Reflexology is an applied pressure therapy.

This holistic healing therapy works on the

principle, that each body part is represented on the feet and hands of an individual. The
foot acts as a map of the entire body. By pressing specific areas called reflexes on the feet
and hands, one can produce therapeutic effects in other parts of the body. When these
areas are pressed they stimulate the flow of energy and release blockages.

Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that "vital energy" or "life force", flows and
permeates the entire organs of the body, including every living cell and tissue.
Subsequently, if this flow becomes impeded in the human body it is reflected on the
hands and feet of the individual. Through the correct application of pressure the
stagnated energy or "Chi" gets unblocked. It is believed that without the proper flow of
energy, the body slowly starts to manifest disease.

A reflexologist can diagnose illness by feeling the feet or the hands. By stimulating the
Reflex Areas and Reflex Zones (nerve endings) of the feet, the blockages are detected
through the experience of pain or presence of crystal deposits. This is found to occur in
parts of the foot and hands that relates to the corresponding body part that is
imbalanced. A reflexologist, by using specific massage and pressure techniques
dissipates the problem. The science of reflexology helps to relieve ailments by
encouraging the release of toxins, improve the working of circulatory and lymphatic
systems, thereby helping the body to heal itself.

The practice of reflexology is known from ancient times. The most common theory is
that the earliest form of this therapy originated in China around 5000 years ago. Many
healing systems originated from the early Taoists. Ancient Chinese used pressure points
on the feet for healing the whole body. There are however many theories of the origins of
this therapy. Several drawings over the years have been unearthed from other parts of
Asia (India, Japan and china) showing diagrams of healing through the use of pressure
points at the feet and hands.

Evidence on the use of reflexology has been also unearthed in Egypt in the tomb of
Ankmahor at Saqqara. The tomb holds a series of hieroglyphs which shows a relatively
detailed foot treatment. And hence the tomb is often popularly referred to the
'Physician's tomb'. These finds are estimated to date back to about 2330 B.C. It has
hence helped to fuel the theory that this holistic healing art has in fact originated from
ancient Egypt.

Another version on the origins of Reflexology believed by several historians is that it was
practiced by the Incas. They were the people of the ancient Peruvian civilization in Latin
America, dating back all the way to 12,000 B.C. It is said these natives passed down the
knowledge of this therapy to the North American Indians, the Cherokee tribes around
seventeenth century who still use this form of therapy to cure themselves of ailments.

One cannot draw a definite conclusion on the origins of Reflexology. However, we can
gather and speculate from the knowledge we have.

We do know that India and China have shared strong bonds in the past with trade, and
in education. India had several established universities and scholars who had attracted
many disciples to come across the borders to gain and share their knowledge. Hence, the
development of many alternative therapies and disciplines like acupressure,
acupuncture, reiki and reflexology to name a few have such deep roots in India. Many of
these share several common traits however bifurcating into their own medium. Hence
the true origins or success of many of these therapies may have a patchy and sometimes
confusing history. To pinpoint a solely individual or country for its development can be
nearly impossible with many schools of thought. Nonetheless, we can safely say that
these fine healing arts had been so highly successful, that it had grown in popularity
during the ages and managed to stay alive even today, being shared and developed by its
users.

The 16th Century was a very interesting time for the development of modern medicine,
as we know it. It was a time packed with medical inventions and discoveries for the
European content. Dr. Andreas Vesalius - celebrated as father of modern Anatomy,
published his landmark treatises called 'De humani corporis fabrica libri septem' in
1543. The invention of the microscope during the end of the century meant that we were
opened to a whole new world of understanding diseases.

Science for the first time was given freedom to be asked questions such as how, why,
what, who? And hence the flood gates opened giving answers with the publication of
research papers, books and magazines.

One of the earliest books to be written on Reflexology was published in 1582, by two
eminent European physicians, Dr. A'tatis and Dr. Adamus. A second book on this topic
was published by a Dr. Bell from Germany, Leipzig.

However, it was Dr.William Fitzgerald, who developed the practice of reflexology in

Europe. He therefore was known as the father of reflexology.

Dr. William Fitzgerald graduated in 1895 from the University of Vermont. He went on to
successfully work in an ear, nose, and throat hospital in England. Here he researched
and developed as a professional becoming the head of the nose and throat department at
St. Francis in Hartford, Connecticut.
The stepping stones on the path to holding the title of "father of reflexology" only came
about in 1913. It was then he first brought his initial findings to the attention of other
professionals in his field.

He promulgated the "Zone Theory". He discovered that pressure, when applied to

certain points on the body could provide numbness and relieve pain and improve the
functions of certain organs of the body.

It was his continued research which led him to formulate the division of the body into 10
equal longitudinal energy zones: five relating to the right half of the body and the five to
the left half. These ten energy zones terminate on the soles of the feet and the palms of
the hands. He along with Dr. Edwin Bowers authored the book, 'Zone Therapy'. Hence,
until the early 1960's reflexology was known by the name "Zone Therapy".

In the 1930's Eunice Ingham (1889-1974) further developed foot reflexology through her
research. For the first time correlationship was looked at between the anatomical
structure of the body and the energy zones located on the foot.

Eunice Ingham discovered that pressure applied to specific

reflex points on the feet could help to relieve pain. She went
on to publish her findings in two well-known books, "Stories
the feet can tell"(1938) and "Stories the feet have
told"(1963). Eunice Ingham gave reflexology a new face. Her
theories are still studied today and form much of the basis of
reflexology. She later became recognized as "The father of
Modern Reflexology".

With the Research and ideas of specialists like Eunice Ingham, Dr. William Fitzgerald,
Dr. A'tatis, Dr. Adamus, Dr. Ball we know that Reflexology is an ancient healing
technique that encourages the body to work naturally and achieve its own healthy
balance.

This popular art of healing is based on the principle, that there is electrical energy or
vital energy flowing throughout the body along the channels that make up the nervous
system. The Vital energy traverses the body in an exact and orderly patterns.

When the energy is allowed to flow un-obstructively through these channels called
meridians, there is believed to be physical and mental well-being. However, if the energy
flows are blocked or stagnant the body becomes unwell.

The meridian pathways or channels are electrical pathways that carry the vital energy
throughout the body. They have their endings in the hands and feet. It is these channels
and nerve endings that form the core of reflexology treatment.

Reflexology is a holistic therapy, which uses pressure techniques on the reflexes of the
feet or hands to remove energy blocks. After immense dedicated research the body had
been divided into 10 equal energy zones, five on either side of a median line, extending
from the fingers up to the brain and down to the toes. Five zones relate to the right half
of the body and five to the left half.

All the organs and muscles of the body are found within the longitudinal zones and the
corresponding reflexes are hence found in the same zones on the hands and feet. To
locate all the reflex areas of these parts it hence becomes essential to study the skeletal
structure with correlation to the longitudinal zone and points.

The energy blocks in the zones may be caused due to stress, a poor diet, an improper
lifestyle pattern, or even unhealthy relationships. Reflexology treatment coupled with
counseling sessions help in finding solutions to problems that create unhealthy
conditions.

"Medical reflexology is a complimentary, biological, integrative

health science, through which an exercise pressure is applied to
reflex areas formed by 7,200 nerve endings in each hand and foot,
encouraging improved instruction to each and every single gland
organ and part of the body, thus persuading the body to biologically
correct, strengthen and reinforce itself to reach balance,
normalization and homeostasis."

- Professor Lorraine J.Telepo