Motto

4 He (Jesus) riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
(John 13)

From our personal experience, from our mentors we have learned that reflexology is one of the most efficient, less invasive and cost-effective healing therapies and assessment tools.

History
The Modern Era
What benefits does reflexology provide?
How does reflexology work?
How we do use Reflexology in our practice?
Reflex points chart - Reflexology chart

History

The most concrete evidence of the practice of reflexology(1) in ancient culture was the discovery of the above wall painting depicting the practice of hand and foot reflexology in the tomb of Ankhmahor (highest official after the Pharaoh) at Saqqara, Egypt which is also known as the physicians tomb.

This Egyptian wall painting is dated at the 6th dynasty, about 2330 B.C.. Prior to this discovery it was widely believed that reflexology had ancient origins only in ancient Oriental practices of acupuncture and Tui-na (Chinese traditional massage, mother of Shiatsu and Swedish Massage). Similarly, North American Indian medicine men are believed to manipulate and stimulate the feet as a part of their healing practice.

However Traditional Chinese Medicine has long touted the benefits of stimulating certain points (reflex points) along the body that correspond to specific organs or body parts. Foot reflexology is based on this theory. In the Shang Dynasty, around 1200~1700 B.C the oracle inscriptions on bones show that Tui-na was a quite important method to treat infant and adult digestive conditions.

As information is gathered it seems that variations of the modern practice of reflexology existed in all of the ancient healing cultures.

The Modern Era

In Western culture one of the earliest books to be written on reflexology was published in 1582 by two eminent European physicians, Dr. Adamus and Dr. A'tatis. A second book by a Dr. Bell was published shortly afterwards in Leipzig.

It was, however, a Dr. William H. Fitzgerald who advanced and developed the initial popular practice of reflexology in our contemporary Western society. Dr. Fitzgerald studied at the University of Vermont and graduated in 1895. For two and a half years he practiced medicine at the Boston City Hospital before transferring to the Central London Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, England. He also practiced under the famous Professors Politzer and Chiari at an ENT(ear, nose and throat) clinic in Vienna.

In his research Dr. Fitzgerald developed a new system of ten zones running from the top of the head to the tips of the toes and hands. Dr. Edwin Bowers, medical critic and writer, investigated Dr. Fitzgerald's claims, appeased his own skepticism, and jointly authored with Dr. Fitzgerald the book "Zone Therapy" - the name by which reflexology was known until the early 1960's.

Eunice Ingham, who initially worked with Dr. Fitzgerald as a physical therapist, gave Dr. Joe S. Riley, one of a number of doctors and dentists who practiced Zone Therapy and helped develop it, credit for teaching her.

Eunice Ingham is generally recognized for her untiring devotion to and promotion of Zone Therapy. She toured North American cities annually giving Zone Therapy seminars, published charts and her two books: "Stories The Feet Can Tell" (1938) and "Stories The Feet Have Told" (1951), and established the "National Institute of Reflexology". Most authors of books and teachers of foot reflexology have acquired their basic knowledge directly or indirectly from Eunice Ingham's teaching. Eunice Ingham's nephew, Dwight Byers and his family have continued where Eunice Ingham left off at her death in 1974.

Nowadays in North America Barbara and Kevin Kunz are making a great contribution to the recognition of reflexology as a valuable therapy, through their practice, educational programs and scientific research in the field represented by this marvelous healing tool.

1) Reflexology is a natural healing art based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet and hands which correspond to every part of the body. Through application of pressure on particular areas of the hands and feet reflexology serves to relax tension, improve circulation and promote the natural function of the related area in the body. ...Reflexology Association of Canada

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