• 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 immigrated to South Africa and opened a private reflexology practice.

• She began teaching and established what was to become the first International Academy of Reflexology & Meridian Therapy incorporating Chinese Meridian Theory in 1983. Today the academy has licensed campuses throughout South Africa and all over the world, including United States, United Kingdom, Poland and Greece. New campuses are being established and any interested parties are invited to apply for a new campus.

• Inge Dougans has been invited to teach in Holland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Canada, the United States of America, Australia, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Poland and the United Kingdom. She has also received numerous invitations as a guest speaker to address various international conferences and societies:

- 1991 - The International Council of Reflexologists held at Virginia Beach (USA)
- 1993 - The Dutch 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) and AoR in the UK
- 2002 - Association of Reflexologists (AoR), UK
- 2002 - The National Congress held by Reflexology Association Canada (RAC), Niagara Falls.
- 2004 - Addressed AoR accredited schools re the new teaching system in SA
- 2004 - Speaker at the AoR conference in Warwick

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, German and Arabic. It is a beautifully illustrated full colour reference book, detailing reflexology from the viewpoint of the Chinese Meridians.

• Newsflash! See information on the latest book published beginning of 2005

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 a 5-year 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 academy and reflexology as a profession. The International Academy of Reflexology & Meridian Therapy have been accredited with registration as a Private Higher Education Institution on the National Qualifications framework in South Africa by the Department of Education, affording the academy the right to tertiary Diploma Level (Level 5). Visit South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) at their web site: www.saqa.org.za and enter Higher Education Institutions. For information on our registered qualification enter search Unit Standards and qualification - enter reflexology and find our listed qualification with the I.D. number 36204.

The academy, 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. The learner will have access to our interactive web board for questioning and answer, as well as interaction with fellow learners and facilitators.

Inge Dougans is the founder of the revolutionary Vacuflex System™, which is used by practitioners worldwide. The Vacuflex System™ maximizes 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/vacuflex.aspx.