An almost forgotten Canadian doctor was the pioneer of reflexology in North America.
Dr. Mahlon Locke was one of the most famed medics in North America during the 1930’s. The roads to the little town of Williamsburg, Ontario were jammed with vehicles making their was to his rustic dispensary, and his techniques of foot manipulation were widely sought and held in great esteem by the lay public and press.
Yet today Dr. Mahlon Locke is virtually unknown, though there is an historic plaque commemorating his career in the town of Williamsburg.
While one would think Locke would be heralded and acclaimed in the annals of reflexology, the history section of the website of The Ontario College of Reflexology makes not a single mention of Dr. Locke.
Locke was born on St. Valentine’s Day, 1880, in Dixon’s Corners, Ontario, not far from Williamsburg, the town where he would eventually practice.
He received a conventional medical degree from Queen’s University in 1905 and went on to work with the Algoma Steel Corporation, then did post-graduate training in Edinburgh, Scotland, returning as a licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons.
He purchased a practice in Williamsburg in 1908 and for the next 20 years carried on a competent and conventional country practice. Somewhere along the line he picked up a knowledge of foot manipulation, now popularly know as reflexology. He treated his first patient by this technique in 1909 when Peter Beckstead, the village blacksmith came to him complaining of fallen arches. Locke manipulated Beckstead’s feet, then had the village shoemaker construct what he called a “cookie” but which in fact was an orthotic appliance fabricated to support Beckstead’s arches.
Initially “toe-twisting” occupied only a small portion of Locke’s practice, which included duties as the district coroner and running a satellite office at Prescott, Ontario. The especial efficacy of his technique for arthritis eventually attracted attention of the lay press. By 1925 Locke’s practice began to be dominated by his foot manipulation techniques.
Where did Locke learn and develop his abilities in this form of treatment? Reflexology is hardly a new technique with depictions appearing in ancient Egyptian tomb paintings, and it was well known in India and the Far East where it was felt to be useful in channeling “qi” or life energy. A form of reflexology was also known and practiced by North American Native groups, especially the Cherokee. Certain lecturers in Edinburgh taught that foot conditions such as fallen arches could be treated with manual manipulation. Perhaps Dr. Locke refined and broadened his techniques from interactions with some of the local Native peoples.
____________
Locke’s fame became assured when he treated popular then renowned novelist Rex Ellington Beach, and subsequently was written up in the August, 1932 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.
He soon became overwhelmed with patients demanding his services and would often seat himself in an swivel office chair with lines of patients surrounding him and would rotate from one person to another, sometimes treating 1,000 patients or more daily. His motivation did not seem to be mercenary, however, as he would never charge more than one dollar for his treatments, and still saw conventional patients for 25 cents or free if they couldn’t afford to pay. In fact when several hotels were built in Williamsburg to house his burgeoning clientele, Locke forbade them to charge more than one dollar a night, threatening to build his own hostelry.
Locke still would prescribe his “cookies” or orthotics but eventually came up with his own line of Lockewedge Shores which were stocked by Macy’s in New York and Simpson’s in Toronto.
Later in life, Dr. Locke developed diabetes, and eventually his grueling pace caught up with him. He died in 1942 of pneumonia, just shy of his 62nd birthday.
Locke’s son and brother-in-law tried to keep the clinic open, claiming they had been taught the “toe-twisting” techniques but they were unsuccessful. His secret died with him.
During his career Mahlon Locke was met by indifference within the Canadian medical community and hostility from his American colleagues. Dr. Morris Fishbein, editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association was a vociferous critic of Locke’s techniques of treating arthritis. Yet mainstream medicine’s accepted germ theory of arthritis at that time now seems laughable and its mutilating surgical therapies horrifying.
Even modern reflexology credits its origins to the zone therapy of Dr. William Fitzgerald in Connecticut despite the fact that he didn’t commence developing this until 1913, fully four years after Locke first treated local blacksmith Peter Beckstead.
Truthfully, it can be said that the true origins of reflexology and pedorthics in North America were initiated by Dr. Mahlon Locke, another forgotten and neglected Canadian pioneer.
Photo Credits
Dr. Mahlon W. Locke Plaque – Alan L Brown – Ontario’s Historical Plaques
Feet – Kaleidoscope Health
Charles Stewart says
There is film of Dr Lock treating patients. He worked very qickly, and had s=assistants to whom he referred patients. He was so successful that The Canadian Pacific built a statiion to service the thousands of people who came. There is first person accounts by people treated by him.
Dr Locke was tutored by a very special physician in Edinborough, a man who was able to diagonse someone referred to him by studying the person and spot the condition of the person in moments. Dr Locke was apparently very impressed by this consultant.
