There are several theories about the origin of foot reflexology. It would have been born 5000 years ago in China. Egypt, for its part, has provided some important historical evidence. According to another theory, a form of reflex zone therapy would have been transmitted to the American Indians by the Incas.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Dr. William Fitzgerald (USA) put forward the theory of energy zones and is recognized as the founder of reflex zone therapy. He discovered that the human body can be divided into ten perpendicular zones that end in the ten fingers of the hand and the ten toes. He proves that the thousands of nerve endings of the organs of our body end up in the feet and hands.
Dr. Riley is also interested in the work of his colleague Fitzgerald. It is his assistant, Eunice Ingham (an American nurse and physiotherapist), who plays the most important role in laying the foundations of modern reflexology. She is considered the founder of foot reflexology. By drawing a diagram of the feet corresponding to the areas and their effects on the anatomy, she managed to establish a complete mapping of the human body.
Doreen Bayly (a nurse who studied with Eunice Ingham) was the main pioneer of the method.
It was around 1960 that she established a training school in Great Britain.
 

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What is reflexology?

It is a natural approach that treats, through the feet, hands and face, reflex zones corresponding to each gland, each organ and each part of the body.
It is a particular pressure technique (form of acupressure) that acts on precise reflex zones. The pressure causes physiological changes and stimulates the natural defences.
Reflexology is preventive and curative. It aims to treat the individual as a whole, both physically and mentally. The goal of reflexology is not to make a diagnosis, but to accompany the person to discover or remember his power and capacity for self-healing.
This method is intended for any person (child, teenager and adult) who wishes to maintain and/or restore a state of balance and internal harmony, physiological or energetic. Passing reactions are sometimes possible and disappear quickly.

 

Indications and benefits of reflexology:

• It allows to evacuate the tensions and brings a great relaxation

• It prevents diseases and strengthens the immune system.

• It stimulates, restores, tones or calms hyperactive organs.

• It improves the general circulation (blood, energy, lymphatic).

• It helps the body to regain energy balance and harmony.

• It eliminates toxins and deposits of uric acid.

 

Contraindications:

Therapeutic foot reflexology is not suitable:

• Pregnant women (during the first three months and sometimes at the end of pregnancy).

• to people suffering from

  • diseases of the veins and arteries (phlebitis, thrombosis, etc.) *

  • severe type II diabetes (with lack of sensitivity)

  • heart disease (in heart failure with complete arrhythmia)

  • Bone disease (such as recent fractures on the foot, severe osteoporosis on the foot,

  • injury or abscess on the foot) - in these cases, a palmar (hand) reflexology or the Dien Chan technique can be proposed

• people undergoing heavy chemotherapy or radiation treatment. In this case,

• it is recommended not to practice reflexology too quickly.

    
* in case of treatment of deep varicose veins or phlebitis without complications, it is possible to
propose a reflexology after a serious anamnesis.


Reflexology is also to be avoided during spikes of fever linked to a virus or a flu.