There are many ways to describe reflexology. In ancient, Greece, the philosophers described a “reflex” as a secondary manifestation corresponding in a result.* Centuries passed before the discovery of the Pharaoh’s physician’s tombs. This unveiling from the sands of Egypt gave reflexology a “re-birth” and the west began to take more interest in this modality. In 1883, Marshall Hall, an English physiologist introduced the concept and term ‘reflex action’. By the late 1880’s the fascination around “reflexology” captured the interest of some brilliant medical scientists in Europe. This subject represented a new phenomena and these pioneers wanted to find out more and how the human system responded to touch and to the environments around it . The famous Nobel Prize recipient and physiologist Ivan Pavlov and his counterpart Vladimir Michailovich Bechterev belonged to a group of medical scientists all working in co-ordination with experts to understand the neuro-pathways of the human biology. The excitement was evident in the medical community and by the 1890’s, with the support of several of Russia’s Imperial Universities, American and English Institutes plus the formation of an Imperial “study group” dedicated to this subject, the word reflexology was born . Up to the 1940’s ending with the works and publications of Eugene Ingram “westernized reflexology” has remained mostly untouched and dormant. That is, until through my studies and work I began to see that some essential elements had been missed and even lost over time.
Reflexology Anatomy ™ was made available to the general public in 2015 with the launch of Reflexology Anatomy on-line at www.dougcoburn.com .
To celebrate the arrival of 2017, I offer to all my readers, students and colleagues a new revised definition of Reflexology Anatomy ™:
RA can be defined and described as an alternative non-evasive healing system, that engages the use of the neuropathways found in the reflex points of the feet that correspond to the non-autonomic functions of the body. This modality provides immediate pain relief and or reduces pain. Client participation is paramount in order for RA to deliver the desired reaction. The RA practitioner guides the patron to measure his or her discomfort or challenge through gentle non-evasive movement. This act of engagement symbolizes the core of RA’s philosophy. The symmetry between the practitioner, the client, and the body represent the principals of this modality.
In order to defend RA’s value and its place amongst it’s peers as a stand-alone modality all avenues of diplomacy have been put into action in order that RA is perceived and understood. This is achieved by integrating an array of new scientific discoveries that coincide with the philosophies found in westernized forms of reflexology. Therefore, this deep respect of the past holds as much value to that of the present scientific discoveries. RA treasures the legacies the Egyptians left behind and never stops searching for the new discoveries that lay just ahead of us. Reflexology Anatomy ™ is both new and old but it is here to stay, to provide alternative ways to reach the wonders we find in the “BIO-SOCIAL” complexities of the human being.
Reflexology Anatomy training is available on-line. The modules are friendly to use and provide an alternative learning system. ANYONE CAN LEARN THIS MODALITY. This video based educational approach even addresses the “tactile” elements that come with this type of course. The content and layout provided has been designed to give you and your team easy access and respects independent timelines. The website also provides the student with live instruction so one can reserve time with the teacher. It is also advantageous to provide some form of contact for those who wish to take what they have learned to the next level of expertise.
*The concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English. E.W. Fowler & F.G.Fowler Oxford University Press. London, England First Edition 1911 ( NOTE: In 1911 the Oxford dictionary did not yet accept or introduce the word “reflexology” . The English world had not yet adopted this term.)
“I dedicate this article to the City of Montréal and the Grande Bibliothèque de Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec.”
“The most amazing collection of French Language Literature & History in Canada. Thanks to the staff who helped me with much of the research to provide you the reader with accurate information about the history of Reflexology “
Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec / Grande Bibliothèque …
Written by: Douglas A. Coburn AIIC , RAC cert., BSc.Pod
Edited by: Miss Phyllis Mary Bell Educator/Teacher ( Retired but more active than ever before!!! )