Applied Kinesiology

APPLIED KINESIOLOGY  

Applied kinesiology involves the art and science of muscle testing. The word kinesiology comes from the words “kinesis” meaning movement and from “logos” meaning to study. It literally means the study of movement.   

 In Applied Kinesiology, we look at every person from a ‘triad of health’ perspective. This is the three-sided nature of every human being that makes up a healing art’s triangle of ‘structure, chemical, and mental’. Being a chiropractor, as well as an Applied Kinesiologist, we approach health and healing through more of a holistic approach, attempting to work with all three sides of the triangle in order to help the patient achieve optimum health.   

 In the 1960s Dr. George Goodheart found that he could evaluate body function by the use of muscle tests. The principles of muscle testing can be used to evaluate virtually any organ or system in the body. It can be used to find nutritional needs and food sensitivities. People evaluated with this method are often amazed that something so simple can work so well.   

 During the examination some muscles will test “strong” and others will test “weak”. The chiropractor skilled in applied kinesiology may realize that the “weakness” found in the muscle test may not only indicate poor muscle function, but possibly a connection with organ function, nutritional issues, issues with the acupuncture meridian, lymphatic drainage issues or vascular issues.   

 The kinesiologist understands that certain patterns of muscle weakness give clues to the body’s function. Each muscle, for example, can be tested to give an indication of how a specific organ is functioning. A television set and a lamp plugged into the same ci rcuit can both malfunction together. If the television has a short in it, it can overload the circuit breaker, denying power to the lamp, causing it to go out. Think of the television as being analogous to the organ. The circuit breaker is analogous to the nervous system (spinal nerve and spinal cord). The lamp is analogous to the muscle. A skilled applied kinesiologist can use muscle testing and relationships like those between muscles and organs to aid in diagnosis and treatment.   

 Muscle imbalance causes structural strain. It can result in muscle spasm, joint pain, poor sports performance, a tendency for injury, or even systemic health problems. Structural stress can affect the nervous system, affecting every organ and system in the body.   

 Muscles not only move bones, they hold the skeletal system in place. There is a dynamic tension in the musculoskeletal system. The muscles act like wires holding the bones in place. Skeletal balance is maintained by opposing muscles. If a muscle is weaker than the one opposing it, the opposing muscle becomes tight, and the skeletal structures will be out of balance.   

 A weak muscle can cause pain and spasm in the opposing muscle. Ironically, many therapeutic efforts are directed toward spastic muscles, which often are not the cause of the problem. For example, weak abdominal muscles will cause the pelvic to tilt and the low back muscles (which oppose them) to go into spasm. Until the weakness in the abdominal muscles is corrected, efforts to reduce the spasm in the low back will not be very effective.

 The doctor trained in applied kinesiology corrects muscle weakness and muscle imbalance by working with the nervous system, the lymphatic system, acupunture meridians and nutrition. This is a holistic approach designed to get to the cause of health problems.   

 Let’s Review… 

 Applied Kinesiology IS:                 

·         A diagnostic tool using muscle testing as a functional neurological evaluation to augment the more traditional examination procedures.    

·         A diagnostic tool that uses the neuromuscular system and other measurable parameters to aid in evaluating what is wrong and what to do for a patient.     

·         An applied kinesiology examination requires knowledge of functional neurology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and biochemistry and is combined with standard physical examination procedures, laboratory findings, and history taking. X-rays will be ordered on an as needed basis.   

·         A wonderful technique that gives us the ability to analyze in depth structural and chemical imbalances, which are the base of most patient’s problems.    

·         Is based on chiropractic principles and requires manipulation of the spine, extremities and cranial bones as the structural basis of its procedures.   

Applied Kinesiology IS NOT:       

·         A simple yes/no or pendulum type of testing system.     

·         Testing using mental telepathy.      

·         A simplistic, cookie cutter approach to treatment.    

·         Touch for health or any other forms of evaluation using muscle testing as a simple yes/no answer system.