WORLDWIDE REFLEXOLOGY HISTORY  

1950 - 1989

In 1955, Wolfgang Kohlrausch published in Germany his book “Reflexzonenmassage in Muskulatur und Bindegewebe” in which he proposed that disturbances of the organs follow vascular channels that are related to reflexes of the arteries, and, that this explains the structural and functional changes that are not explainable by the result of a reflex action within the segmental nervous system.

In September 1955, in the U.S.A., Husted Watson, Director of the Bureau of Examining Boards for the State of Nebraska’s Department of Health declared that the practice of reflexology was quackery, that its practice was against the law, and that persons practicing reflexology would be denied a license to practice massage.

In 1956, in the U.S.A., John C. Foster, Executive Director of the South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners took the stand that reflexology is a healing art which does not come under the Basic Science laws and is considered illegal.

In 1958, John Anderson was served a summons for practicing medicine without a licence in Salem, South Dakota, U.S.A. that led him to quit practicing reflexology. The State of South Dakota then cracked down on all reflexology practitioners.

In 1958, in the U.S.A., the California Department of Professional and Business Standards determined that the practice of reflexology constituted the practice of medicine.

In 1959, Mrs. Ann Burzinski, a licenced masseuse, was tried for practicing medicine without a licence on a complaint from the State Education Department in Buffalo, New York, U.S.A. She was acquitted by a jury after a few minutes of deliberation.

In January 1961, Anna Mazzarelli, a licensed cosmetologist, was charged with practicing medicine without a license by the State Board of Medical Examiners in Encino, California, U.S.A. A jury found her not guilty.

In 1966, the Vancouver Reflexology Society was founded in Canada.

In 1967, Fred Patton is charged with practicing medicine without a licence by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, U.S.A.

In 1968, the State of New York, U.S.A. charged Eunice Ingham with practicing medicine without a licence. The charges were dropped before getting to court.

In 1968, in U.S.A. The National Institute of Reflexology was formed by Eunice Ingham, her nephew Dwight Byers and his sister Eusebia Messenger, to continue teaching the “Ingham Method” of reflexology.

In 1969, W.D. Chesney published his book “Zone Therapy Is Scientific: Subjectively & Objectively.” in the U.S.A..

In 1969 in the U.S.A. Mildred Carter published her best selling book “Helping Yourself with Foot Reflexology” Following publication she was harassed by the American Medical Association.

In 1970, in Canada, the Vancouver Reflexology Society incorporated in British Columbia. This is the first known non-profit reflexology association to incorporate.

In 1970, physiotherapist Hanne Marquardt studied with Eunice Ingham in the U.S.A.

In 1973, in Denmark, the first organization of reflexologists was established.

In 1974, Hanne Marquardt in Germany publishes her book “Reflex Zone Therapy of the Feet”. Hanne complies with German law by only teaching to medical practitioners.

In 1974, in the U.S.A., Eunice Ingham “The Mother of Reflexology” passed. She discovered that reflexes on the feet are a mirror image of all the organs, glands and parts of the body, that the alternating pressure, has a stimulating effect on the body rather than a numbing effect as demonstrated by Dr. Fitzgerald, and, taught Reflexology to the public and the non-medical community, as well as Naturopaths, Chiropodists, Osteopaths, Massage Therapists and Physiotherapists. She published books: “Stories the Feet Can Tell”, “Stories the Feet Have Told” and, wrote “Stories the Feet Are Telling” which was published posthumously in 2009 by Christine Issel.

In 1975, in Canada, the Vancouver Reflexology Society changed its name to Reflexology Society of British Columbia.

In 1975, Heidi Masafret in Europe, after working in China, writes about reflexology in her book “Good Health for the Future Through Foot Reflexology” – the book that inspired Father Joseph Eugster.

In 1976, the Reflexology Association of Canada (RAC) was founded as a non-profit organization.

In the mid 70's, in the U.S.A., Eusebia Messenger retired and Dwight Byers formed The International Institute of Reflexology®, where the theories and techniques of Reflexology were further refined.

In 1977, in Vancouver, B.C. Canada, Mrs. Ena Campbell, past president of the Reflexology Society of British Columbia, was visited by five people to gain evidence for prosecution by the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons. She was charged with five counts of practicing medicine without a licence and was acquitted. Not satisfied with the verdict, the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons appealed the acquittal. At the appeal in March 1978 in the County Court of Vancouver, she was acquitted of four counts and found guilty on one count. She was fined $100.00 and the judge informed her that what she was doing was fine, but, she needed to be careful with what she said. The B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons interpreted her conviction as evidence that the practice of reflexology was illegal and continued to harass reflexologists. They also increased the minimum fine to $300.00.

