September 22/23 2018 Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

It was with great pleasure that I accepted an invitation to give presentations on the development and protocols of A.R.T. reflexology at the symposium.
The symposium was very well attended by enthusiastic reflexologists from all over Ireland and some from the UK.
it was also nice for me to be back in Ireland for two reasons:
Firstly a number of my early seminars were given there in the early 1980s. The first one I gave was at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire, I used that venue a number of times and really enjoyed teaching and staying there.
Seminars were also given at many other venues across southern Ireland.
And secondly, I also spent long spells in nearby Tullamore of which I have fond memories.

It was during these early days that I met Anthony Larkin, who, sadly I was to find out during the symposium had recently passed away. Apart from reflexology, Anthony and I shared another passion which was radio. I have been a keen amateur short wave radio enthusiast since my teenage years - we spent many a time over a Guinness or two and good food, talking things radio, plus of course Reflexology.
I know that everyone at the symposium was with him in their thoughts - see you down the trail Anthony.

The symposium was really well organised by Tomasz Stanczyk who is the NIIR Secretary/Manager. I know from experience how much work goes into organising events like these. Tomasz is has such wonderful qualities and is a very special human being. Thank you Tomasz!
I would like to thank delightful Mary Littlewood and Joan Moore who picked me up at the Airport and provided a massage couch to demonstrate from, and to Roisin Graham for taking me back to the airport after the symposium.

It was also really nice to meet the other speakers:
Marie Therese Shelly who spoke about ‘Self Care for Reflexologists’ (a most important subject)

Susan Quayle  ‘Empowering Families with Reflexology’
Susan has also published some delightful children’s books linked to reflexology. This was her first speaking engagement - I know what a challenge this can be from personal experience. She came through it with flying colours!

Mauricio Kruchik  ‘Reflexology For The Treatment of Pain (For Crohn’s Disease Patients)
I am glad that at last our paths crossed. Mauricio gave a very informative lecture, interspersed with humour which was very well received. I was to find out that he speaks six languages fluently. I am still stuck on English!

For me it was very gratifying the way that my presentations were received. 
Sadly I did not take any photos at the event to post with this article - I am not really into the media platform - I don’t do Facebook.

For those who asked me where they can access further information about A.R.T:  - www.artreflex.com there are many blogs which I have posted there over the years which you may find of interest.
If you would like to get in touch - Email: tonyporter@btconnect.com

I pointed out during my presentation that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the publication of ‘Stories The Feet Can Tell’ by Eunice Ingham. (1938). I doubt very much, in fact I am certain that reflexology would not be where it is today if it was not for her struggles to overcome the legal obstacles preventing reflexology being recognised as a therapy at that time.
For a full account her life, I highly recommend ‘Eunice Ingham a Biography’ by Christine Issel. Christine has also written other books on reflexology.

I also mentioned Eunice’s nephew Dwight Byers, who as many of you know lived with his aunt for many years, and later as a teenager helped her with seminars, and after she died in 1974 made the National Institute into the International Institute. 
Dwight made reflexology more acceptable to the public and gave it a lot of publicity, which is another reason for its popularity today.
It is Dwight’s 90th Birthday in February 2019 he still keeps up his beloved tennis and goes to the gym regularly.

Another topic I mentioned was the Museum of Reflexology which will be based mainly on his Aunts work and life. It will contain many of her artefacts, unpublished writings and books. It will be the world’s first such museum and will be based in Florida. I am honoured to be on the Executive Advisory Board of the museum.

My Best Wishes

Tony Porter

The Worlds First Museum of Reflexology Honouring the life and work of Eunice Ingham 
I heard from my great friend Ignacio Sanchez that he, in conjunction with Dwight Byers will be opening a museum of reflexology in the U.S. It will be based mainly on the life and work of Eunice Ingham (The Mother of Reflexology) Her nephew Dwight Byers has supplied all of her reflexology artefacts, most of which have never been seen before. The museum will chronicle the history of the development of reflexology up to and beyond the contribution which Eunice Ingham made.
The process of curating and cataloging all the many thousands of pictures and items relating to the history of Eunice and reflexology is going on at this time. I am also doing the same with the many hundreds of photos I have of my international travelling days with Dwight in the early 1970s through to 2009. Many of these will be included in the museum.
It will also have a section on the development of A.R.T.
I am honoured to have been made a member of the Executive Advisory Board.
There is a website which is being developed at this time, and as soon as this is up and running will be announced on the ART website.​

The location of the Museum will initially be based in Hallandale, Florida, although
Ignacio tells me he has plans to Exhibit the contents of the museum in many countries throughout the world, including the U.K. So lets wait and see what transpires.

I have, over the years seen many of the exhibits, unpublished writings and books by Eunice Ingham and they do really make fascinating reading. They also reveal the legal battles she fought to continue to promote reflexology in those days.
As a sidenote - It is Dwight Byers 90th Birthday in February next year 2019! A big party is being arranged in St. Petersburg, Florida. Dwight still plays his beloved tennis and gives treatments. 

My Best Wishes

Tony Porter


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This is how my Dupuytren's looked before surgery. 
Commonly affecting the fourth finger (although it can involve one or more fingers and sometimes the thumb) which gradually, over time as you can see, becomes bent and pulled towards the palm.
This is caused by a thickening of the connective tissue (Collagen) in the palm, causing hard nodules to form - a condition known as Fibromatosis. 
Dupuytren’s can effect both sexes but is more common in men.
There are various speculations about its causation, there is a strong genetic link as the condition is more common in those form Northern European or Scandinavian descent,  it is for this reason that it is referred to as the Viking disease.There is also speculation of a link to thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto’s disease.
In my case it has not been caused by my years in reflexology, but through my genetic ancestry, interestingly I also have Hashimoto’s. 
My Dupuytren’s  began to develop many years ago, but recently became worse  affecting my work which necessitated surgery.

The condition can affect other areas of the body, such as the penis (Peyronie’s disease). However (and this is something which concerns reflexologists) it can also effect the feet, causing the same nodules to form on the plantar surface and sometimes on the medial heel, but without the curvature or bending of the toes as in the hand. In this case the condition is known as Ledderhose disease. ​It is not particularly common, but worthy of note. It can cause foot pain when walking. I would always refer to a podiatrist.
This brings me to the point of my blog 
I often receive calls of consternation from reflexologists who have either found these lumps (which are sometimes small) on the feet of patients, or on their own feet. Their concern is that the lumps which may be located over certain reflex areas are harbinger's of doom!
A foot reader once told a student of mine that the lumps in her feet (Ledderhose disease) meant that she has had and was having a rocky journey through life. Being told this myth she found to be rather upsetting!
I had a great surgeon who made a wonderful job of releasing my finger joints without leaving scars or inflexibility. So back to work it is!
Best wishes
Tony
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