The recent history of reflexology is chronicled in the media of the day. References to reflexology on television, in movies, and in newspaper and magazine articles follow the struggles, the successes and, most of all, the uses of the field of study. From the first article to the last, Edwin Bowers' description of William Fitzgerald's work in "To stop that toothache, squeeze your toe" (1914) to the last one is reminded of the French saying "Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose." The more things change, the more they are the same. The use and appreciation of reflexology remains constant throughout the years while controversy nips at its heels.
From the famous client to the concerned reflexologist, the rich pagent of reflexology and its people parades by in story after story. British royal family members Prince Charles, Princess Diana and the Duchess of York are cited as reflexology users in four articles and a television show over a six year period (May 28, 1991 on television, Oct. 7, 1990, Aug., 1988, Jul. 15, 1986, Unknown, 1985). Sports figures Sandi Lyle (Apr. 17, 1988, Jul. 10, 1989) and Muhammed Ali (Unknown, 1978) have used reflexology. Television personality Regis Philbin (Jan., 1989) and actress Tracy Nelson (Oct., 1989) report solving health problems using reflexology. Broadway choreographer Tommy Tune (Unknown, 1988) is said to travel with a reflexologist and Jacqueline Onaissis is reported to have tried it (Oct. 24, 1976). Then again, reflexologists Linda Best of Orono, Maine (Jan. 5, 1990), Roberta Thompson of San Angelo, Texas (May 17, 1990, Shirley Lyle of Evansville, Indiana (Aug. 21, 1988) and others tell their stories.
Two dates stand out. 1970 marks the beginning of an influx of written articles about reflexology and 1988 marks the start of reflexology references on the air. The legal battle for the use of the word reflexology by Mildred Carter and Prentice Hall in 1970 resulted in a new freedom to use the word in naming services. Presaged by mention in the movies, reflexology took off on television in 1988.
Early articles about reflexology typically appeared in local newspapers or specialty health magazines. The articles discussed the work of local reflexologists such as Anna Kaye of San Francisco in Let's Live (1973) and John Perkins in The Indianapolis Star (1976). Beginning in 1983 with an article in Woman's Day, reflexology articles and references became a staple of women's magazines. Today, references in health and women's magazines continue as mention in other specialty market magazines increases. The expansion of reflexology work into the spa market, the massage field and the cosmetology profession is reflected by articles about and reference to reflexology in massage and cosmetology magazines. Articles in women's magazine about spas and massage frequently mention reflexology. Most recently, references to reflexology are included in sports medicine articles and those about interpersonal relationships.
Articles range from silly to serious. Colorado Springs newspaper columnist Joe Barber jokingly suggests that we all "Make a Friend, Hug a Foot" by working on foot areas such as "the tickle zone." (June 12, 1983) San Francisco columnist Jon Carroll jokes with high praise about "foot rubs," stating that "A nation run on a currency of foot rubs would be impregnable to recession." (Dec. 5, 1990) On the more serious side nurse Barbara Zeller Dobbs reports on the use of reflexology in working with cancer patients (Feb. 27, 1985) and a Mount Sinai Hospital pediatric resident reports result with a premature infant. (Jan., 1981) A four study by the Alternative Healing Systems Project at Montclair State College in New Jersey discusses the interest in reflexology and other alternative fields as a shift in paradigms about health pursuit. (Jan./Feb., 1989)
Controversy is found in articles almost every time the medical community is asked for an opinion about reflexology. At the most extreme is a 1972 article from The Sunday Telegraph of Sydney, Australia titled "Doctors move to outlaw book by quack." The article states that "A group of Sydney doctors will approach the AMA (Australian Medical Association) next month and call for the government to stop the sale of the book." The book in question is the 1917 publication Zone Therapy by Dr. William Fitzgerald.
When asked about reflexology as part of articles about local reflexologists, medical community comments refer to reflexology as a cult, quackery or unscientific. Such comments are, however are usually buried among stories by those who have experienced significant health change thanks to reflexology. A Jacksonville, Florida podiatrist referred to reflexology as voodoo in a 1982 article but a mother also describes how her 6 year old daughter solved a chronic ear infection problem using reflexology after years of failure using Western medicine. A local contractor also talks about walking again after paralysis thanks to reflexology. More recently, however, critical comments are not blunted in magazine articles where reflexology is included as just another massage modality. A February, 1991 Shape magazine article fails to add any rebuttal to a negative statement about reflexology.
The first known foot working scene on film occurred in the 1934 movie Imitation of Life starring Claudette Colbert. More recently, a series of movies, beginning with Stay Hungry and Beau Bridges' work on Sally Fields' feet in 1976, led the way for reflexology appearances on television in the late 1980's. Art imitates life as the movies Atlantic City (1980), Cocoon (1985), Overboard (1987) and Married to the Mob (1988) mirror everyday reflexology use on film. Working with a health problem (Atlantic City), easing tired feet (Imitation of Life, Married to the Mob), boy romances girl (Stay Hungry, Married to the Mob), girl looks after boy (Overboard, Cocoon) and discussion of personal problems (Imitation of Life) are themes common to the movie reflexology and real life reflexology. Most of all, reflexology is utilized as a vehicle to move forward personal relationships on film and in real life.
