Ancient Roots of Reflexology
Reflexology dates back over 4,000 years. Egyptian tomb paintings depict foot massage practices, and similar traditions existed in China, India and Native American cultures.
Egypt (c. 2,500 BCE)
The earliest known record of reflexology - like therapy comes from an Egyptian tomb at Saqqara. A painted wall carving in the Tomb of Ankhmahor (also known as the “Physician’s Tomb”) depicts practitioners working on the hands and feet of their patients.
Hieroglyphics suggest that these treatments were used to ease discomfort and promote healing. One translation reads:
"Do not let it be painful", says one of the patients. "I do as you please", replies the attendant.
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China & India
Around the same period, traditional Chinese medicine documented pressure-based therapies applied to the feet and hands to help balance the body’s vital energy (qi).
In India, similar techniques were integrated into Ayurvedic healing to stimulate the body's energy pathways.
From Ancient Practices to Modern Science
Dr. William H. Fitzgerald (1872–1942)
Often called the “Father of Modern Reflexology", Dr William H. Fitzgerald was an American ear, nose and throat specialist.
In the early 1900s, he developed Zone Therapy, dividing the body's energy flow into ten vertical zones. He discovered that applying pressure to specific areas of the feet, hands, and ears could reduce pain in corresponding parts of the body. This concept is similar to the use meridians in acupuncture, acupressure, and shiatsu.
Dr. Edwin F. Bowers (1871–1932)
A medical writer who helped publicise Fitzgerald’s discoveries, and co-authoring early books on Zone Therapy.
Eunice Ingham (1889–1974)
Eunice Ingham, a physiotherapist, is often called the "Mother of Modern Reflexology" .
Building on Fitzgerald’s work, she carefully studied and charted detailed reflex points on the feet, publishing Stories the Feet Can Tell in 1938.
Ingham’s method spread internationally and remains the foundation for most modern reflexology techniques.
Doreen Bayly (1900–1980)
She was a British student of Ingham who introduced reflexology to the UK in the 1960s, establishing the Bayly School of Reflexology and helping the practice gain professional recognition.
Reflexology Today
Thanks to these pioneers, reflexology is now practised worldwide as a complementary therapy, blending ancient wisdom with modern holistic health. While scientific research continues, millions of people use reflexology to relieve stress, promote relaxation, and support the body's natural healing processes.