Dr Locke treated the blacksmith in Williamsburg for many years perhaps learning new techniques, he didn’t teach anyone, and would not talk of his tecnique instead he wanted to discuss his very special herd of cows. Could it be that his magic was not something contained an element that he didn’t fully understand. He transformed Williamsburg which was prosperous throughout the depression.
David Smyth says
I, too have researched Dr. Locke and through surrogate muscle testing have worked out how I think he did it. I now treat my patients with my (updated) method. I would love to compare notes
George Burden says
Hello David, I researched the history but not the techniques. I would love to know more about the science and current undestanding of what Locke was doing.
David Smyth says
George, I’m very willing to do a zoom session with you (publickly or not) to demonstrate how I use his technique – A film maker I treat went out to Williamsburg and met Dr. Locke’s son and grandson. It is through this connection that I traced back to the technique the Dr. was using. (Mostly on the navicular). I have found that the energy often changes here (also at the medial malleolus and proximal 1st metatarsal joint. I release the stuck energy here which is then transmitted up the entire body via the Ren or CV channel (central front of body) As an acupuncturist as well, I also needle this channel with remarkable results, particularly of late in regard to covid vaccination reactions. Very happy to share this knowledge with the world.
Patricia says
Hello ‘ 6 years later!
I hope all is well and safe.
I opened a clinic 6 years ago and loving sharing my work directly following how I feel about the feet … i spent a lit of time in China enough, to see how some live and some follow the TCM… its amazing 24hr foot massages! Take good care.. all the best, Patricia
George Burden says
Thanks for sharing this Patricia!
John Casselman says
Dr Locke is my great grandfather. My parents and many members of our extended family still reside in or around the village of Williamsburg. Nice to see his work being discussed nearly 80 after his passing. For many in the community he brought not only medical relief, but also helped to wisk them through the depression. Although there isn’t much to the village today, it once boasted a newspaper, movie theatre and multiple hotels to accommodate the many visitors who came from all over the world. At his peak he was seeing upward of 1,000 patients daily with many more waiting in line. We have photos and old videos in which people would wait in line all day for a single treatment that might take 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
In any event, I thank you again for calling attention to Dr Locke
Dr Carol Samuel says
Hi John, Nice to know that Dr Locke still has relatives in the area. I am a British reflexologist and the first person to have achieved a PhD in reflexology and pain management. I am currently writing a book on reflexology and would be glad of any historical details relating to your father that you would be happy for me to use in a book for academia. It would be great to include him in the history of reflexology section.
If you are happy to help, please do email me: carol@reflexmaster.co.uk
Patricia says
Hi Carol,
Nice to meet you here ‘ I’m an Irish trained Scottish practicing, reflexologist!! Would love to chat sometime.. my website is http://www.mindingfeet.com I have a foot clinic in the high street of a small market town… first things for everything! I hope all is well and safe. Take good care, Patricia xx
Patricia says
Hi John,
Was there ever a book on his work or maps ‘ instructions left behind.. I mindfully do his work.. its amazing work with some brilliant results .. thank you ‘ his memory will last for years .. God bless, Patricia
Elizabeth Gross says
As a young teen who had “flat feet” I had my feet manipulated by Dr. Locke. My father picked me up at school at noon-hour and we drove the ten miles from Winchester to Williamsburg. Dr. Locke treated me in his living room – “cracked” each toe and then manipulated each arch. He advised my father to have the shoemaker put “cookies” in my shoes. When my dad tried to pay him Dr. Locke said, ” I can’t charge the school inspector!” For years I had cookies in my shoes and now orthotics and, for a ’90-something, have “good feet”, for which I thank Dr. Locke.
George Burden says
Dr. Locke was ahead of his time! I am happy to hear from one of his satisfied “customers”.
Jeff Burden says
Hello George, as you can see you and I have something common lol I hope you will contact me back by email …. jeffburden@msn.com
Thanks in advance.
Jeff Burden
George Burden says
Thanks for the links Patricia. I am glad you found my article useful. I am curious and open minded about alternative medical treatments but one does like to see some objective findings.
Patricia Lavelle says
George ‘ i believe this is your link to most information on CAM trials ‘ recorded, from around the world… !
http://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?q=Journal+of+Complementary+Therapies+in+Clinical+Practice+reflexology&btnG=&hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&as_ylo=2013&as_vis=1
The journalist from Scotland, UK who reported on the COPD was Tim Bugler ‘ i have a copy of newspaper article ‘ but can’t find a web link !
David Ponsonby says
Certainly, not going after reflex points from what we’ve heard.
