The Origins of Reflexology

Healing the body through working the hands and feet is an ancient art that was practiced in a number of early cultures. The earliest evidence depicting the practice of reflexology was discovered on the walls of the tomb of an Egyptian physician called Ankhmahor.

The ancient Chinese worked the hands and feet to help maintain good health and prevent disease. Fundamental to traditional Chinese medicine is the theory that one’s ‘vital energy’ or ‘life force’ runs through 14 major meridians or channels in the body. Twelve of these meridians either begin or end in the tips of the fingers and toes and massaging these areas stimulates the flow of energy and clears congestion in the meridians encouraging harmony in the body.

Evidence of working the hands and feet to improve health is also found in traditional Ayurvedic medicine which was developed in India. Foot massage plays a significant role in Ayurvedic medicine.

The importance of massaging the hands and feet to ensure good health was also passed down through the traditions of Native American and African tribes.

Modern reflexology

Dr William Fitzgerald, an American ear, nose and throat surgeon was responsible for rediscovering a form of systemised foot treatment and bringing it to the attention of the medical profession and the general public, He carried out his most important work in the early 1900s. He was aware that Native Americans were using techniques of pressure-point therapy to relieve pain and found that there was a lot of research developing in Europe on the functioning of the nervous system and the effects of stimulation of the sensory pathways on the rest of the body. Dr Fitzgerald decided to experiment on his patients with pain relief for minor surgery and the result was the discovery of ‘Zone Therapy’. Ten ‘energy zones’ were identified, which run vertically through the body, starting from the toes and working upward to the top of the head and down to the hands and fingers. Dr Fitzgerald discovered that pain could be alleviated in one part of a zone by applying deep pressure to another area of the zone, usually on the hand. Together with his colleague, Dr Edwin Bowers, he wrote several publications on the use of zone therapy. One article published by Dr Edwin Bowers was called ‘To stop that toothache, squeeze your toe!’

An American physician Dr Joseph Shelby Riley and his wife Elizabeth developed zone therapy further. Eunice Ingham was a physiotherapist who worked with Dr Riley and it was she who took the theory of zone therapy and used it to develop what we know as modern reflexology. She discovered that when you place the ten zones of the body onto the feet you can then place all the organs and structures of each body zone into the corresponding zone on the foot. This is how she developed the ‘foot maps’ of the body that form the basis of reflexology today.

Testimonials

I’m so grateful to have found Lisa’s reflexology treatment service during my second pregnancy. I had never attended a reflexologist before so was unsure what to expect. Lisa created a calm relaxing space each visit, which is exactly what I needed with being pregnant and having a young baby at home also.
Lisa always made me feel at ease and guided me throughout my pregnancy with some pregnancy related issues I had encountered. Lisa went over and beyond to share her wealth of knowledge with me and shared tips to do at home to further enhance my treatments. She’s warm and caring and really takes the time to listen and evaluate concerns and issues to provide the best service she can. I cannot recommend her service enough and I hope to visit her postpartum too. Thank you so much Lisa.

I went to Lisa while pregnant with my little girl. I had never tried reflexology before and had no idea the positive impact it would have! It relieved my symptoms such as swelling, gut issues and asthma and I gave birth to a healthy little baby girl! I’ll be back in the future for sure! Thanks Lisa 💓

I had a number of reflexology sessions with Lisa May and experienced the effects almost immediately, in both my physical and mental health. In addition to the sessions, Lisa offered lots of well-informed strategies that I found very useful. The sessions themselves are very relaxing and Lisa did her utmost to address the areas of health that I was experiencing problems with. I would recommend her highly.

I have regular treatments with Lisa which help immensely with inflammation and muscle aches and pains. I have been treated by a few reflexologists throughout my dancing career and Lisa is by far the best. She is highly knowledgeable and very generous in sharing tips for care after each treatment. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

Lisa is excellent. She is extremely knowledgeable and pays attention to detail. Sessions are thorough and very effective. She is meticulous in her assessment and planning. I would highly recommend her. She is fabulous.

I have had several reflexology sessions with Lisa recently post covid illness over Christmas. I found the treatments helped clear my sinus congestion issues and aided my very disturbed sleep pattern. I slept so well after each session and my nasal congestion cleared very quickly. I also felt very relaxed after treatments and enjoyed this immensely. Lisa is very knowledgeable and professional in her manner at all times and I would highly recommend her as a reflexologist.

I really enjoyed my reflexology sessions with Lisa. She was very knowledgeable and very helpful – I asked loads of questions! I found the sessions very good for destressing and I slept really well afterwards. Lisa came to my house for each session but it’s great to know that I could also go to hers if I can’t get the peace and quiet in my own house. I would really recommend Lisa if you are looking for a reflexologist.