History of Reflexology
Reflexology, as we know it today, is a modern therapy. However, there is some historical evidence of reflexology being practised in Eqypt, Japan, India, China and by the native Indians of North America. The earliest indication dates back to ancient Egypt in 2500 BC as suggested on the Tomb of the Physician Ankhamahor, located in the necropalis (city of the dead) of Saqqara.
Reflexologists believe that this pictograph (2500-2330 BC) suggests reflexology was practiced in ancient times. The hieroglyphics translate as: "Please do not hurt me", the practitioner's reply is "I shall do so you praise me".
Dr. William Fitzgerald was the catalyst to modern day reflexology. In his research in 1913, he developed a new system of ten zones running vertically from the top of the head to the tips of the toes and hands. He identified that "constant direct pressure upon any part of a particular zone can have an anaesthetising effect on another part of the same zone". He then went on to map out zone areas on the feet and hands, calling his findings "Zone Therapy". This is how reflexology was known by until the early 1960's.
Reflexology, how we know it today, was spearheaded by the pioneering Eunice Inhgam, a physiotherapist, in the 1930's. She extended the work done by Dr. Fitzgerald and painstaikingly mapped out the feet with corresponding organs, muscles and glands of the body. Eunice Ingham is considered the "Mother of Reflexology" and gave it the name we know it as today.
"If you're feeling out of kilter, don't know why or what about, let your feet reveal the answer, find the sore spot, work it out."
- Eunice Ingham ( 1889 - 1974)