Inge Dougans

Reflexologist, Educator, Author, Innovator, International Speaker, Founder, Educational Director

Denmark

INGE DOUGANS

Email: inge@dougans-international.com

www.dougans-international.com

Residing in both Denmark and South Africa.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Reflexologist, educator, author, innovator, and international speaker

with more than four decades of experience in reflexology, meridian

therapy, and holistic health education. Founder of the International

Academy of Reflexology & Meridian Therapy and Educational Director

of Dougans International. Recognised internationally for contributions

to reflexology education, professional development, and the

integration of traditional wisdom with contemporary perspectives on

health and wellbeing.

PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO REFLEXOLOGY

�� Introduced Chinese Meridian Theory into reflexology education and training programmes in South Africa during

the 1980s.

�� Developed and promoted an integrated approach combining reflexology and meridian theory through

internationally published books translated into numerous languages.

�� Contributed to the professional recognition and standardisation of reflexology training in South Africa.

�� Established educational programmes that trained practitioners locally and internationally.

�� Continued to promote professional development through international teaching, publications, workshops, and

online education initiatives.

�� One of the first reflexology educators to systematically incorporate Chinese Meridian Theory into reflexology

training and clinical practice.

PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

International Academy of Reflexology & Meridian Therapy

Founder and Director | 1983–2021

Founded one of South Africa's leading reflexology training institutions. For almost four decades, the Academy trained

practitioners, developed educational programmes, and contributed to the professional growth of reflexology and

meridian therapy. The Academy also established international educational partnerships and training initiatives that

extended its influence beyond South Africa, including Europe and Asia. The Academy concluded its operations in 2021

due to changes in regulatory requirements affecting registered private Higher Education providers.

Dougans International

Founder and Educational Director, alongside my two sons, Daniel and Thomas | 2021–Present

Leading the development of an online educational platform dedicated to preserving and sharing decades of knowledge

in reflexology, meridian therapy, holistic health, and self-care. Through concise, accessible online courses, Dougans

International aims to make practical health education available to a global audience and support lifelong learning for

practitioners and the public.

Author of internationally published books translated into multiple languages

1991 “Reflexology – foot massage for total health”

1992 “The Art of Reflexology – a totally new approach using the Chinese Meridian Theory”,

1996 “The Complete Illustrated Guide to Reflexology”

2005 “Reflexology, the 5 elements and their 12 meridians – a unique approach” – still in print

2006 “The New Reflexology – A Unique Blend of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Reflexology Practice for

Better Health and Healing – still in print

The publishers produced numerous smaller editions drawn from the above list.

Many of the books have been translated into German, Danish, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, French, Greek, Russian,

Swedish, Italian, Polish, Hungarian, Arabic, and Japanese.

Development of the Vacuflex Concept

The Vacuflex Concept was developed in the early 1980s to investigate whether reflexes and meridian pathways in the

feet and lower leg could be stimulated through regular compression rather than solely manual thumb techniques.

Alongside observed clinical outcomes, initial observations focused on temporary thermal colour changes in the feet,

which appeared to provide insights into functional patterns within the body. Over time, ongoing clinical experience raised

broader questions about the mechanisms involved. Today, the concept is understood within a wider integrative

framework that considers the potential roles of fascia, connective tissue, lymphatic movement, circulation,

mechanotransduction, thermal responses, and meridian-based communication models. The development of the

Vacuflex Concept demonstrates a continuous effort to connect traditional therapeutic observations with emerging

scientific perspectives. www.vacuflex.com

SELECTED INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS, TEACHING ACTIVITIES AND PUBLICATIONS

Invited Speaker

1991 The International Council of Reflexologists held at Virginia Beach (USA)

1993 The Dutch Reflexology Society's 10th Anniversary (Holland)

1995 The British Reflexology Association (UK)

1995 The 3rd World Congress of Medical Acupuncture and Natural Medicine, Canada

1996 The National Congress of Reflexologists (Australia and New Zealand)

2000 The 4th European Congress of Reflexologists (Denmark)

2001 The ICR Congress, Rome, Italy

2001 Association of Reflexologists (AoR), UK

2002 Association of Reflexologists (AoR), UK

2002 The Reflexology Association Canada (RAC), Niagara Falls.

2004 Association of Reflexologists (AoR), Warwick, UK

2006 Stress Symposium for Health in Denmark

2008 50th Anniversary of Hanne Marquardt in Germany

2009 The ICR Congress, LA, USA

2009 Organised the Academy’s 25th Anniversary with the theme: Infertility, with speakers from the UK, Germany

and Denmark

2011 10 years Anniversary for Polish Campus – in Warsaw

2013 ICR Congress, Cape Town

2019 The South African Reflexology Society, Johannesburg

2021 The Reflexology Association of Canada – virtual conference

2022 The Reflexology Association of Canada – virtual conference

2024 The Reflexology Association of Canada – virtual conference

2026 18th European Congress for Integrative Medicine (ECIM) & 4th International Congress on Traditional and

Complementary Medicine (GETAT), Antalya, Türkiye – Invited Speaker – Reflexology

International Educational Activities

Over the decades, associations worldwide have published my articles focusing on the connection between Reflexes and

Meridians in the feet, how to observe them, and how to interpret the related pathology. Educational programmes,

workshops, and professional training initiatives have been delivered in South Africa, the United Kingdom, Denmark,

Germany, Poland, Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and other countries over the past four

decades.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

�� Association of Reflexologists (AoR)- UK

�� The Reflexology Society of South Africa

�� Reflexology Association of Canada

HONOURS AND AWARDS

�� Lifetime Membership, Association of Reflexologists (UK)

�� Lifetime Membership, South African Reflexology Association

RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS

�� Reflexology

�� Meridian Theory

�� Fascia and Connective Tissue Science

�� Holistic Health

�� Energy-Based Approaches to Wellbeing

�� Integrative Medicine

�� Education and Professional Development

PERSONAL STATEMENT

For more than forty years, my work has focused on understanding the relationship between reflexology, meridian theory,

energy concepts, and the body's innate capacity for balance and self-regulation. Through teaching, writing, and clinical

observation, I continue to explore ways of connecting traditional healing wisdom with contemporary scientific and

integrative perspectives on health and wellbeing.