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History of Reflexology

It is generally accepted that the history of Reflexology goes back to the ancient times because pictures, texts, and artifacts show that, in some form or the other, exploitation of feet for positive purposes was practiced in the ancient cultures of China, Egypt, India, Japan and Russia. Unluckily, on the other hand, not much is known about the approaches, theories, or even the names given to such practices during those times.

There are a variety of accounts of the practice of massage or treatment of the feet being performed across Europe during the Middle Ages.Harry Bond Bressler believes that a certain type of Reflexology was practiced across the European social classes during the 14th Century. Also claimed is the fact that the Florentine Sculptor Cellini used pressure on hands and feet to relieve pain.

Modern Reflexology appeared in the United States throughout the early years of the twentieth century and was initially known as "Zone Therapy". In 1913, the American surgeon William Fitzgerald (1872 - 1942) described that certain zones on the hands, feet and tongue were related to other parts of the body. Dr. Fitzgerald is the one responsible for finding out that the application of pressure on the zones not only relieved and cured pain but in the mass of cases also relieved the original cause as well. This is what is generally achieved through Reflexology today. Medical journalist Dr. Edwin Bowers is believed to name the treatment as "Zone Therapy”.

Eunice Ingham was an American Massage Therapist / Physiotherapist who studied zone therapy under the supervision of Dr. Joe Riley. She is someone who is believed to be the main pioneer of modern reflexology. During the 1930s Eunice Ingham refined 'Zone Theory' into 'Foot Reflexology'. In 1966 Doreen Bailey, a former student of Eunice Ingham, returned to England from America and became the pioneer of Reflexology in England.

Modern Contributors

Modern contributors to the field of Reflexology include Ann Gillanders, Chris Stormer and his analysis of the ways to understand aspects of different parts of the feet, Inge Dougans is also known for her work relating to the interrelationship between Reflexology (specifically the reflex points/zones) and the Meridian Lines usually associated with Chinese Medicine.