The How, What, Where, Why and When?

Reflexology is a natural, alternative therapy. It is a science that deals with the principle that all parts of the feet and hands correspond to all glands, organs and parts of the body. Reflexology is a unique thumb and finger technique on the reflex areas.

Its first recording was in 2330 BC where a scroll was found in anchomor’s tomb (the next highest official after the king). The scroll pictured two slaves treating the hands and feet, and the inscription translation was “Please do not hurt me” the slaves reply, “I shall act so you praise me”.

In the 20th Century, President Garfield received reflexology for the effects of an attempted assassination. A Dr Bowers and Dr Fitzgerald developed and published many articles on zone analgesia. In the 1930’s a Dr Riley supported a woman named Eunice Ingham (a physiotherapist) who developed reflexology and the zone theory. Her main achievements were discovering the mirror image of the body’s glands and organs on the feet and the applying of various pressures creating healing effects on the body. She dedicated her life to informing the public and non-medical groups about reflexology. She died in 1974 aged 85, Dwight (her nephew) and Nancy Byers his wife are still practising her techniques and theories today. Dwight is now the president of the IIR the only school that is registered to teach the “Ingham” method of reflexology.

For further information regarding reflexology visit this Further Reading