The origins of Reflexology are believed to date back some 5,000 years. This ancient healing therapy was first used in India, China and Egypt, Similarly, North and South American Indian medicine men are believed to manipulate and stimulate the feet as a part of their healing practice.
In the 16th Century two European Doctors Atamis and Adamus wrote a book on the concept of zones.
In the 1890s a Neurologist, Sir Henry Head developed the concept of 'Head Zones' he discovered that certain zones of the skin reflected the state of the internal organs and that massage, injections and heat could have an effect on that corresponding organ.
In the early 19th Century, an American ENT Surgeon and Physician, Dr William Fitzgerald founded Zone Therapy. Fitzgerald discovered that if there was pain in a zone of the body, it could be alleviated by applying deep pressure to another part of the body in that same zone, he also found that by using this method it was possible to remove the cause of the pain and therefore heal the patient.
In 1906 Sir Charles Scott Sherrington, an English Physiologist and pioneer in Neurophysiology, developed a greater understanding of the nervous system and reflexes in relation to our understanding of pain perception, reaction and behaviour. He received the Noble Peace Prize for his work in 1932.
In the 1930's Eunice Ingham an American Physiotherapist further pioneered the work of Dr Fitzgerald. Through extensive research she concluded that foot reflex points were an exact mirror image of the placement of organs and glands in the body, providing the foot charts we use today. She further developed techniques to enhance and improve the practice of Reflexology and put forward the theory of crystal deposits in the feet.
Doreen Bayley, who trained with Eunice Ingham brought reflexology back to the UK in 1964
In the 16th Century two European Doctors Atamis and Adamus wrote a book on the concept of zones.
In the 1890s a Neurologist, Sir Henry Head developed the concept of 'Head Zones' he discovered that certain zones of the skin reflected the state of the internal organs and that massage, injections and heat could have an effect on that corresponding organ.
In the early 19th Century, an American ENT Surgeon and Physician, Dr William Fitzgerald founded Zone Therapy. Fitzgerald discovered that if there was pain in a zone of the body, it could be alleviated by applying deep pressure to another part of the body in that same zone, he also found that by using this method it was possible to remove the cause of the pain and therefore heal the patient.
In 1906 Sir Charles Scott Sherrington, an English Physiologist and pioneer in Neurophysiology, developed a greater understanding of the nervous system and reflexes in relation to our understanding of pain perception, reaction and behaviour. He received the Noble Peace Prize for his work in 1932.
In the 1930's Eunice Ingham an American Physiotherapist further pioneered the work of Dr Fitzgerald. Through extensive research she concluded that foot reflex points were an exact mirror image of the placement of organs and glands in the body, providing the foot charts we use today. She further developed techniques to enhance and improve the practice of Reflexology and put forward the theory of crystal deposits in the feet.
Doreen Bayley, who trained with Eunice Ingham brought reflexology back to the UK in 1964
