The Origins of Reflexology

There is an ongoing debate amongst training reflexologists today on the origins of . Some say originated from ancient Egypt. Other individuals say it originated from the Orient. Nevertheless others say it started at a later on time period. In this write-up we will see that although speculative data suggests numerous of the practices performed in ancient Egypt and the Orient have been related to modern foot reflexology did in actuality commence to manifest in 1917 with Dr. Fitzgerald and later expanded to what is becoming practiced currently. Also, due to the fact this write-up is only an overview of what is staying discussed today; it will not consist of all pertinent details and research on the beginnings of foot reflexology. Egypt Past The only proof readily available today of a probable kind of foot reflexology in the previous was the discovery of a wall painting that was dated at 2330 B.C. The painting depicts, according to Egyptologists, two practitioners applying what appears to be finger pressure to certain points on a foot and hand to two recipients in the tomb of Ankhmahor (highest official following the Pharaoh) at Saqqara, which is also identified as the physicians tomb. Along with the wall painting, hieroglyphics had been located as very well. The translation of the hieroglyphics is as follows: "Really don't hurt me." The practitioners reply: - "I shall act so you praise me. " At this time, no determination has been produced if there is a relationship amongst the ancient art as practiced by the early Egyptians and foot reflexology as we know it these days. Prior to the discovery of the wall painting, it was broadly believed that foot reflexology had ancient origins and frequent arguments were created about its romantic relationship to and improvement alongside the ancient Oriental practices of shiatsu and . The Beginning of Modern Foot and Hand foot reflexology Dr. William Fitzgerald studied at the University of Vermont and graduated in 1895. For two and a half years he practiced medicine in Boston City Hospital before transferring to the Central London Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, England. He also practiced under the well-known Professors Politzer and Chiari at an ear, nose and throat clinic in Vienna. It is believed that even though in Vienna, Dr. Fitzgerald studies the papers on stress therapy, which led him to study these theories further. It was this research that led him to refine the zone theory. Dr. Fitzgeralds Initial Findings In 1913 Dr. Fitzgerald brought his initial findings to the consideration of the medical profession

while he was head of the Nose and Throat Division of St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. He discovered that pressure, when applied to certain points on the body, could relieve pain and enhances the functions of specific organs of the body. In his research Dr. Fitzgerald created a technique of ten zones operating from the top rated of the head to the tips of the toes and hands. Dr. Edwin Bowers, medical critic and writer, investigated Dr. Fitzgerald's claims and, immediately after satisfying his skepticism, jointly authored with Dr. Fitzgerald the book "Zone Therapy". Functioning closely with Dr. Fitzgerald was a different medical medical doctor by the name of Dr. Joe Shelby Riley. The Horizontal Reflexes Are Mapped In 1924, because of his research with Dr. Fitzgerald, Dr. Riley published a book known as Zone Reflex. In his book Dr. Riley, for the initial time in recorded historical past, suggests the existence of horizontal zones going across the body in an orderly pattern. He also created the 1st in depth drawings of reflexes on the feet and hands that advised a shape of the human body with the guidelines of the fingers and toes corresponding to the head and the heel of the feet and hands corresponding to the reduce elements of the body. In his book, Dr. Riley also included an illustration of the outer ear with just a handful of stress points. For the duration of Dr. Rileys investigation, physical therapist Eunice D. Ingham worked closely with Dr. Riley and was fascinated with his investigation and started out creating her foot reflex theory in the early 1930's. She proceeded to treat hundreds of sufferers exactly where she meticulously checked and rechecked each reflex point until she determined that the reflexes on the feet were an precise mirror image of the organs of the body. After Eunice reported her findings to Dr. Riley, he encouraged her to write her very first book entitled "Stories the Feet Can Tell" exactly where she documented her instances and very carefully mapped out the reflexes on the feet as we know them today. This book was published in 1938 and was later on translated into seven foreign languages, which spread the positive aspects of foot reflexology beyond the borders of the United States. Confusion in between foot reflexology and Zone Treatment began to arise at this point simply because a foreign publisher altered the title of Eunices book to "Zone Therapy." Nonetheless, there is a distinct distinction between the two therapies. Zone Treatment relies solely on the zones to ascertain the place to be worked, whereas foot reflexology requires the zones as well as the anatomical model to decide the area or locations to be worked. Foot reflexology has had an exciting and colorful evolution. What 1 need to keep in mind is that despite the fact that it is important that reflexologists know the origins of their trade it is equally vital to hold in thoughts that foot reflexology is a healing modality that have to be practiced with adore and compassion so our clientele can receive the total advantage of our practice.