A Short History of Reflexology

The widely held theory is that Reflexology was developed in India and China over 5000 years ago. In this part of the world pressure points were used to treat health conditions and this later developed into acupuncture and accupressure. The photo above represents the oldest documentation of a pictograph that was located in a physician's tomb in Egypt from 2330 BC. The tomb had six pictographs showing two practitioners, one working on the foot of a man and the other working on a man's hand.

Dr. Fitzgerald from the USA is considered the founder of Reflexology and practiced zone therapy in the early 1900's. Dr. Riley and his assistant Eunic Ingham learned from Dr. Fitzgerald. Today we call Eunic Ingham the 'Mother of Reflexology.' (1879-1974) Her nephew, Dwight Byers continues her work and runs the first Institute of Reflexology in the USA located in Florida.

Today Reflexology is taught and practiced all over the world. Scientific research studies have been conducted and documented in the United States, Denmark and Australia that have proven its effectiveness. The application of pressure on specific zones is known to relieve pain, reduce stress and promote better health.

Resources...
HealthLine
International Institute of Reflexology
"Touch Intuit" school for Reflexology