Probably manipulating the bones…which had a long history and was still strong in the UK up until the First World War, consistent with Locke. The popular name was “Bonesetting”.
Two versions of this re-emerged under new names in the United States in the last part of the 19th century i.e. Chiropractic and Osteopathy.
However, he does seem to deserve credit for his use of foot cookies (orthoses) to maintain the re-adjusted foot architecture. The focus on the cuboid has also been maintained in such world famous insoles as those by Birkenstock.
Currently, opinion covers both ends of the spectrum on the cuboid. The traditional view, presumably of Locke as represented in Birkies i.e. that the cuboid needs to be elevated. Whereas some modern exponents of similar, rapid techniques, like Dr Charrette of Foot Levelers, seek to reduce the cuboid.
Rua Grinbergs says
I strongly question the above article’s claim that relates Reflexology to Dr. Mahlon Locke’s treatment methods. Although Dr. Locke’s techniques do not seem to have been recorded and are not clear to most, there is enough written that describes many testimonials and how he treated those who sought relief from him. His twisting and manipulation of feet does not fit the classic healing method of Foot Reflexology at all.
John A Ellis says
My father took all the seats out his car except the drivers to make room for a single bed for his brother, Scott, a severe arthritic I’d never seen walk. He drove him to Dr Locke in Canada where he was put in the circle of people while the Dr worked on his feet and then according to my father physically forced his hip to move [painfully]. I don’t remember the details though I know he exercised at home and returned later so Dr Locke could free the other hip manipulate his feet and this time he walked with canes for a time. Eventually he taught manual training at Harwich High.
George Burden says
I was wondering if there any controlled clinical trials in which Foot Reflexology has been shown to be statistically significantly better than placebo treatment?
Patricia Lavelle says
Dr Locke ‘was working with the nerve ‘ 7,000 in the feet ‘ hence the start (founder) of what we call ‘classical reflexology’ today ‘ he doesn’t fit todays reflexology as he’s not here to have developed his techniques further … everything has a beginning 😉
Patricia says
How do you know?
Patricia Lavelle says
Hi George reflexology, is a feeling ‘ placebo, is a thought .. although we all have a body ‘ the experiences and feelings our bodies have are different ‘ clinical trails have been carried out on the heart, in Scotland
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9398070/Reflexology-improves-heart-efficiency-claim-researchers.htmlhttp://www.dcscience.net/?p=4049
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16648092
hope the links help
George Burden says
Thanks Patricia for your comments and for sharing the link on the use of reflexology in the treatment of COPD. The link only contained a summary of the findings but it would be interesting to see the data generated in the study. I would presume they would use spirometry/pulmonary function testing before and after treatment to assess the results. Perhaps correct stimulation of the foot results in some natural autonomic nervous system activation or inhibition that could affect the smooth muscle and mucus production in the lung.
Patricia Lavelle says
.. i’ll find further information for you on the COPD.
There has also been recent research with the lymphatic system ‘ lymphodema’ with a method of recording the reduction of fluid in the arms ‘ i recently attended a workshop on the subject. http://www.reflexologylymphdrainage.co.uk/research.html
It’s very difficult with regards to a scientific proof of reflexology works as it really is a faith in yourself to heal
My mother recently had a heart attack and while in A&E i carried out some reflexology on her heart reflex, on her feet – she was attached to a machine at the time for the benefit of her heart rate ‘ the machine registered a reduction while i was working on her heart reflex – and went back up when i stopped (not recorded) !
There is a hospital in Manchester, England with a college attached called Christies with a trial on MS ..http://christie.openrepository.com/christie/handle/10541/54053
carried out by Dr Peter Mackereth
http://www.christie.nhs.uk/about-the-christie/whos-who/our-senior-nurses/dr-peter-mackereth.aspx‘
reflexology, in lots of ways is made for MS. Christies, provides CPD courses for all types of research and education for cancer care.
I will research as many links ‘ because there are also as many types of reflexology, with or without research and books. RLD (reflexology lymphatic reduction) Chi reflexology, Universal reflexology, Classic reflexology… plus a few more
There are also many individual beliefs attached to mind, body and spirit ‘ with reflexology.
George, thank you for taking the time to reply ‘ i will find more links and enough trial information for you to have a read through for the COPD.
My work, for the past 3 years, has attracted patients with gout and arthritis to my foot studio of which i have been treating (in a way, very similar to Dr Locke) with great results ‘ but i only came across your information this week… ‘ ie i didn’t know Dr Locke was part of the history of reflexology until this week.. !
I’m delighted to have found your article ‘ it has confirmed a lot to me, and given me confirmation it’s ok to be different in a line of work that works, with individual, different results…
Thank you