WORLDWIDE REFLEXOLOGY HISTORY  

 2000 - Present

In 2000, the Polish Institute of Reflexology became the 17th member of Reflexology in Europe Nexus (RiEN) at the conference in Odense – Denmark.

In 2000, in U.S.A., the Arizona Reflexology Association was founded as a non-profit professional organization to advance the interest of its members in the professionalism and practice of Reflexology while fostering harmony and goodwill towards all.

In 2000, in the U.S.A., The North Carolina Reflexology Association (NCRA) became a nonprofit corporation organized to unite Reflexologists for the common benefit of the profession in North Carolina, the nation and the world.

In 2001, Reflexology New Zealand (RNZ), the New Zealand National Reflexology Association, evolved out of the amalgamation of two national agencies: NZRA and NZIR . RNZ is affiliated with Natural Health Practitioners NZ (NHPNZ).

In 2001, in the U.S.A., Reflexology Association of Illinois (RAI) achieved exemption from massage law allowing reflexologists to practice.

In the U.K. in 2001, the House of Lords' report on complementary medicine recommended integrating Complementary and Alternative Medicine with conventional medicine, and the Prince of Wales has also advocated integrating various CAM modalities into the U.K. National Health System.

In 2002, In Australia, the Reflexology Association of Australia Ltd. was registered as a National body with the mission: To strengthen reflexology and the knowledge of reflexologists through evidence-based practice, research and promotion.

In 2002, in the U.S.A., Washington Reflexology Association obtained recognition of reflexology as an independent bodywork modality separate from massage.

In 2002, in the U.S.A., The Reflexology Association of Iowa is established as a nonprofit organization to help educate, promote and protect Reflexology in the state of Iowa.

In 2003, in Spain, EDiREFLEX - Association for the study and Difussion of Reflexologies was officially registered in the register of the Generalitat de Catalunya.

In 2004, in Iowa in the U.S.A., Reflexology became exempt from Massage Therapy Licensing in Iowa (HF2201).

In 2004, the European Forum for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (EFCAM), part of the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), was created to promote integrated healthcare in Europe, and Reflexology in Europe Nexus (RiEN) - took membership.

In 2004, the Reflexology Association of America rewrote its bylaws to become a State Affiliated and Member Association. The Delegate Assembly, consisting of two delegates from each member state, is now actively engaged in the support and growth of RAA. State Affiliates are listed by date of affiliation: 2005:  Massachusetts. 2006: Colorado, Maryland, North Carolina, Rhode Island   2007:  Arizona, Ohio   2008:  Connecticut, Georgia, Missouri, New York   2009:  Iowa, Maine   2010:  Alaska     2012:  Florida, New Mexico, Oregon   2013:  Virginia   2014:  Wisconsin.

In January 2005, in the U.S.A., Massachusetts Association of Reflexologists (MAR) became the very first state association to affiliate with the Reflexology Association of America (RAA).

In 2005, in Canada, the Nova Scotia Associations of Reflexology Practitioners (NSARP) was established.

In 2005, in Italy, the Federazione Italiana Reflessologia del Pitos (FIRP) is registered along with 43 associations in the Regional Register of Training Institutions in Bio-Natural Disciplines (DBN).

In 2005, in Poland, thanks to the efforts of Polish Institute of Reflexology, the Ministry of Labor officially introduces “Reflexologist” into the list of new professions in the country.

In 2006, in Greece, the Panhellenic Union of Professional Reflexologists was established.

In 2006, in the U.S.A., Colorado, Maryland, North Carolina, Rhode Island associations affiliated with the Reflexology Association of America.

In 2007, in the U.S.A., Arizona and Ohio associations affiliated with the Reflexology Association of America.

In 2007, with the advice and participation of the China Football Association, the former General Office of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and the former Ministry of Health jointly promulgated the national professional standards for reflexologists, which greatly promoted the cultivation, use and application of reflexology technical talents.

In 2007, in South Africa, The South African Reflexology Society (TSARS) achieves the statutory recognition of Therapeutic Reflexology which is integrated into the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa [AHPCSA]. TSARS now promotes the professional development of its members and is a supportive network for therapists who are registered as Therapeutic Reflexologists with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa .

In 2008, in the U.S.A., Connecticut, Georgia, Missouri and New York  associations affiliated with the Reflexology Association of America

In 2008, in the U.S.A., the Florida Association of Independent Reflexologists (FAIR) was registered as a non-profit corporation with the state of Florida and set out to build an organization that would support its members in their efforts to deliver skilled reflexology to the public and to protect the right of its members to practice in Florida.

In 2008, The Nordic Network extended its membership area to include schools from the Baltic States.

In 2009, in the U.S.A., The Reflexology Association of Iowa (RAIA) and the Maine Council of Reflexologists were granted state affiliation by the Reflexology Association of America (RAA).

In August 2009, in the U.K., the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) opened its Register to Reflexology.

In 2009, in U.S.A., the Florida Association of Independent Reflexologists (FAIR) affiliated with the national Reflexology Association of America (RAA). With the demise of FAIR the following year, reflexologists in the state no longer had a structured network of support or a voice in state and national matters.

