 | What is Reflexology / Zonterapi? a Reflexology/Zonterapi is a complementary, non-invasive therapy. It is the practice of stimulating points on the feet or hands to encourage the healing process of the whole person, and not just the prevailing symptoms; to help bring back the person to homeostasis (your natural balanced state). a A reflex is an involuntary or instinctive movement in response to a stimulus or in the sense a reflection or mirror image. a The reflex zones found on the feet and the hands act as mirror images of the body, reflecting the whole body structure. a In Reflexology / Zonterapi the therapist uses their hands to stimulate the reflex zones. It is a hands-on natural treatment intended for vitality and wellbeing. a |
 | Need to know more?
a Click: Need to know more a Click: Research |
| Quick History Tour a
The drawing above is of ancient people who are treating their counterparts with foot and hand treatments. This drawing and others date back to 2330 B.C. and was found in 1897, in the physician Ankhmahor's tomb in Saqqara, Egypt. For the last 5,000 years the Chinese have been using the application of pressure points for healing (Reflexology, Acupuncture and Acupressure). a During 1220 B.C. Peruvian Indians passed their knowledge of Zone therapy to the North American Indians who, up to this present time, are still using this form of treatment. a In the early 20th Century, Dr William H. Fritzgerald, an American ear, nose and throat specialist, noted that in Reflexology / Zonterapi specific parts of the body could have an anaesthetic effect on a related area. a Developing this theory, he divided the body into ten equal parts and vertical zones ending in the fingers and toes. He discovered a very interesting fact, that the application of pressure on the zones not only relieved pain but in the majority of cases also relieved the underlying cause as well. a He concluded that pressure on one part of the zone could effect everything else within that zone. The same result is experienced through Reflexology / Zonterapi today, which is partially based on his theory to the West as "Zone Therapy". a In the 1930’s Eunice D. Ingham, who worked closely with Dr. Riley (who worked with Dr Fitzgerald), further developed this zone therapy into a usable therapy, calling it Foot Reflexology as we know it today. She took it to the public in the late 1930's through to the early 70's. She observed that congestion or tension in any part of the foot / hand is mirrored in the corresponding part of the body. a In the late 50's Dwight Byers (Eunice Ingham's nephew) started helping Eunice Ingham at her workshops. In the mid 70's Dwight Byers formed The International Institute of Reflexology where the theories and techniques of Reflexology / Zonterapi were further refined. He is now president of this organisation. a Go to: How can it help? a a |
