What is Reflexology
Reflexology is based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet and hands which correspond to every part of the body. By stimulating and applying pressure to the feet or hands, you are increasing circulation and promoting specific bodily and muscular functions.
Reflexology is viewed by some as a relaxing massage while others view it as a holistic therapy that works through the feet by releasing the stresses and imbalances found in the many meridian points located throughout the feet.
Reflexology is based on the idea that a complete map of the human body is reflected on to the hands and feet.
Reflexology gently nudges the body towards better functioning by improving lymphatic drainage and venous circulation, simulation to the nerve pathways, and muscle relaxation.
History of Reflexology
No one culture can claim to have discovered Reflexology because people have used different forms of working on the feet to effect health all over the world since the beginning of time. Evidence of working on the feet has been found in the form of drawings and statues in the countries of Indian, Japan, China and part of Europe. Using the feet as a source of healing can be traced back to several different American Indian tribes and the earliest evidence of therapeutic work on hands and feet has been found in Egypt in the form of wall drawings in the Physician's tomb, 2500 year BC. Marco Polo, and other missionaries to China, are credited with bringing the ancient Chinese massage technique into Europe.
Throughout the history of humankind the feet have played an important part of healing practices. Reflexology goes back to As information is gathered it seems that variations of the modern practice of reflexology existed in all of the ancient healing cultures.
The most concrete evidence of the practice of reflexology 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, which is also known as the physicians tomb. This Egyptian wall painting is dated at the 6th dynasty, about 2330 B.C..
As information is gathered it seems that variations of the modern practice of reflexology existed in all of the ancient healing cultures. In our 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 after this 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 William Fitzgerald deserves the credit for establishing the basis of modern Reflexology. He discovered the zones and developed a treatment called Zone Therapy. Fitzgerald noticed while treating patients for the same disorder with a minor operation that some would feel great pain and others very little. He investigated this and discovered that some patients were producing anaesthetic effects upon themselves by applying pressure to areas of the body. He tested these theories on his patients. He found that if pressure was applied on the fingers it would create an anaesthetic effect on the hand, arm & shoulder, right up to the jaw, ear & nose! He carried out minor surgery using this knowledge. Using this he worked out the zones in the body, which we use today.
Fitzgerald and his colleague Edwin Bowers tried to convince colleagues of the validity of the therapy. They used to apply pressure to the person's hand then stick a needle into the part of the face, which they knew to be anaesthetised!
In 1915 Bowers wrote his first article to publicly declare the effects of Zone Therapy entitled 'Stop the Toothache, Squeeze your toe'.
In 1917 the book 'Zone Therapy' was published. It was not well received throughout the medical profession (some things don't really change!) However, one physician called Joseph Riley was impressed with the findings. It was his research assistant Eunice Ingham who made the greatest contribution to modern Reflexology.
Eunice Ingham, an American physiotherapist, further developed this theory in the 1930’s with her “Reflex Method of Compression Massage”, which stipulated that all parts of the body could be treated by pressing specific areas of the feet and hands. She produced a map outlining these reflex points, as well as highlighting various techniques that could used to stimulate them.
Ingham’s reflex point theory forms the basis of what constitutes modern day reflexology. Her maps of the feet and hands are still seen as the essential blueprints by which today’s practitioners formulate their treatment practices.
Interesting Facts
Apparently reflexology loosens up the system and releases toxins so it is important to drink lots of water to flush the system out.
Asian reflexology is generally a lot quicker and painful than western reflexology which tends to take longer and is a lot more tolerable.
In Germany, reflexology can only be administered by a registered health professional.
Dr Fitzgerald, founder of Zone Therapy, found that if pressure was applied on the fingers it would create an anaesthetic effect on the hand, arm and shoulder, right up to the jaw, ear and nose.
It is possible to practice reflexology on oneself.
In Japan and Denmark, reflexology has been incorporated into the employee health programs of several large corporations saving each company thousands of dollars annually in paid out sick leave benefits.
