are called Mexican Beach Pebble; there you need two bags of these stones. If you are getting stones from another place, get enough to cover 6 square feet, 2″ thick. The rocks weigh-in around 50-60 pounds.
- Make sure the stones are fully dry and are treated to prevent mold or other green stuff growing on them. If you the stones you are buying were not treated, wash them in bleach and let dry. Before you start placing the stones into the pillowcase, add in 1-2 pounds of coarse salt.
- Close the zipper after you fill the case. Keep in mind, the more stones you have in the case, the smoother will be the walking surface. At first, pack the case tight. Only after some experience, you can start removing stones. Remove up to 10 stones per week so your feet have time to adjust to the new experience.
- For the cushion, you will need one thick and very large beach towel.
To start, fold the towel to create 8 layers and place on top of your rock pillow. Wear thick cotton socks (no shoes.) If the towel is thick, you should feel the rocks through the towel cushion, but very faintly. Walk in place for a few minutes. If you feel that the pressure from the rocks is coming through the towel, you can either add more towels or wear the second pair of thick socks.
After a week or two, your feet will ask (yes, feet do communicate with us, just not in words) to reduce cushion. Fold the towel to make 6 layers and try it. A little pressure is normal. Too much of it will cause pain, and you should not be experiencing pain while doing this. Give it another one or two weeks, or when you are ready, fold the towel to make 4, 2, and 1 layer(s) of towel. Always wear thick cotton socks.
Keep in mind that when you finish this project and become comfortable with what to do and how, it will be your favorite activity. Your whole family will enjoy it and benefit from it. Also, if you want to become more popular with your friends and neighbors, invite them over for complimentary foot massage via gravity and your rock pillow. Once people find out what you have, your home will always have guests.
write by Olwen