REFLEXOLOGY HISTORY - U.K.

In 1833, physiologist, Marshall Hall (1790 – 1857) introduced the concept and term “reflex action”.

In 1878, Dr. T. Lauder Brunton published an article “Reflex Action as a Cause of Disease and Means of Cure” which presented the benefits of inducing a blister on the skin in order to promote healing of an internal organ. “the blister acts reflexly upon the organ itself”.

In 1893 Sir Henry Head published his research paper “On disturbance of Sensation with Especial Reference to the Pain of Visceral Disease.” proving a direct relationship between the application of pressure to the skin and internal organs. His research culminated into what has become known as “Head’s Zones” or “Zones of Hyperalgesia”.

In 1906, Sir Charles Sherrington published his classic work The Integrative Action of the Nervous System”. He proved that stimuli are produced within the organism by movements in its own tissue, and that the essential function of the nervous system was to coordinate the activity of various parts of the organism. He called this the proprioceptive system. Sensory receptors in our joints, muscles, and skin work together to build body awareness.

In 1978, 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, Nicola Hall, who trained with Doreen Bayly, commenced running The Bayly School of Reflexology.

In 1983, 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 1984, 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 Great Britain, The British Reflexology Association(BRA) 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 Newcastle, UK in 1994, the first European Conference of Reflexology was organised to discuss various subjects and the result was a unanimous vote to continue a biennial conference.

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 2010, 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 2012, the British Neuroflexology Guild,, now the International Neuroflexology Guild was launched."

In 2022, the Association of Reflexologists (U.K.), the Reflexology Association of Canada, the Reflexology Association of Australia, 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 greater reflexology community.