ORIGINSReflexology originated in China, about 4000 B.C, However evidence of using pressure points for healing show that the practice was famous across other parts of Asia. Ancient Egypt is also believed to have used reflexology, as shown on hieroglyphs unearthed from the tomb of Ankmahor at Saqqar.
Reflexology was re-discovered between 1915 & 1917, by an american, Dr. Fiztegerald, who named it, the 'Zone Theory'. The zone theory divides the body into ten vertical zones, 5 on the right, and 5 on the left. All parts of the body can be accessed through the zones. Each zone corresponds to organs in the human body. zone therapy works directly on the nervous system. In the early 1930's Eunice D. Ingham, a physical therapist, began developing her own foot reflex therapy, which she checked thoroughly on thousands of patients until she was certain that the "reflexes on the feet were an exact mirror image of the organs in the body". Zone therapy is often confused with reflexology. Zone therapy uses only the vertical zones, whereas reflexology uses the zones as well as the anatomical model to determine the area to work with. Reflexology works by stimulating the nervous system to release tension. Reflexology uses charts for a better understanding and as reference for Reflexologists, Practioners of reflexology include; Chiropractors, Physical Therapists and Massage Therapists. |