Reflexology burst onto the television screen in 1988. In an amazing 60 day period from Oct. 21 to Dec. 15, 1988, reflexology "appeared" on national television 8 times. The "appearances" included highly rated and widely viewed situation comedies Roseanne (tired feet theme), Who's the Boss? (help with a health problem is mistaken for romantic intentions) and Dear John (girl romances unwilling boy) . Newsand talk show appearances (USA Today, Good Morning America, Regis and Kathie Lee, Sonja Friedman and Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous) ranged from a brief glance at reflexology socks to interviews with reflexologists Laura Norman and Jinnah Emamdee . The fourteen references to reflexology on television in 1988 easily eclipsed the five previous appearances for all years. In addition movies with foot working scenes started making their way onto cable television with 5 showings of the movie Overboard in December, 1988.
Reflexology appearances have increased each year. Sporting events, soap operas and game shows have been added to situation comedies (and their reruns), movies, news and talk shows as venues for reflexology. Reflexology was pictured on television screens across the country as part of some of the most watched programs during the 1990 - 1991 season. Cheers, Murphy Brown (twice), Roseanne (again), Designing Women, Star Trek and Babes.
The decade of the 1980's showed increasing media interest in reflexology. The year 1981 showed no appearances on television and 3 print articles. By August, the year 1991 has experienced 18 appearances of reflexology on national television, 42 appearances on cable television and 20 articles in magazines and newspapers. By any standards, reflexology has come a long way in print and on the air. And there's no end in sight.
Foot massagers," "foot rubs" and "reflexology massages" have all made an appearance on situation comedies during the 1997 fall television season. And, judging by past history, three new fall season television programs showing foot work could go on to success.
Is the foot working scene an indicator of success for a program? The foot scene first appeared on a situation comedy, Roseanne, in the fall of 1988. Since that time some of America's most dysfunctional families and some of its closest have related through the foot. Some thirty-seven situation comedies have featured foot working scenes or mentions. Thirty-two of them have succeeded, appearing season after season on prime time television and year after year in syndicated rerun.
Among new programs for the fall 1997 season, three have featured foot working scenes. In Dharma and Greg, Dharma informs the yoga class she teaches that "Reflexology massages are in Room 103." New programs Veronica's Closet and Hiller & Diller included mentions of foot massagers. So far Veronica's Closet is the most highly rated of the three.
Also during the fall season, successful situation comedies from previous years have included foot work scenes: Friends, Home Improvement, and Grace Under Fire. On Friends, Rachel promises Chandler a month of foot rubs in exchange for a favor. In another episode, the workplace of Friends' character Phoebe, a massage therapist, is pictured with a reflexology chart on the wall. On Home Improvement, Jill and Tim's marriage is threatened and he works on her feet as the two talk on the couch.
In 1997, 68 foot work/reflexology mentions or scenes appeared on national television. A record was set in 1996 with 101 sightings. (These numbers reflect actual sightings. So many situation comedies with foot scenes are shown so many times a day across America that a totally accurate count is not possible.)
If it seems that reflexology is on television everyday, that's because it is &emdash;almost.
The rabid American television viewer (who didn't mind watching reruns) had an opportunity to see foot work or reflexology on national television 128 times in 1995&emdash;one of every three days.
Forty-three programs pictured foot work in 1995, but, thanks to re-run programs, the actual number of appearances was 128. The movie "Lightning Jack," for example, appeared nineteen times on pay cable channels in 1995.
The representation of foot work on air has changed so quickly in recent years that 1988 was the first year of substantial Danielson of footwork scene in American television programs. The year 1996 is off to fast start with 31 appearances of foot work on national television in the first fifty days of the year.
A review of media "appearances" by reflexology and foot rubbing during 1994 shows some all-time high numbers. A record 55 "appearances" were made during reflexology presentations and foot rubbing scenes on nationally broadcast American television in 1994. Similarly, a record 51 "appearances" was made by reflexology and foot work in magazine and newspaper articles in 1994. (See page 2.) The year 1995 is off to a fast start with 12 reflexology / foot work appearances in the month of January. (See below.)
Of particular interest in examining media appearances is the statement it makes about the cultural viewpoint of foot work in America. The steady and ever-increasing number of foot work mentions in American media speaks of an idea increasingly accepted by Americans and creating an unofficial sanctioning for its practice.
In China, foot work is a readily acceptable pursuit because of generations of experience with such ideas. The net result of such acceptance is illustrated by the use of reflexology by doctors in China to treat disease, as well as, the government's decision to encourage the use of reflexology within the community.
During the 1980's, a series of movies included foot working scenes. Scenes blossomed on television situation comedies beginning in 1988.
