The History of Reflexology

It is known that the history of Reflexology stretches far into antiquity because illustrations, texts, and artifacts show that, in at least some form, manipulation of feet for positive purposes was practised in the ancient cultures of China, Egypt, India, Japan and Russia. Unfortunately, however, relatively little is known about the attitudes, theories, or even the names given to such practises during those times.

There are various accounts of the practise of massage/manipulation of the feet being performed across Europe during the Middle Ages. Harry Bond Bressler argued that a form of Reflexology was practised across the European social classes during the 14th Century. It is also claimed that the Florentine Sculptor Cellini (1500 - 1571) used pressure on hands and feet to relieve pain. A book about this was published in 1582.

Modern Reflexology emerged in the United States during the early years of the twentieth century and was initially known as "Zone Therapy". In 1913 the American surgeon William Fitzgerald (1872 - 1942) described a system of zones on the hands, feet and tongue that he argued were related to other parts of the body. Medical journalist Dr. Edwin Bowers recommended that Fitzgerald's method be termed "Zone Therapy". Subsequently, other American medical doctors, incl. George Starr White and Joe and Elizabeth Riley also wrote books on the subject. Fitzgerald extended this work and publicised it by teaching courses and seminars on the subject.

Eunice Ingham was an American Massage Therapist/Physiotherapist who studied zone therapy under the supervision of Dr. Joe Riley. She went on to become the main pioneer of modern reflexology (though zone theory remains the basis of foot reflexology and is usually incorporated into treatments). During the 1930s Eunice Ingham refined 'Zone Theory' into 'Foot Reflexology'. She published two books, "Stories the Feet can Tell" in 1938, and "Stories the Feet have told" in 1963.

In 1966 Doreen Bailey, a former student of Eunice Ingham, returned to England from America and became the pioneer of Reflexology in England.

There are also many modern contributors to the field of Reflexology.
These include Ann Gillanders [7] .
Chris Stormer's analysis of how to interpret aspects of different parts of the feet [8] is now well-known, and a standard text used by many Reflexology Tutors.
Inge Dougans is also known for her work concerning the interrelationship between Reflexology (specifically the reflex points/zones) and the Meridian Lines usually associated with Chinese Medicine [9].

To the main Reflexology page.

IvyRose thanks Mr. Arthur Francis Hornby (Preston, Lancs.) for permission to use his feet in our illustrations.