Here's the rub: toe-curling foot-massage tips to try at home. (bodycare).(Brief Article)

Returning home after a long day, would anyone refuse the offer of a foot massage? Of course not. Brimming with job-related tension or, at the very least, foot fatigue, your special someone will probably head for the nearest sofa in hopes you can bring some relief to his or her aching feet.

Professional massage therapists go through extensive training in massage techniques, anatomy and physiology. Even though you don't have to be a professional to relieve what ails that special person in your life, it helps to know some basics. Here are some surefire techniques you can try in the comfort of your own home.

First, set the mood. Professionals recommend soft, indirect lighting and soothing music. Skip the hard rock and try some Enya or Bach instead.

Incense and scented candles also can enhance the atmosphere. Baltimore-based massage therapist Brian Thompson says the scents of eucalyptus and peppermint have an energizing effect. Chamomile and bergamot have a calming effect, and lavender can act as an aphrodisiac.

Now that you've set the mood, the next step is to apply massage oil. In The Theory and Practice of Therapeutic Massage (Milady, 1990), therapist Mark Beck advises that when you are ready to apply massage oil, "lay the back of your hand lightly against the part of the body to be massaged. Put enough oil in the palm of your hand to apply a thin film over the body part on which you are to work. Do not apply oil directly from the container to the body because it will feel cold to the client and cause discomfort."

Before actually massaging your partner's weary feet, take some deep breaths to relax yourself, Thompson says. Your own routine may vary according to your partner's tastes, but Thompson suggests the following steps:

* Apply pressure to your partner's foot, holding it with both hands along the sides and squeezing. Now rub the top of the foot and around the ankles.