“Exploring reflexology, just a treat for your feet? ”
Reflexology is a strange word that conjures up many images from physics equations to 80's pop! So what is reflexology?
Reflexology is the practice of applying pressure to the feet or hands using specific thumb, finger and hand techniques. Reflexology should be an incredibly pleasurable non-invasive treatment, you just take off your shoes, sit back and let a qualified therapist provide a treatment tailored to your needs.
Reflexology can help you and your body cope with the pressures of everyday life, or be used to help you manage a specific problem such as fertility or maternity issues. Reflexology can help people to feel calmer and more relaxed.
During the treatment reflexologists use pressure, stretch and movement to work through the whole foot methodically. The treatment begins with a soothing, relaxing foot massage. After the massage reflexology works specific points and areas on the foot which reflect specific areas on the body. Reflexologists believe the feet can be mapped to represent all the corresponding organs and glands of the body. Due to the highly sensitive nature of feet reflexology pinpoints specific targets and a map has been devised of the feet that represented the entire body. According to the principles of reflexology by working all the reflex points the treatments can help the whole body. It is a holistic treatment, aiming to help the person as a whole.
This all sounds quite confusing and hard to believe, but when you read many of the positive reports and research it becomes more convincing. I can confirm it feels amazing and really produces a wonderful feeling of tranquilty and calmness. What's more you don't have to understand how it works, you just lie back and enjoy!
History suggests that long before the birth of modern medicine tactile manipulation or touch has been used in one way or another in every part of the world. The evidence can be found in many early medical texts. As more information is collected it seems that variations of the modern practice of reflexology existed in all of the ancient civilizations. The origin of reflexology, therefore, dates back to ancient history, when pressure therapies were used for preventive and therapeutic medicine. Since evidence suggests that some form of reflexology has been practised throughout history and in many cultures, it is difficult to ascertain when and where it actually originated.
The oldest documented practice of reflexology was found in a physician's tomb in Egypt. This dates back to around 2500BC-2330BC. The wall painting shows medical practitioners treating the hands and feet of patients.
A type of reflexology was also practised in ancient India and it is thought the Buddhist monks from India migrated to China, Japan, Korea, Tibet and Vietnam where forms of foot massaging and healing have been discovered.
Reflexology in the Twentieth Century .
Dr William Fitzgerald is referred to as the 'Father of reflexology'. He practised reflexology techniques in the USA in the early 20th Century. He practised medicine in Europe before becoming a Head physician at a hospital in Connecticut. In 1913 he noted that pressure on specific parts of the body could have an anaesthetising effect on a related area elsewhere in the body. It was through his own research that he began to form the theory of zone therapy. Developing this theory, he divided the body into ten equal and vertical zones, ending in the fingers and toes. He concluded that pressure on one part of a zone could affect everything else within that zone.
Dr Joseph Shelby Riley and his wife Elizabeth were strong supporters of Dr. Fitzgerald and they used his techniques for many years in their practice . Dr. Riley continued Dr. Fitzgerald's work and researched the technique still further. It was Riley's assistant, a physiotherapist in St Petersburg named Eunice Ingham (1879-1974) who some believe made the biggest contribution to modern reflexology therapy. Eunice Ingham is now known as 'The Mother of Reflexology'. She extended the work of Dr Fitzgerald and comprehensively mapped the feet with all the corresponding organs and glands of the body. She initially used Zone therapy in her work but because of the highly sensitive nature of feet she believed they should have more specific targets and a map was devised of the feet that represented the entire body. Eunice Ingham is still considered the pioneer of modern reflexology. She wrote two influential books, “Stories the Feet Can Tell” and “Stories the Feet Have Told”. She worked with her nephew, Dwight Byers, and founded the International Institute of reflexology so that her work and reflexology therapy could be developed and continued into the future. Eunice Ingham died in 1974 after working for the majority of her life towards developing reflexology as recognised and valued profession.
Reflexology was introduced to Great Britain in the 1960's by Mrs Doreen Bayly, who studied under Eunice Ingham. Doreen Bayly went on to open a school teaching the Eunice Ingham method. Her reflexology course was originally one weekend of practical training, and each participant was issued a certificate. This later progressed to two weekends of training to allow the student time to practise between visits to the school. When first established all the students were given a certificate without an assessment or examination, unlike the comprehensive assessments preferred today. Doreen Bayly died in 1976.
During this time in the UK retired Nurse Gladys Evans was also working on the feet with a combination of zone therapy and pressure points. Gladys Evans practised from her London home. Contradicting the Eunice Ingham method, which advocates strong pressure is applied, Gladys Evans was of the opinion that the pressure used for reflexology should be firm enough not to tickle the client but not too heavy as to cause pain or discomfort. She believed too much pressure caused tension in the muscles in the client's body, which then compromises the blood supply and leads to a build up of toxins. She also felt that the infliction of pain would lead to further stress instead of inducing relaxation to promote healing. Gladys Evans exchanged her knowledge with various interested clients, friends and other practitioners of various reflexology methods.