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The History of Reflexology
The origin of reflexology dates way back to ancient history, when pressure therapies were used as preventive and therapeutic medicine. The evidence indicates that a form of reflexology has not only been practised through history but have featured in many cultures as well, but it is difficult to pin point when and where it all began.
The oldest documentation evidence of practice of reflexology was found in a physician's tomb in Egypt. This dates back to around 2500BC-2330BC. The wall painting shows medical practitioners treating the hands and feet of patients.
A form of reflexology was also practised in ancient India and with the dominance of Buddhist and Hindu philosophy, it is thought the Buddhist monks migrated to China, Japan, Korea, Tibet and Vietnam where a form of foot massaging and healing can be traced.
Although China had already established there own form of foot therapy massage, with the introduction of Buddhism came the Indian foot massage techniques. Previously the Chinese had been using acupuncture for healing, focusing on the longitudinal meridians, which they believed were in line with the body's energy system. The theory was when one of these meridians became blocked, it caused the pain or illness.
In Japan a form of pressure massage was used, instead of the use of needles. Hard pressure being applied by the thumbs or fingers along the meridian points thus follows in a similar way to the Chinese.
Another theory claims although there is no evidence to support it that a form of Reflexology was passed on to the native Americans by the Incas. The use of reflex pressure on the feet as a healing therapy has been practised by the North American people for generations. The Cherokee Indians of North Carolina acknowledge the importance of feet for spiritual, mental and physical balance and would incorporate sticks, oil, stones, clay masks and even hands to practice these techniques.
In the 1890's in London, Sir Henry Head in his studies discovered a neurological link between the skin and organs of the body. After years of research he discovered 'Head's Zones' or 'Zones of hyperalgesia'.
The Russian influence of Reflexology in the late 19th Century was pursued using physiological and psychological scientific tests. Ivan Pavlov developed the theory of stimulation reflexes with the brain, the stimulus and a response.
Around the same time the Germans were developing ways of treating diseases through massage, which they referred to as the 'reflex massage'. This was the first time the benefits of massage were credited as being linked with reflex actions. Dr Alfons Cornelius was one of the first to use massage on the 'reflex zones'. The story goes, that he recovered from an infection through having massages which concentrated on the areas which he found most painful, causing him to pursue this practice in his own medical work.
Dr William Fitzgerald referred to as the 'Father of reflexology' practised reflexology techniques in the USA in the early 20th Century. He practised medicine in Europe before becoming Head physician at the Ear, Nose and throat Hospital in Connecticut. It was through his own research that he became aquatinted with the theory of zone therapy. He theorised the body could be divided into 10 longitudinal zones from the head to the toes.
This can be compared to the Chinese concept of acupuncture, where the body was divided into longitudinal meridians. While working with patients Dr Fitzgerald found that by applying pressure on areas of the nose, mouth and throat it deadened the sensation on certain areas of the body. Also that by applying pressure to the hands and feet it provided pain relief, and when the pain was relived the condition that caused the pain was generally relieved. By mapping out these connections and associations, he called this 'Zone Therapy'.
Strong supporters of Dr Fitzgerald were Dr Joseph Shelby Riley and his wife Elizabeth. Riley and his wife used Dr Fitzgerald's techniques for many years in their practice. Over the years Riley refined and developed these theories.
It was Riley's assistant Eunice Ingham (1879-1974) 'The Mother of Reflexology' who made the biggest contribution to modern reflexology. It's because of Eunice and her hard work and dedication that reflexology finally established itself. Zone therapy was initially used in her work but because of the highly sensitive nature of feet she believed they should have specific targets which could influence the rest of the anatomy, so a map was devised of the feet that represented the entire body.
Initially Eunice called her therapy 'compression massage' but this later changed to 'reflexology' as she realised that by alternating pressure points rather than causing a numbing effect it promoted healing. Eunice spread the popularity of reflexology worldwide teaching the reflexology techniques and talking about its benefits. Today her nephew Dwight Byers continues with her work and he now runs the International Institute of Reflexology in St Petersburg.
References
Cressy, S. (2002) Reflexology for the VTCT Diploma, Oxford: Heinemann Educational Publishers.
Dougans, I. (2003) The Big Little Book of Reflexology, London: Thorsons.
Dougans, I. & Ellis, S. (1992) The Art of Reflexology, Dorset: Element.
Hope-Spencer, J. (1999) The Reflexology Workshop, Wiltshire: The Crowood Press Ltd
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