I find it surprising how few people study the history of Reflexology, even more surprising then the small number of Reflexologists that read research. I believe that there is a lot to be learned from our history and that is why Reflexology history is included in Orthopedic Reflexology trainings.
And if we are ever to evolve towards a science status we will need an accurate history.
For decades of reading up on anything Reflexology related, one of the most interesting pieces of historic information that I came across, but has no reference to support it, is about the origins of Reflexology in North America and the native indians.
More or less the story goes something like this...
Or, "Our feet are our contact with the earth and the energies that flow through it..." - Jenny Wallace, Cherokee Tribe
On a recent training this year in London I got into talking about this subject with
my colleagues Linda Frank, Hagar Basis and Amy Kreyden. Amy mentioned what you read above, but when I asked her for a source or a reference she was unable to do so, as we all are regarding this piece of information. I am not saying that it is not true, I am just saying it cannot be verified, at least yet.
But just recently I came across an interview in the Journal of the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute titled Structure, Function, Integration. During this interview to Jeffrey Kinnunnen, author and therapist Jeffrey Burch spoke about the history of manual therapy and drawing everything back to Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of osteopathic medicine, physician, and surgeon (1828–1917). Follows the abstract of the interview.
JB. Taking us back to Andrew Taylor Still—his father was a medical doctor, and although Still was born in Virginia, his father soon took a job in Kansas Territory. This job was with a precursor organization of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, providing healthcare to Native Americans on a reservation.
This led to a couple of significant developments. Still would accompany his father on house calls, meaning his medical education began before he even started elementary school. Additionally, he learned the language of the Native American people and studied with their traditional healers. Late in his life, Still said that the core of what he was doing in osteopathy came from what he had learned from the Native Americans.
JK: And that would be the Shawnee tradition?
JB: Shawnee, yes.
JK: That is fascinating because I noticed you describe Still as the discoverer of osteopathic medicine, as opposed to its founder. That makes a lot of sense in this context.
JB: That was Still’s language. He described himself as the discoverer. Yes, the implication is that he didn’t create it—
JK: It had always been there.
I cannot but wonder if their is any association between the work of Andrew Still, Dr. Fitzgerald, Eunice Ingham, Dr. Mahlon Locke and others, the timeline allows for such wonders. Maybe one day we will find out.
Regarding the Cherokee, there are seven clans and the Bear Clan is a subdivision of the Anisahoni, or Blue Holly Clan. Historically, this clan produced many people who were able to grow and prepare herbs for food and medicinal purposes. The medicine was made from a blue plant which is where the clan gained its name.
London (Reflexology Academy) is scheduled for the beginning of July, information here
https://www.reflexologyacademylondon.com/courses/cpd-advanced/orthopedic-reflexology-course
