History

The art of massaging feet to bring about mental and physical well being dates back to 2,300 BC when it was first practised by the early Indian, Chinese and Egyptian People.

In 1913, Dr William Fitzgerald, an American Ear, Nose and Throat specialist noted that pressure on specific parts of the body could have an anaesthetising effect on a related area. He developed this theory by dividing the body into ten equal, vertical zones that ended in the fingers and toes and found that pressure in one part of a zone could affect everything else within that zone. This became known as ‘Zone Therapy’. Reflex areas therefore on the feet and hands are linked to other areas and organs of the body within the same zone.

In the 1930’s, Eunice Ingham, a Physiotherapist, further developed and refined Zone Therapy into what is known as Foot Reflexology. She found that certain areas of the feet had a beneficial effect on certain organs and systems of the body and by working on those areas of the feet which were congested or imbalanced she could relieve the congestion or tension in the corresponding part of the body so restoring balance and well-being.