History of Reflexology
Reflexology is a complementary therapy, and modern reflexology is based on an ancient form of therapy. There is evidence of some form of foot and hand therapy being practised in ancient Egypt, as depicted on a wall painting in the tomb of Ankmahor. The therapy is also said to have been practised in ancient China, Japan and India and the early Greek health spas used reflexology style therapy for relaxation and to promote good health.
Russian physician Ivan Pavlov had research into involuntary reflex actions of the body and their connection to stress and pain. The modern reflexology begins with Dr. William H. Fitzgerald (1872-1942), he was a physician at the Boston City Hospital as well as a practicing Laryngologist at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. He discovered Zone Therapy which works on the principle that the whole body from head to toe is connected. His work had a great impact on the medical world.
In 1917, Dr. Fitzgerald wrote "Zone Therapy or Relieving Pain in the Home", two years later published it under a second title "Zone Therapy or Curing Pain and Disease". Dr. Joe Shelby Riley became very interested in the work being done by Dr. Fitzgerald and he expressed his thoughts to his staff therapist. Eunice D. Ingham (1889-1974), a Physical Therapist, worked closely with Dr. Riley and was fascinated by the concept of Zone Therapy and started developing her foot reflex theory in the early 1930's.
She mapped the feet with all the corresponding organs and glands of the body. She was a real pioneer who was persistent to help people. She had the opportunity to treat hundreds of patients where each reflex point of contact had been carefully and thoughtfully checked and rechecked until with all confidence she was able to determine that the reflexes on the feet were an exact mirror image of the organs of the body.Eunice Ingham wrote two books "Stories the Feet Can Tell" and "Stories the feet Have Told".
Working with her was her nephew, Dwight C.Byers, he started helping Eunice Ingham with his sister Eusebia Messenger at her workshops. They became responsible for the continued teaching of Reflexology under the banner of The National Institute of Reflexology. In the mid 70's Eusebia retired and Dwight Byers formed The International Institute of Reflexology®, where the theories and techniques of Reflexology were further refined. He is the current President of the International Institute of Reflexology.
Dwight Byers has shown the same dedication as his Aunt Eunice Ingham by promoting Reflexology and a healthier way of life in different countries. International Institute of Reflexology is the only organisation legally entitled to teach the Original Ingham® Method. It forms the foundation of the entire therapy.