Effect of Foot Massage on Postpartum Comfort and Pain Level of the Mothers Who Had Vaginal Birth

Foot massage includes classical massage techniques such as effleurage, petrissage and friction techniques. Effleurage is the movement of stroking and lubricating superficial tissues. Therefore, it is performed at the beginning and ending of the massage. Petrissage is the slow and rhythmic movement to apply direct pressure to the soft tissue underlying the skin with the balls of the fingers and thumbs. Friction is the application of pressure through small circular movements only in small areas, using hand or fingers. While muscle tissue is compressed and relaxed, blood and lymph circulation increases. Thus, lactic acid in the muscle fibers is diminished and fatigue and stress are decreased.