REFLEXOLOGY HISTORY - U.S.A.

It has been claimed that the twentieth American President James A. Garfield (1831 -1881 A.D.) was able to alleviate the pains he had following an assassination attempt on his life, by applying pressure to various points in his feet, while pain-killing medicines gave him no relief. He subsequently died from his wounds.

In 1895, William Fitzgerald received his medical degree from the University of Vermont.

Dr. William Fitzgerald was present in Vienna in 1902 – so, he was likely aware of the publications of Dr. Vladimir Bekhterev, Dr Algien Benedikt and Dr. Alfons Cornelius.

Around 1909, Dr. William Fitzgerald claims to discover zone therapy. In his book published in 1917, he writes “ Six years ago I accidently discovered that pressure with a cotton-tipped probe on the muco-cutaneous margins (where the skin joins the mucus membrane) of the nose gave an anesthetic result as though a cocaine solution had been applied. I further found that there were many spots in the nose, mouth, throat, and on both surfaces of the tongue which, when pressed firmly, deadened definite areas of sensation…………..This led to my ‘mapping out’ these various areas and their associated connections, and also to noting the conditions influenced through them. This science I have named zone therapy.”

In 1915, Dr. Edwin Bowers published an article in Everybody’s Magazine in the U.S.A. entitled “To Stop That Toothache, Squeeze Your Toe” – bringing the work of Dr. William Fitzgerald to the public for the first time.

In 1917, Dr. William Fitzgerald and Dr. Edwin Bowers co-authored their book “Zone Therapy” or “Relieving Pain in the Home” which shows the body divided into ten zones.

In 1919, Dr. William Fitzgerald and Dr. Edwin Bowers enlarged this book, publishing it as “Zone Therapy or Curing Pain and Disease.”

In 1919, in the U.S.A. Dr. Joe Shelby Riley published his book “Zone Therapy Simplified” in which he added eight horizontal zones to the ten longitudinal zones of Dr. Fitzgerald and Dr. Bowers.

In 1919, Eunice Ingham commenced her studies at the National University of Therapeutics in Washington, D.C. where she first met Dr. Joe Shelby Riley, the president of the university.

In 1924, in the U.S.A. Dr. Joe Shelby Riley published his book “Zone Reflex”.

In 1928, Eunice Ingham received her diploma in physiotherapy from the Columbia Institute of Physiotherapy.

In 1928, in the U.S.A. Benedict Lust published his book “Zone Therapy”.

During the early 1930’s Eunice Ingham worked for Dr. Joe Shelby Riley as a therapist in Florida while also working in the realm of property management. During this time, Dr. Riley was very supportive of Eunice and her research of Dr. Fitzgerald’s zone therapy to develop her theories of working with the feet.

In 1938, Eunice Ingham published her first book “Stories the Feet Can Tell” and commenced her lecturing career that continued for 40 years. Eunice became very well known, and travelled the world attending health seminars where she spoke with medical practitioners about her therapy.

In 1942, Dr. Joe Shelby Riley published his book “Zone Reflex: All Its Applications Made Plain and Simple for Use By Any One.”

In 1945, Eunice Ingham publishes her second book “Zone Therapy and Gland Reflexes” which was revised in 1951 and published as “Stories the Feet Have Told”.

In September 1955, 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, 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, that led him to quit practicing reflexology. The State of South Dakota then cracked down on all reflexology practitioners.

In 1958, 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. 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. A jury found her not guilty.

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

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

In 1968, 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 1969, Mildred Carter published her best selling book “Helping Yourself with Foot Reflexology” Following publication she was harassed by the American Medical Association.

In 1970, physiotherapist Hanne Marquardt studied with Eunice Ingham.

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

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

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

In 1985, 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 1987, 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 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 May 1989, in Denver, Colorado the first Conference of North American Reflexologists (CNAR) was held.

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

In 1990, the American Reflexology Certification Board was founded to provide National Certification to individuals who met certain qualifications of skill and knowledge.

In 1990, in Toronto, Canada the Council of North American Reflexologists and the Reflexology Association of Canada sponsored a conference at which the International Council of Reflexologists (ICR) was inaugurated to provide a global forum for the exchange of ideas and information within the reflexology profession. ICR convenes international conferences every two years and promotes World Reflexology Week the third week of September every year.

In 1990, in Maine reflexology was excluded from the state massage registration law.

In 1990, in New Mexico reflexology gained an exemption as a native healing method.

In 1992, the North Dakota Reflexology Association was founded.

In 1993, in U.S.A., the first research study evaluating reflexology, was published in a medical journal. Dr. Terry Olesen and William (Bill) Flocco  published their reflexology study “Randomized Controlled Study of Premenstrual Symptoms Treated with Ear, Hand and Foot Reflexology” in the Journal of Obstretrics & Gynecology.

In 1993, North Dakota becomes the first U.S. State with its own reflexology certification and registration Board.

In 1995, the Reflexology Association of America was formed as an individual member organization.

In 1996, the New York State Reflexology Association was founded.

In 2000, 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, 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 Association of Illinois (RAI) achieved exemption from massage law allowing reflexologists to practice.

In 2002, Washington Reflexology Association obtained recognition of reflexology as an independent bodywork modality separate from massage.

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

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

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, Massachusetts Association of Reflexologists (MAR) became the very first state association to affiliate with the Reflexology Association of America

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

In 2007, Arizona and Ohio associations affiliated with the Reflexology Association of America.

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

In 2008, 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 2009, The Reflexology Association of Iowa (RAIA) and the Maine Council of Reflexologists were granted state affiliation by the Reflexology Association of America (RAA).

In 2009, the Florida Association of Independent Reflexologists (FAIR) affiliated with the national Reflexology Association of America. 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, Alaska Reflexology Association was granted state affiliation by the Reflexology Association of America.

In 2012, Florida Association of Reflexologists, Oregon Reflexology Network and New Mexico were granted state affiliation by the Reflexology Association of America.

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

In 2012, 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 2013, Reflexology Association of Virginia was granted state affiliation by the Reflexology Association of America

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

In 2014, Integrated Reflexologists of Wisconsin was granted state affiliation by the Reflexology Association of America.

In 2016, The National Council for Reflexology Educators (“NCRE”) emerged as a non-profit organization, with the mission to set national standards for reflexology education and to recognize educators and programs that meet those standards.

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

In 2018, 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 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, 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.”