How Long Has Reflexology Been Practised?

　　From carvings in ancient Egypt, some experts think that reflexology has been practised since ancient times. In modern times, early American pioneers of reflexology were William Fitzgerald and Edwin Bowers who introduced the therapy to the US in 1913. Eunice Ingham practised reflexology in the 1930s and 1940s and was the first person to map the body into reflexes, or areas, on the feet. She was the originator of the foot reflexology chart.

　　The early therapists initially thought that the therapy could only remove pain in particular parts of the body, but then they extended this theory and put forward the idea that it could help with healing.

　　In the 1980s and 1990s, there was a surge in interest in all complementary therapies and some unscrupulous people started up in business, offering reflexology with no real knowledge or training. Today, in the UK, GPs will encourage some patients to follow up alternative therapies, in conjunction with their own recommended treatment and have lists of accredited and trained local reflexologists.

Reflexology is probably as old as mankind