Reflexology as it is known in the West today had its origins in the study of Zone Therapy. This practice utilised the longitudinal lines of energy that run through the body starting at the feet and moving up to the brain.
In the early 20th Century Dr William Fitzgerald spent time broadening his medical experience at various hospitals. At a post in an American hospital where he was head of an ear, nose and throat department, he brought to the attention of the medical world his research into the ancient Chinese healing techniques.
He had discovered that by applying pressure to the feet he could bring about an increase in the functioning of other parts of the body.
By chance a Eunice Ingham, a physiotherapist at a hospital overhead talk on Dr Fitzgerald’s findings and was immediately fascinated by his discoveries as to the benefits brought about by Zone Therapy.
In her practice at an orthopaedic hospital she introduced the practice of Zone Therapy after post operative surgical procedures on her patients, noticing that it speeded up the body’s natural healing and that they were able to move quicker after the operation. Eunice Ingham introduced Zone Therapy or Reflexology as we know it today.
In 1930 Eunice Ingham started a private practice as a Reflexologist. She was instrumental in writing the first book on Reflexology and was later to open a teaching school dedicated specifically to train students in the practice of Reflexology.
Eunice Ingham dedicated forty years of her life to Reflexology but sadly passed away in 1952.
