Aviante health and wellness center

The Origins of Reflexology
By David Uriel Ibarra Reflexologist/Reiki Master-Teacher March 1, 2004

There is an ongoing debate among practicing reflexologists today on the origins of Reflexology. Some say Reflexology originated from ancient Egypt. Others say it originated from the Orient. Yet others say it began much later with the research accomplished by Dr. William Fitzgerald and Dr. Joe Shelby Riley, which culminated in books called “Zone Therapy” and “Zone Reflex” respectively. In this article we, as new and seasoned reflexologists, will see that although speculative information suggests many of the practices performed in ancient Egypt and the Orient were similar to Reflexology, modern Reflexology did in fact begin to manifest in 1917 with Dr. Fitzgerald and later expanded to what is being practiced today by some reflexologists as “The Flocco Method-Integrating Foot, Hand, and Ear Reflexology”. Also, since this article is only an overview of what is being discussed today, it will not include all pertinent information and research on the beginnings of Reflexology.

Knowledge From Egypt Past
The only evidence available today of a possible form of Reflexology in the past 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 specific points on a foot and hand to two recipients in the tomb of Ankhmahor (highest official after the Pharaoh) at Saqqara, which is also known as the physician’s tomb (see top of article). Along with the wall painting, hieroglyphics were found as well. The translation of the hieroglyphics is as follows: "Don’t hurt me." The practitioner’s reply: - " I shall act so you praise me. " At this time, no determination has been made if there’s a relationship between the ancient art as practiced by the early Egyptians and Reflexology as we know it today. Prior to the discovery of the wall painting, it was widely believed that Reflexology had ancient origins and frequent arguments were made about its relationship to and development alongside the ancient Oriental practices of shiatsu and acupuncture. Dr. Joe Shelby Riley, founder of the horizontal zones, maintained that different forms of working the feet to effect health spread from Egypt via the Roman Empire.

European Research
In 1582, two European doctors (Adamus and A'titis) wrote a book, which detailed the uses of zone therapy. The therapy they developed was very different to the Reflexology we use today. Then, in the 1890's, research scientist, and medical doctor, Sir Henry Head demonstrated the neurological relationship that exists between the skin and the internal organs.

Continue>>>