THE ROOTS OF REFLEXOLOGY AND ITS EVOLUTION AROUND THE WORLD
Hippocrates Galen
The roots of foot reflexology are hard to classify. Prior to the mass production of footwear, the cost of footwear was prohibitive, such that many went barefoot. In addition, the footwear that was available was frequently inadequate to protect the feet from rough ground. Consequently, when visitors from neighboring villages were received, they would inevitably arrive with sore feet. Hence, in many cultures it was a common social protocol to massage the feet of visitors before providing other pleasantries.
Both the Greek physician Hippocrates born around the year 460BC and Galen (129 – 216AD) referred to foot massage for achieving wellness.
As one might imagine, it is also difficult to trace accurately the origins of healing. Suffice it to say, that people in all ancient cultures looked for ways to cope with or combat disease.
In China, the development of foot massage has a history of thousands of years with the earliest known foot massage originating in the era of the ancient dance health care. Barefoot people would express their happiness by dancing rhythmically, and when they were cold they would dance vigorously. They discovered that dance could relieve fatigue, generate warmth and lift their spirits. They discovered that pain in the feet was associated with disease, and, they noticed that pain in the feet would disappear as disease dissolved. Some believe that this is how the connection between massaging the feet and easing disease was established.
The practice of modern reflexology has evolved from the knowledge known in the ancient cultural societies of Egypt, India, China, and North and South America, and, probably all other ancient cultures. It is a fascinating story.
Read on for more details:
NORTH & SOUTH AMERICAN INDIAN ANCIENT HISTORY
WORLDWIDE REFLEXOLOGY HISTORY 1582 - 1899
WORLDWIDE REFLEXOLOGY HISTORY 1900 - 1914
WORLDWIDE REFLEXOLOGY HISTORY 1915 - 1949
WORLDWIDE REFLEXOLOGY HISTORY 1950 - 1989
WORLDWIDE REFLEXOLOGY HISTORY 1990 - 1999
