Reflexology may be an evolution of acupuncture from Traditional Chinese Medicine. Many people do not like needles. So, by stimulating the feet, hands, ears and other body part
…s through finger and thumb pressure would be a preferred therapy for these people. And so two similar branches may have developed - acupressure working with finger pressure on Chinese meridian points and Reflexology working on reflexology points. Modern Reflexology has roots based on Zone Therapy which again may have roots based on energy canals called meridians from Traditional Chinese Medicine. By charting clients sensitivities within the zones, Dr. Charles Riley and Eunice Ingham discovered that the body was outlined on the feet, hands and ears - later Eunice coined the term Reflexology. Originally people walked barefoot on the ground, much like animals do today. By walking on earth's surfaces the feet were stimulated and the theory is that this connection to the earth was a natural form of preventative medicine and healing. Further, this theory continues that only heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other modern day illnesses developed after hard-sole shoes were introduced. (MORE)