In 2010, in the United Kingdom, The Professional Reflexology Association (PR) was founded as a Membership organisation to provide support, information, articles/research and online forums for our Members & Student Members, plus exceptional insurance with our partners Balens.

In 2010, in the U.S.A., Alaska Reflexology Association was granted state affiliation by the Reflexology Association of America (RAA).

In 2011, The International School of Gdansk became the first school from the Baltic States to join The Nordic Network.

In 2012, in the U.S.A., Florida Association of Reflexologists, Oregon Reflexology Network and New Mexico were granted state affiliation by the Reflexology Association of America (RAA).

in 2012, in the U.S.A., the Georgia Reflexology Organization was created as a non-profit organization to support its members.

In 2012, in the U.S.A., the Integrated Reflexologists of Wisconsin, Inc. was formed for the purpose of advancing and supporting the competency and professionalism of Reflexology practitioners and the field of Reflexology in Wisconsin

In 2012, in the U.K. the British Neuroflexology Guild, now the International Neuroflexology Guild was launched."

In 2013, in the U.S.A., Reflexology Association of Virginia was granted state affiliation by the Reflexology Association of America (RAA).

In 2013, in the U.S.A. in Washington State the law was changed, requiring reflexologists to become state certified.

In 2013, in Spain, Isabel Pérez Broncano created the Asociacion Espanola de Reflexologias Ranvvai (AERR), with the personal commitment to bring Reflexology to all those who need it.

In 2014, in the U.S.A., Integrated Reflexologists of Wisconsin was granted state affiliation by the Reflexology Association of America (RAA).

In 2015, in Switzerland, The Pro Reflexo association (The Association of Health Professionals Practicing Reflexotherapy) was formed in Yverdon to bring together the strengths of health professionals practicing reflexotherapy. It stems from amalgamation of the Geneva Association of Reflexotherapist Nurses (AGIR 1984-2013), the Vaud Association of Reflexotherapist Nurses (AVIR 1989-2015) and the Association of Reflexotherapist Nurses of Neuchâtel, Jura and Bernese Jura (AIR Ne-Ju-Be, 1993-2015).

In 2016, in the U.S.A., The National Council for Reflexology Educators (“NCRE”) emerged as a non-profit organization, with the intention of supporting the needs of reflexology teachers, schools and educators. This is done by offering educational resources, forums, conferences, online training, webinars, and a voice at legislative proceedings.

In 2016, in Canada, the Nova Scotia Associations of Reflexology Practitioners (NSARP) changed its name to Atlantic Canada Association of Reflexology Therapists (ACART) to represent Reflexology therapists in Atlantic Canada and Ontario.

In 2016, in U.S.A., the New York State Reflexology Association morphed into the Tristate Reflexology Organization to keep reflexologists in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut informed.

From 2016 to 2017, the Chinese Football Association, together with relevant units of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, organized the assessment of traditional Chinese medicine preventive conditioners (reflexology) and the training of holographic reflexologists, and achieved good results.

In 2018, in the U.S.A., the Florida Association of Reflexologists (FAR) was registered as a non-profit corporation with the state of Florida with the goals of growing a strong family of Florida reflexologists, providing opportunities to increase members’ clinical education, and  promoting each practitioner’s business success, and, ultimately working toward separate licensure for reflexologists in Florida.

In 2019, in France, the A.F.R.C, French Association of Combined Reflexo was created with the aim to bring together reflexologists from different promotions.

In August 2020, Dwight “The Footman” Byers, Past President of the International Institute of Reflexology, Inc. passed. Dwight, nephew of the late Eunice Ingham, the original pioneer and developer of Reflexology. He taught in all 50 states in the U.S.A., 7 provinces in Canada, and 32 foreign countries. He formed “The International Institute of Reflexology” and he authored the book “Better Health With Foot Reflexology. The Original Ingham Method”, which has been translated into nine foreign languages, and he authored Reflexology Charts.

In 2021, in the U.S.A., Reflexology Association of Illinois (RAI) is working with legislators once again regarding the former exemption which now may become licensure for reflexology in Illinois.

In 2022, in Canada this website https://www.reflexologyresources.com was launched with a compilation of reflexology related research, publications, worldwide associations, professional practitioners around the world, reflexology history and other sections to support practitioners: ethics, products, medical terminology, online courses and conferences, health conditions, and business and marketing.

In 2022, in France, the French Association of Independent Reflexologists (AFRI) was founded to promote reflexologists and reflexology at events.

In 2022, the Reflexology Association of Canada, the Reflexology Association of Australia, the Association of Reflexologists (U.K.) and Reflexology New Zealand announce that they are joining forces to form the new World Reflexology Consortium (WRC) a great platform to continue to foster international cooperation within the reflexology community.

In 2022, in the U.S.A., the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Society for Integrative Oncology state in their report that:  Doctors may recommend reflexology or acupressure to people who have pain while receiving systemic therapy for cancer. In addition that:  Doctors may recommend acupuncture, reflexology, or acupressure to people experiencing peripheral neuropathy related to cancer treatment.

 In 2024, members of the Association of Reflexology, U.K. are provided with a listing with the N.H.S. (National Health Service).