Reflexology History
Throughout history various cultures have utilized the feet as a means of
affecting the body and it’s health.
Evidence of the practice of reflexology in ancient culture was the
discovery of a wall painting that is dated about 2330 B.C. It was found in the
tomb of Ankhmahor (highest official after the Pharaoh) at Saqqara. Examples in variations of the practice
of reflexology existed in all of the ancient healing cultures and have been
found historically in Tibet, India, and China.
Dr. William H. Fitzgerald advanced and developed the initial practice of
reflexology that is known in our contemporary Western society. Although, it was two European
physicians, Dr. Adamus and Dr. A'tatis
that published one of the earliest books on reflexology in 1582. Dr.
Fitzgerald graduated from the University of Vermont in 1895. He practiced medicine in Boston,
Central London, and in a clinic in Vienna.
It is unknown how Dr. Fitzgerald originated his research but in 1913 he
brought his initial findings to the attention of the medical profession. He had discovered that pressure, when
applied to certain points on the body could relieve pain and improve the
functions of certain organs of the body. 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 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 was a physical therapist, was devoted to and promoted
Zone Therapy. She traveled around North American cities annually teaching about
Zone Therapy. She published charts
and two books: "Stories The Feet Can Tell" (1938) and "Stories
The Feet Have Told" (1951), and established the "National Institute
of Reflexology". It is from her teachings, still today that many authors
of books and teachers of foot reflexology have acquired their basic knowledge.
Legal
questions were raised about the practice of medicine without a license. Ms.
Ingham's book of 1945 ascribed the workings of reflexology to the nervous
system. The revised work published in 1954, deleted any such mention. In 1961
the profession of physiotherapists objected to the word "Therapy" in
the name "Zone Therapy". Hence, the name 'reflexology' was
adopted. The term
reflexology itself was considered illegal until a legal battle over the
publication of Mildred Carter's book, Helping Yourself with Foot Reflexology in
1970. The publisher's attorneys
successfully defended the publication of the book Subsequently the word could
be used to describe one's practice; it was also used in the titles of books.
Today,
reflexology has been integrated into the mainstream of health care in several
countries. It is quickly being
embraced for its provision of enhanced health, profound relaxation and
pleasure, coupled with its inherent simplicity and harmless nature.
From: Understanding the Science and
Art of Reflexology, Kevin and Barbara Kunz, Alternative and Complementary
Therapies, April/ May 1995, p.183-186
The Complete Guide to Foot
Reflexology (Third Edition), Barbara and Kevin Kunz 2005 p. 7-8
