I lay down on the cozy massage table and wanted to let my masseuse, Lulu, know something important.
"Um, I'm sorry," I said a little shyly. "My leg muscles, especially my calves and hamstrings, feel very tight."
Lulu started working on me seriously. She focused on my feet, calves, and hamstrings, giving them a strong massage. It felt like she was gently untangling the stiff parts of a thick rope, which was exactly what I needed.
When we finished, and I thanked her, Lulu gave me some advice: "Try putting your feet in warm water for 15 minutes every night," she suggested.
"Should I do that for my calves?" I asked. Lulu nodded and said, "And also for your legs."
But before I could ask her more about why this would help, Lulu hurried out of the room to help her next customer.
The muscles in my upper and lower legs were tight because of the activities I do regularly, like running, lifting heavy things, and sitting in a way that's not good for my body. I also have feet that aren't very arched, and that can pull on my calf muscles and tendons when I walk, making them even more strained and tense. But it turns out, many people experience this kind of tightness.
A chiropractor named Jeffrey Klein, who works at Broadway Chiropractic & Wellness Center in New York City, explained that muscles can get tight from doing the same movements over and over again, like twisting, turning, and bending.
Tightness in the lower part of your body can actually start from your feet and then move up. There are different reasons for this, like standing on your feet for a long time, wearing certain types of shoes, sitting for too long, flying on airplanes, or doing hard workouts. Gilma Linares, a massage therapist at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles, mentioned this.
I asked Linares if Lulu's idea of soaking my feet every night would really help with the tightness. She thought it was a great idea.
"Putting your feet in warm water can help with swelling and make your blood flow better," Linares explained. "This will also reduce any pain or discomfort you might feel in your lower back, hips, and legs."
When you sit or stand for a really long time, blood can gather in your lower body, which can be tough for your leg veins and how they work. Kate Denniston, a doctor who helps people using natural methods, said this is why it's important to take care of your feet. Linares added that paying attention to your feet can even help the rest of your body.
"Warm water helps your blood move around better, which is good for helping your cells heal," Linares said. So, when your muscles are tight from exercise or sitting still, warm water can send extra blood and oxygen to them, which helps them get better. "Since your feet carry the weight of your whole body, it's important to give them some extra care."