REFLEXOLOGY HISTORY - EUROPE

In 1582, according to Harry Bond Bressler in his book “Zone Therapy”, medical doctors Dr. Adamus and Dr.A’tatis published a book on Zone therapy. Similarly, in 1583 medical doctor Dr. Ball published a book on Zone therapy in Leipzig.

German physiologist, Johann August Unzer (1747 – 1807) was the first to use the word “reflex” when referring to motor reactions in his work published in 1771.

Algien Benedikt, Germany, published in 1892 “On Neuralgia and Neurologic Effects, Questions of Clinical Treatment and Clinical Problems.”

The Babinski reflex is named after neurologist Joseph Babinski, who first described the reflex in 1893 in France in his paper ”A Phenomenon of the Toes and its Symptomological Value”. In 1896, he presented his additional findings in ”Plantar Cutaneous Reflexes in Certain Organic Conditions of the Central Nervous System.”. The Babinski reflex is sometimes also referred to as the plantar reflex, extensor plantar reflex, or the Babinski sign. Since its discovery, testing the Babinski reflex has become a common part of newborn and infant examinations throughout the world.

In 1899, Dr. Otto Naegeli published in Germany “Treatment and Healing of Nervous Suffering and Nervous Pain by Hand Manipulation.”

Dr. Algien Benedikt published his book in 1902 "On Neuralgia and Neurologic Effects, Questions of Clinical Treatment and Clinical Problems.”

Dr. Alfons Cornelius, who found support for his theories in the publications of Dr. Nargeli Treatment and Healing of Nervous Suffering and Nervous Pain by Hand Manipulation” and that of Dr. Algien Benedikt “On Neuralgia and Neurological Effects, Questions of Clinical Treatment and Clinical Problems”, published in Germany in 1902 “Druckpunkte” or “Pressure Points, Their Origin and Significance”.. He would only teach fellow physicians his “nerve massage” techniques.

Dr. Vladimir Bekhterev published a book “Psyche and Life,” written in 1902, which contained multiple volumes including “Foundations for Brain Functions Theory” written in 1903. “Foundations for Brain Functions Theory” described Bekhterev's views on the functions of the parts of the brain and the nervous system.

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

According to Herman Kamenetz in his book “History of Massage” a German physician, Dr. Barczewski introduced in 1911 a similar technique to that of Dr. Alfons Cornelius, calling it “Reflexmassage”.

In 1914, Dr. Arsende d’Arsonal, a French physician, published in Germany “The Future of Medicine” in which he predicts that the future of medical therapies will entail the use of heat, light and electricity, not drugs. According to Dr. W.D. Chesney in “Zone Therapy Is Scientific.” Dr. d’Arsonal used PhysioTherapy to get relief following the use of reflex knowledge.

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

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 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 1991, in Denmark, reflexologists became represented in the Council of Alternative Medicine at the National Board of Health.

In 1991 in Ireland, members of the Institute of Reflex Zone Therapy and Society of Reflexologists came together under a new name and chose the title “The Irish Council of Reflexologists”.

In 1992, the Association of Greek Reflexologists was officially founded with the distinctive title S.E.R. based in Athens.

In 1994, the Reflexology in Europe (RiEN) was founded to provide support to its members with annual meetings, the sharing of current standards in each country to assist development, and to exchange research information.

In 1995, in Ireland, The Irish Council of Reflexologists and the Society of Reflexologists united to form The Irish Reflexologists’ Institute.

In 1995, in Brussels, organisations and schools of reflexology in RiEN prepared a submission for Paul Lannoyewho had prepared a report on the state of complementary medicine in Europe for the European Commission and had not mentioned reflexology.

In 1998, in Germany, the International Teacher’s Association for Reflexology on the Foot – School Hanne Marquardt was founded to maintain a high professional standard of therapy and to further develop it in practice and theory.

In 1998, in Ireland, the National Register of Reflexologists - Ireland (NRRI) was established as a registered professional body to regulate the practice of reflexology in Ireland as a complementary therapy, through qualified registered members and affiliated schools.

In 1998, in France, The French Federation of Reflexologists was created to bring together Reflexology professionals as well as approved training centers.

In Belgium, the C.E.R. Centre d’Etude de Reflexologie was created by Yves Vanopdenbosch in 1998 and made official in 1999.

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

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