What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is a holistic approach to dealing with stress, pain and other ills.  This natural science of healing, aids in normalizing imbalance in the human body.  It releases our natural forces to repair problem areas so that health and vitality may be regained.  Applying pressure to specific points on the hands, feet and ears stimulates the body's ability to heal itself, which it does regularly when the immune system is not compromised.

  Is Reflexology safe for everyone?

Reflexology is safe for the tiniest infant to the oldest, most delicate individual.  It relaxes babies and de-stresses the elderly without putting them through any unnecessary effort or exertion. 

  A little history . . .

(excerpts taken from Balance and Harmony Through Reflexology by Dr. Christina J. Brown-De Estrada, Ph. D., co-owner of Eastside Reflexology and Health Therapy Center in Indianapolis, IN; President of the Holistic Therapy Center, Inc. and  Founder of the Academy of Reflexology and Health Therapy International.)

5,000 years ago, the Emperor Hwang of China wrote a book discussing reflex zones and the observations made.  Hwa-Tuo in the Han Dynasty described 'Tao of Foot Center' and word spread to Japan.  In the Yuen Dynasty, the 14 meridians were published and the word spread throughout the world.  After the 1880's, all findings were lost or forgotten. 

Egyptian history shows traces of reflexology as far back as 2300 B.C.  Pictographs have been found showing various procedures, bonesetting, childbirth circumcision, pharmacology and reflexology. 

During the Dark Ages, from 400 A.D. to 1500 A.D., the study of medicine was limited to monasteries.  Monks studied herbology and grew herbs.  By 1500 A.D., acupuncture and acupressure were used by both rich and poor. 

In 1935 Franz Eugster, a Swiss missionary, brought foot massage back to China by teaching in churches and hospitals in Taiwan.  After recovering from rheumatoid arthritis, Father Josef Eugster, along with Mr. Tschen, in 1982 founded the Rwo-Shr Health Institute International.   

Research began in the 1850's when Sir Henry Head of London and Sir Charles Sherington indicated the scientific basis of reflexology on neurological studies, and German physicians specialized in massage to treat disease.  Early 1900's massage techniques were referred to as "reflex massage."  The Russians mainly studied the connection to reflexes in physiology and psychology.   

In America, some Indiana tribes used foot massage as a healing method.  Dr. William Fitzgerald brought zone therapy to America after studying for many years in Vienna, Austria under Dr. Adam Politzer.   Dr. Fitzgerald experimented by stimulating the skin through pressure points.  By doing this, all zones from head to toe are affected.   

During this same time period in Europe, many physicians practiced and wrote about acupressure  points, zone therapy and reflex points.  Dr. Arsonval, a French physician, in his published paper, 'The Future of Medicine,' stated, "Future medicine will use heat, electricity or light, no drugs." 

Eunice Ingham (1879 - 1974), brought "compression massage", as she coined it, to the United States and later changed it to Reflexology.  She devoted 40 years of her life to education and writing on Reflexology.