• Inge Dougans, author and a world renowned lecturer was born and educated in Denmark. Her career began in April 1981, when she qualified as a reflexologist in Copenhagen. In October of that year she emigrated to South Africa and opened a private reflexology clinic.

• She began teaching and established what was to become the first International School of Reflexology and Meridian Therapy incorporating Chinese Meridian Theory in 1983. Today the school has licenced branches throughout South Africa and all over the world, including United States, United Kingdom, Poland and Greece. New branches are being established and any interested parties are invited to apply for licences for a new branch. Click here for more detailed information.

• Inge Dougans has been invited to teach in Holland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Canada, the United States of America, Australia, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Namibia and the United Kingdom. She has also received numerous invitations as a guest speaker to address various international conferences and societies, including the International Council of Reflexologists held at Virginia Beach (USA), the Dutch Society's 10th Anniversary (Holland), the British Reflexology Association (UK), the 3rd World Congress of Medical Acupuncture and Natural Medicine (Canada), the National Congress of Reflexologists (Australia and New Zealand), the 4^th European Congress of Reflexologists (Denmark) and the ICR Congress (Rome, Italy). Inge continues lecturing throughout the world on her unique concepts. 

• She began writing two definitive works: In 1991 "Reflexology – foot massage for total health", and in 1992 her innovative and pioneering study, "The Art of Reflexology - a totally new approach using the Chinese Meridian Theory", were published by Element Books in the United Kingdom . Both books have since been translated into German, Danish, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, French, Swedish and Italian. In 1996 "The Complete Illustrated Guide to Reflexology" was also published by Element Books and so far has been translated into Polish, Hungarian and German. It is a beautifully illustrated full colour reference book, detailing reflexology from the viewpoint of the Chinese Meridians.

 • In 1985 she formed the "South African Reflexology Society" and has served on the committee since its inception. Inge retired after 17 years of service from the Executive Committee in 2002, so as to allow her more free time to become more actively involved in other areas of her profession.She was awarded a trophy in appreciation of her dedication and long service (1985 - 2002) as the Founder Member of the South African Reflexology Society, and received an honorary lifetime membership.

In addition to this, Inge has received an honorary membership to the Association of Reflexologists (AoR) in the United Kingdom in 2002. This award was given to her as a token of appreciation for all her outstanding and hard work in the field of Reflexology.

• Over the years Inge has worked hard to earn recognition and status for her school and reflexology as a profession. The International School of Reflexology and Meridian Therapy recently has been accredited with conditional registration as a Private Higher Education Institution on the National Qualifications framework in South Africa by the Department of Education, affording the school the right to tertiary Diploma Level (Level 5). 

• The School, after the relentless efforts and visions of Inge Dougans, can also offer learners a distance learning course via interactive CD ROM, which has been available since November 2000. This course has been designed in such a way that both aspiring and practicing reflexologists can benefit from it.

• Inge Dougans is the founder of the revolutionary Vacuflex Reflexology System™, which is used by practitioners worldwide. The Vacuflex System™ maximises the body's own healing potential by combining, in one treatment, two of the world's most ancient, powerful and natural methods of holistic practise: reflexology and acupuncture. For further details on this remarkable system, please visit the Vacuflex Reflexology System website, at http://www.vacuflex.com.