Roseanne. Dear John, Who's the Boss?, Cheers, Murphy Brown, Married with Children, Coach, and Wings showed foot working scenes over the next several years. These popular situation comedies then went into "re-run heaven," i. e., were sold for syndication and daily re-runs on television stations across the country. Foot working scenes were soon shown nightly.
Succeeding generations of programs continue to picture foot working scenes on television and in the movies. The 1994-1995 television schedule has included several new situation comedies with foot working scenes: Frasier, Ellen, Friends, Madman of the People, and Cybil. A reference to rubbing feet has been included in two Home Improvement programs, the nation's number one program. In addition, highly acclaimed, E. R., an emergency room drama, has aired a foot rubbing scene.
Media-watching has been an interesting sport for observers of reflexology during 1993. It could be seen as the year of the rich and the famous. After all, Michael Jackson, Princess Diana and Marla Maples are all reported to have used reflexology in 1993. Or maybe, it could be the year of the nurse. Five articles about reflexology were published in nursing journals around the world, the most for any year.
Or, may be, 1993 in media will be seen as the year reflexology became swept up in an a review of alternative therapies by the American public, government, business and orthodox medical communities. Print media reflects the national interest in alternative therapies.
Media interest in reflexology has sky-rocketed since 1984. Television mentions have jumped 300% since 1988. Print media mentions have jumped 33% since 1988 and 300% since 1984.
In general, a more diverse interest about reflexology has emerged in the media over the past decade. This is especially clear in a review of 1993 media. More people are saying more things about reflexology in print and on the air.
To the long-time observer of reflexology, some reporters, consumers, and practitioners take an approach to reflexology and foot work not previously considered by the professional reflexologist. While publicists take the viewpoint that any media mention is a positive thing, professional reflexologists worry that their serious field of study will be trivialized and altered.
Some media presentations appear to trivialize or trash reflexology without a fair hearing. The author of a Family Circle article advises consumers "if you're seeking healing you'd be smart to spend your money elsewhere (other than on reflexology). The author of a travel article about a New York spa starts the article by stating, "The principles explained by the masseur of awesome upper-body strength made me wonder: Could a less principled reflexologist use the feet as joysticks to regulate the body's other pleasure centers?"
The presentation of the reflexology idea appears to vary with the reporter and his or her sources. An August Self article defines reflexology as "Massage technique focused solely on the feet. Based on the 4,000-year-old Egyptian theory that says points on the feet correspond to specific body parts and that deep massage of these points can correct metabolic problems."
Some reflexology service providers appear to present reporters with their own unique version of reflexology practice. In a July Vogue article, a New York day spa reflexologist reports that "pain in the area of the adrenal gland (on the foot) is caused by chocolate, caffeine and stress."
That such a statement would be made by a New York reflexology service provider adds to the professional reflexologists' further concern, the alteration of the idea resulting from massage laws. The state of New York has required a massage license of reflexology service providers for the longest time of any governmental agency in the U. S. The law has been in effect for more than ten years. The concerns to professional reflexologists are what service is the consumer being provided with after ten years of massage laws and what ideas are being presented by service providers as those of reflexology.
Some reflexologists worry that the media quest for material, any material, might lead to an incident similar to an August CNN news report about alternative practices. A reporter took an undercover camera into a sales presentation for a vitamin company to document shady practices. The presenter appears to endorse iridology as the means to determine what vitamins to sell. Will reflexology be targeted in a similar manner? Will the practices of all reflexology providers stand up to a general scrutiny? Could the actions of a few, caught on camera, impact the whole field adversely?
Like it or not, media interest will continue. Those concerned about the media's message about reflexology, consider writing a letter to the editor of the publication to express objections. Consider what image of reflexology should be projected and what can be done to make it happen.
• Five articles about reflexology have appeared in nursing journals in Britain, Australia, Switzerland, and South Africa during the year, reflecting a more serious look by nursing researchers.
• The rich and the famous are linked to reflexology frequently by the media. A gossip columnist on television reported that Michael Jackson sees a reflexologist. She then demonstrated with a Laura Norman reflexology pillow. Marla Maples, wife of Donald Trump gave birth to the couple's child with the help of Aiko Aiyana, Los Angeles area massage therapist who uses reflexology in her specialty, birthing. She "rubbed Marla's feet to relax her." Princess Diana, it was revealed in July, visits a reflexologist. Well-known metaphysical author Louise Hay publicly credits New York reflexologist Joe Horan with helping her recovery from cancer.
• Reflexology services are increasingly offered as part of a spa package. Whether taking the waters in Mexico, cruising on a high seas spa, or visiting a spa in Scottsdale, Napa Valley, Orlando or up-state New York, the spa visitor will find reflexology services available. Six travel/spa articles over three years show that reflexology is increasingly included by spas as part of their programs. (See "Reflexology at the Spa.")
• Positive opinions continue to be presented. Other authors merely note that everyone's trying alternative therapies, "Doctors may scoff at alternative medicine but people are trying it anyway." (First) "More and more people (footsore and frazzled mothers among them) have come to rely on reflexology to calm their nerves and gain peace of mind." (Parenting)
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