Foot fetys have long been stigmatized as taboo. But thanks to partial pop culture – Ahem, Kesha offers feet photos of her feel -profile – Foot fetish has become enough mainstream because it is now considered “vanilla” in most kink communities.
But not all foot fetish images are created equally. (Cough, cough, to “House of the Dragon” foot scene.) But there is no doubt that foot games are generally loved. “Integrating foot games into your sexual intimacy can be really fun,” says sensual intimacy coach Oli Lipski. “Just think of (feet) that further hands!
To dip our toes in the foot fetish world, we spoke with several six therapists and intimacy coaches who explained everything from the origin to a foot fetish to best practice in integrating foot games into sex. With this expert advice on trailers, you can also unlock your inner footdiva, if you are a beginner who wants to understand more about the fetish, or you are an experienced foot-loving professional.
Experts displayed in this article
Ola Lipski Na That queer sensualist Is a sensual intimacy coach, sex educator and writer.
Heather Shannon is an aasect certified sex therapist and hosts for “Ask a sex therapist” Podcast.
Melissa chef Is an AASECT-certified sex therapist and has an advisory role on the Board of Funwithfeet, a foot fetish blog.
Angelica JacksonMa, LPC, CHST, is the founder and the owner of Denver couples & sex therapy.
Rebecca Banton is a kink educator, writer, artist and co-host for “Fat chickens on top“A podcast about“ Body liberation. “
What is a foot fetish?
By its most basic definition, a foot fetish or podophilia is an attraction to feet. “You can think of it as perceiving feet that we would usually perceive breasts, butts or genitals,” says sex therapist Heather Shannon. “Often someone with a foot fetish thinks that the feet are even sexier than these traditionally (sexualized) body parts. For example, can see naked, pedicated feet to be a huge turn-on for someone with a foot fetish.”
Due to the footfetics’ living private nature, there is not much research on the specific topic. But every gender expert we talked to confirmed that it is one of the most common fetishes. “It’s one of the more common fetishes that moves the body,” says sex therapist Melissa Cook. “It may involve the desire to caress, mess or lick the feet, or about the aesthetics of the feet, such as their size, toe form or shoes.”
Why do people have foot fetish?
It is tempting to want to reveal our fetishes and make them make sense. But what someone thinks to awaken does not always have a simple answer. Sex therapist Angelica Jackson tells Popsugar that some people “can associate feet with dominance or submission or find special aesthetic functions attractive, such as shape, size or even the smell of feet.”
People develop excitement stimuli in many ways. “Many kinks and fetish games are based on power exchange and the psychological effect of playing with taboo,” says Kink teacher Rebecca Banton. “Feet is generally seen as low or dirty. For some people, consensus is forced to kiss, lick, move or be trampled by one foot put them in a submissive position.” For others it can be seen to give or receive pedicure as an act and a form of a language of love.
For example, Banton is submissive and likes service documents. “My partner has diabetes and must take good care of his feet,” they say. “To get this whole pedicure process to work less medically, I give sexy pedicures (wearing underwear or nothing, knee at his feet). We both enjoy the exchange of power, the intimate care act (pedicure, massage) and it meets a medical need.”
For Lipski, foot games started as something playful. “I remember giving my (boyfriend) a foot job when I was a teenager,” she says. “And when I’ve grown up, I haven’t shot away from integrating feet into my intimacy. I think feet are such rich entertainment zones.”
And even though she makes it clear that she has a “footkink” and not a foot fetish, she likes foot stimulation during sex. “I love to give foot massage, I have used feet to stimulate my vulva, and in my solo game I sometimes think of the sensations in my feet to keep me present.”
How to integrate foot games into your sex life
If you are interested in exploring foot games, communicate first with your partner that you want to bring your feet in the mix. “Ask if they feel comfortable having their feet concerned or if they would rather it is just your feet,” says Lipski. “Some people’s feet are extremely sensitive, and others (humans) are just not in feet. Hygiene can also be a factor, so cleanliness is the key.”
As with many other kinks and fetishes, it can also be good to discuss the use of a safe word (something random as “red” or “pineapple”). When consent and secure words have been established, experiment with the options below to integrate foot games into your sex life:
- Touch them themselves. Connect to the sensations in your feet by playing with temperature and structures such as feathers or ice cubes. “We spend so much of our lives on our feet, putting a world of pressure on them, so recognizing them with touch can be extremely comfortable and gratifying,” says Lipski. Some examples: rub ice cubes around your feet, spend an extra long time in the shower and wash them, lotion your feet before going to bed, give yourself a foot massage, etc. Learn what feels good so you can share what you liked with your partner.
- Get a pedicure. Whether you give or get the pedicure, it has the potential to be very sensual, and that feeling of spoiled can definitely get someone in the mood.
- Give or receive a foot massage. Like a pedicure, a foot massage is a good starting point. Whether their feet are tender or not, offering to massage your partner’s feet with a little lotion. (And maybe ask them to return the favor after.)
- Try toe sucks. Start by lick and suck each other’s toes gently. “You can also try to lick between your toes,” says Shannon, “or goes for other parts of the foot to experiment with what feels best.” Remember that hygiene is a must, so this type of action would best immediately after a shower or bathtub. And don’t forget to use your safe word if you do not start enjoying the sensations.
- Give a foot job. Instead of fingering or giving a hand job, try a foot job. “Of course, your feet are not as coordinated as your hands, but you can still use them to create friction on a penis or to stimulate a clitoris or vaginal opening as well,” says Shannon. Just place your feet together and place them around the base on a penis so that they move back and forth, in the same way that your hands would do with a hand job.
Melanie Whyte was a contributing staff writer for PS. Based on NYC, she writes about LGBTQ identity, gender and relationships, pop culture threats, mental health and home improvement. Her work has been presented by Refinery29, Real Simple, Apartment Therapy, Southern Living, Coveteur, NPR and more.
