Reflexology

History of Reflexology

It is a widely held belief that Reflexology originated in china about 5000 years ago. The oldest documentation depicting the practice of Reflexology was discovered in Egypt a pictograph (see below) dated around 2500-2330 BC was found in a tomb of an egyptian physician. Translation reads “Don’t hurt me” The practioner’s reply:- “I shall act so you praise me”.
William H Fitzgerald was believed to have discovered zone therapy and published a book titled Zone Therapy,- Releiving Pain at Home. The book describes the success he had using various devices on his hands and fingers to releive pain.
This book led to what we today know as Reflexology.

Eunice Ingham was the pioneer of the Original Ingham Method, developing the theory in 1938. The https://www.internationalinstituteofreflexology.co.uk was formed to teach this method throughout the world. Dwight Byers is her nephew and now carrys on her teachings as she died in 1974.

The general premise of reflexology is that the reflexes in the hands and feet can be triggered to send a message to a specific organ, gland or part of the body which will help to trigger a healing response.

There are 7,200 nerve endings in each foot which have extensive interconnections through the spinal cord and brain with all areas of the body. Abnormal tension leads to tightening of the muscles of the spine, the nerves are then affected resulting in pain. When tension is relaxed, the muscles cease to contract.
Blood vessels are also relaxed reducing vascular constriction allowing circulation to flow freely. Therefore all the body’s tissues, cells and organs receiving an unimpeded supply of nutrients and oxygen helping to cleanse the body of toxins and impurities.

The application of Reflexology encourages the brain to produce more endorphines while the pressure also acts to confuse the body with too many sensations to respond to, forcing the body to close the “pain gates.” This interrupts the pain cycle, eases pain and helps the body to relax.
The reflexologist doesn’t heal only the body heals. But it helps to balance all the body’s systems, stimulating an underactive area and calming an overactive one. It is harmless to those areas functioning as they should, anything that affects one part will ultimately affect the whole. Reflexology works particulary well on three specific levels – Physiological, Psychological and Spiritual.
Reflexology expels the suppressed emotions of stress, relaxing both our bodies and our attitudes to life.