The oldest documentation depicting the practice of reflexology was unearth in Egypt. It was a wall engraving that was found in the tomb of an Egyptian Physician, dating back to 2500 BC. Some theories were that reflexology originated in China over 5000 years ago and others say it was passed down to the American Indians by the Incas.
In the early 1900's Dr. William Fitzgerald, referred to as the father of reflexology, found that the application of pressure to various parts of the body deadened pain in other areas and reduced the need for anesthesia in surgery and other procedures. He mapped out 10 zones calling his work Zone Analgesia. Dr. Shelby Riley further developed the Zone Theory with Dr. Fitzgerald.
Eunice Ingham, a physical therapist who worked with Dr. Riley, started developing her foot reflex theory in the early 1930's. Referred to the founder of modern reflexology, she discovered that in using a pressure technique across the soles of the feet, she was able to stimulat and heal other parts of the body , rather than to merely nump sensation of pain. Her work is continuing to grow in populartity today.