Reflexology is a form of ancient Chinese medicine involving treatment by massage of pressure points in the feet. Research has shown that Reflexology was also known to some early African tribes, the American Indians, and the early Egyptians. It was rediscovered in the early 1920s by an American ear, nose and throat consultant, Dr William Fitzgerald, who found that by applying pressure to a certain area of the foot he was able to anaesthetize the ear; this enabled him to perform minor ear operations. His findings attracted the attention of other medical practitioners and the main pioneer in the field was a nurse, Eunice Ingham, who toured the USA lecturing, treating and training students. One of her students was the late Doreen Bayly who returned to England and introduced the method here in the early 1960s.