Reflexology

Reflexology is a study of precise reflex points onparts of the body, including the feet, hands, ears and face. It believes that the body is represented as a minute mirror image reflecting every organ and representing it through a series of reflex points. The feet are most commonly used during the treatment, but the hands, ears, and face can also be used if access to the feet is restricted. Using precise thumb and finger techniques while working on these specific points releases tension and helps the body to seek its own equilibrium, encouraging the clients own healing systems to activate, and restore the free flow of energy throughout the whole body, and thus promoting sustainable wellbeing. There is some similarity between Reflexology and TCM between the theory of zones and the meridians. Throughout its development, Charts were developed showing points on the soles, sides and tops of the feet. The right foot corresponds to the right side of the body. Where there are dual organs, e.g. lungs they are represented on both feet, whereas the spleen or liver are represented only on their appropriate foot. Therapists believe that crystalline deposits of waste products, usually calcium and uric acid concentrate around the reflex points providing the therapist with a ‘peculiar’ feeling at that particular point. By working on these points it helps to break down the deposits and encourages elimination and stimulates the circulation.

Brief History of Reflexology

The ancient healing art of Reflexology has been known to man and practiced by many diverse cultures for many thousands of years. Although its origins are unclear it is thought to have been first practiced by the early Chinese and Egyptian peoples so its roots probably lie in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapies such as acupuncture, or shiatsu. Some speculate that the Incas invented this ancient art around 12,000 BC, however the first documented evidence that such a therapy was practiced came from a tomb found in Saqqara in Egypt, dating back to 2330BC.
4,000 years later, in 1582 two books on zone therapy were published in Europe by eminent physicians from Leipzig, Germany, Dr.Adamus, Dr.Atatis and Dr. Ball. It was not until the early 20th Century that Dr. William Fitzgerald (1872 – 1942) introduced this therapy to the West. A graduate of medicine from the University of Vermont, he went on to specialise in ENT working in Austria as consultant to Professor Politzer, and Professor Otto Chiari whose works are known wherever medical textbooks are read. He worked for some years in the ENT hospital in Central London, before returning as Senior ENT Consultant at St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut. It was here that he developed his concept and introduced the ancient art of Zone Therapy to the medical world. He discovered that by applying gentle pressure to certain points of the hands and feet had an anaesthetic effect on certain parts of the body. He performed minor surgery without using an anaesthetic. Along with a colleague, Dr. Edwin Bowers they published a joint paper in 1917 identifying the 10 longitudinal zones of the body and outlined the various organs within these zones on body chart. They called this Zonal Therapy. Another colleague, Dr. Joseph Shelby-Riley took particular interest in the theory and he introduced the horizontal zones in 1920. Eunice Ingham (1889-1974) a physiotherapist, was his most famous pupil, she developed the theory further by identifying the precise zone pathways. She believed that the body responded to pressure on defined areas and observed that congestion or tension in any part of the foot mirrored congestion or tension in a related part of the body. She dedicated her whole life to teaching this therapy. Doreen Bailey was a student of Inghams and brought Reflexology to England where she set up a training school in 1968. Nicola Hall took over the direction of the school in 1979 on the death of Doreen Bailey, and subsequently brought Reflexology to Ireland in the early 1980’s. Reflexology is acknowledged to be one of the most popular therapies available throughout the world today.