The History of Refloxology and How It Works
HISTORY
Reflexology has been an original method of healing and helping without the use of surgery or medication for over 5000 years. It has its roots in eastern philosophy where the healing arts are used as a route to the wholeness of the individual.
As early as 5000 years ago the science of reflexology was known in India. Buddhism and Hinduism are two of the oldest religions in the world. In these religions the feet are thought to symbolise the unity of the universe and the Ultimate One. Buddhism migrated to the east and along with it foot massage therapy. Within TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) reflexology is a sub division that stems from thousands of year of philosophy and theory of health and disease.
'A Chinese doctor from 2c BC writes about a doctor named Yufu, (yu=healing fu=foot), who only worked with massage and stated that "illness responded to every stroke of his.'" 1
The oldest documentation that could be interpreted as the practice of reflexology was brought back to europe in 1979 by Dr Gwendoline Raines. It consists of an Egyptian papyrus scene dating from 2500BC and depicts the treating of hands and feet of patients by medical practitioners. 2
In the tomb at Saqqara of the physician Ankhamor, an influential official second only to the king, there is a wall painting depicting the possible practice of reflexology. It is dated from about 2330BC. The hieroglyphics behind the patient and practitioner are translated as the patient's plea 'Do no hurt me' and the practitioner's reply, 'I shall act so you praise me.'
The biggest influence on the practice of reflexology comes from America. The North American Indians alluded to the human spirit as being interconnected with the universe, with the energy channelling through the physical body by the feet being planted on the earth, hence the expression 'plantar', which corresponds to the sole of the foot in contact with the earth. There are no recorded accounts of the working of reflexes but there are living descendants within certain tribes who confirm various methods of practice working with the feet. 3
DEVELOPMENT
Dr William Fitzgerald (b 1872) was an ENT physician who gained his medical degree in Vienna in 1895. He conducted studies with zone therapy (origins dating from 16c). Dr Fitzgerald's work included applying pressure with a variety of gadgets including, pegs, combs and elastic bands, to areas on the body corresponding to ten zones that divided the body from the fingers and toes to the top of the head. His colleague, Dr Edwin Bowers, published the first article on the subject in 1915.
Dr Riley, an American doctor, further developed the idea of zone therapy and used this therapy extensively in his practice for many years, probably more than any other method of healing. He made detailed drawings and diagrams of reflex points located on the feet. Dr Riley developed the 'hooking' technique when he dispensed with Dr Fitzgerald's idea of using gadgets to work the reflexes. Some of the principles of zone therapy are applied in reflexology treatments today, for instance, when treating the joints the relationship of the cross reflexes may be applied, i.e. treating the shoulder reflex in relation to a hip problem.
Mrs Eunice Ingham was one of Dr Riley's students of zone therapy and she became the main pioneer of reflexology as it is know today. She was first to describe reflexology in its modern form. Her two books, Stories Feet Can Tell and Stories Feet Have Told, were probably the first to be written on the subject of reflexology.
Reflexology was introduced to Great Britain in the 1960's by Mrs Doreen Bayly, a student of Eunice Ingham and she is considered by many to be the pioneer of reflexology in Great Britain.
HOW IT WORKS
"The January 1973 issue of Vogue magazine described the principle that makes reflexology work as 'a theory which boils down to this: There are channels of energy coursing through the body, each important organ and muscle is connected by a network of nerves to a tiny point on the foot where the energy terminates. As circulation in the feet slows down - through illness, wearing shoes, or lack of exercise - crystalline deposits form at the nerve endings. By deep-compression foot massage, the deposits are broken up, encouraging the whole body to keep perking along at peak efficiency." 4
Reflexology works with the pattern of our body's energy flow and reflexology massage relies on the co-operation of natural forces with the body to aid the process of healing. By massaging the reflexes of the feet an increase in the blood circulation takes place. Tension is relaxed throughout the nervous system. This releases the strain under which the body is suffering, which restores the normal energy flow, thus helping to bring the body back to the normal balance necessary for good health. The role of reflexology is to aid the body in attaining balance in all its functions in every system.
CURRENT PRACTICE
Today there are many reflexology organisations worldwide. Over the last 20 years training standards and methods of practice have developed and become more sophisticated in the requirements for the professional practice of reflexology.
"A growing understanding of the human being as an energetic, multi-layered being whose life and vitality depends on contributory life style factors, perceptions of life events, emotional response, mental attitudes and spiritual awareness, has led to and encouraged investigation from health care professionals and the individual into the new area of how to keep a healthy body, mind and spirit. This growing understanding has flourished and has developed reflexology, and holistic health care philosophies generally, into more clinical methods of practice." 5
It is understood that reflexology is a holistic therapy. It is important as well to see reflexology as a complimentary therapy, for the reflexologist to work with conditions that patients present and to have a collaborative relationship with the medical profession in the care and outcomes of treatment for the their patients.
FOOTNOTES
- The Reflexology Workshop - p 16
- The Reflexology Workshop - p 17
- The Reflexology Workshop - p 19
- Reflexology - technique of foot massage for health and fitness acknowledgement page
- The Reflexology Workshop - p 12
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Reflexology - technique of foot massage for health and fitness By Anna Kay & Don C Matchan
Thorsons Publications 1978 - Reflexology Today Doreen Bayly
Healing Arts Press 1982 - The Reflexology Workshop Jenny Hop-Spencer
The Crowood Press Ltd 1999 - The Complete Illustrated Guide to Reflexology Inge Dougans
Element Books 1996 - Reflexology - A way to better health Nicola Hall
New Leaf 1998