In 1978, in Taiwan, Father Joseph Eugster commenced his practice of reflexology.

In 1978, in the U.K. The Bayly School of Reflexology was founded by the late Doreen Bayly, and was the first reflexology training school to be established in Great Britain. The Bayly School of Reflexology became the official teaching body of The British Reflexology Association.

In 1980, in the U.K. Nicola Hall, who trained with Doreen Bayly, commenced running The Bayly School of Reflexology.

In 1981, in U.S.A. the Foot Reflexology Awareness Association (FRAA) was founded in Los Angeles, California.

In 1982, in Canada, the Reflexology Society of British Columbia changed its name to the present Reflexology Association of British Columbia (RABC).

In 1982, in U.S.A., the State of Illinois sued Judy Turner for practicing medicine and podiatry without a license and found her guilty.

In 1982, in Taiwan the RWO-SHUR Health Institute was founded to promote Father Joseph Eugster’s work.

In 1983, the first official meeting of reflexologists in Greece took place in Athens.

In 1983, in the U.K., the International Federation of Reflexologists (I.F.R.) was founded to establish a high level of professional competence for its members worldwide. Working closely with the pioneering Reflexology Forum the I.F.R will strive to achieve common high standards of Reflexology practice for all reflexologists, both in the U.K and worldwide.

In 1983, in Denmark, seven reflexology organizations amalgamated to form the United Danish Reflexologists Association – Forenede Danske Zoneterapeurer (FDZ).

In 1983, in the Netherlands, The Association of Dutch Reflex Zone Therapists (VNRT) was founded. Therapists are registered with the umbrella organization RBCZ (Register of Complementary Care Professionals) and therefore fall under the disciplinary law TCZ (Disciplinary Law Complementary Care).

In 1984, in the Netherlands, The Federation of European Reflexologists (BER) is founded to promote the expert application and practice of foot reflexology and is committed to broad recognition of foot reflexology as a complementary medicine.

In 1984/85, in Ireland, The Society of Reflexologists was formed by graduates of the Bayly School of Reflexology, and registered in 1985.

In 1984, in the U.K., the Association of Reflexologists was established as a non-profit organisation. It has since become the largest reflexology association in the U.K.

In 1985, in U.S.A. Foot Reflexology Awareness Association reflexologists demonstrated reflexology in booths at the California Police Olympics making a positive impression on the athletes and their families.

In 1985, in Great Britain, The British Reflexology Association (B.R.A.) was founded to act as a representative body for persons practising the method of Reflexology as a profession and for students training in the method. The Association also aims to help promote the practice of Reflexology in Great Britain and abroad. The official teaching body of the B.R.A. is The Bayly School of Reflexology. The B.R.A. is a core member of the Integrated Healthcare Collaborative.

In 1985, in South Africa, The South African Reflexology Society [TSARS] is established as a non-profit national professional society that is not associated with any reflexology training school.

In 1986, in Canada, the Reflexology Association of British Columbia succeeded in having “Reflexology” entered in the Yellow Pages under its own heading - despite strong opposition from the B. C. College of Physicians and Surgeons.

In 1987, in U.S.A. the Foot Reflexology Awareness Association joined with the Sacramento Valley Reflexology Association to work at the California Police Olympics. The SVRA conducted an informal blood pressure study.

In 1987, The Philippine Holistic Health Professionals, Inc. held their first national convention in Manila.

In 1987, in U.S.A., the State of Florida’s Department of Professional Regulation (DPR) passed a new ruling that made it necessary to have a current massage license to practice reflexology in Florida.

In 1987, in Italy, the Federazione Italiana Reflessologia del Pitos (FIRP) is founded by Elipio Zamboni to promote the study, dissemination and development of reflexology throughout Italy.

In 1988/1989 , in Ireland, The Irish Institute of Reflex Zone Therapy was founded.

In May 1989, in Denver, Colorado, U.S.A. the first Conference of North American Reflexologists (CNAR) was held.

In October 1989, in Piqua, Ohio, U.S.A. reflexologists met for a two day Reflexology Research Project/ Conference of North American Reflexologists: Research Conference.

In 1989 in Australia, The Reflexology Association of Australia was incorporated in Victoria and subsequently in all other Australian states.