Applied Kinesiology
Muscle Testing and Alternative Medicine

Applied kinesiology (AK) is a form of alternative medicine that uses muscle testing and more conventional methods to diagnose problems with the body and prescribe treatment.

These holistic practitioners use what they call the triad of health, mental, chemical and structural factors, to help restore health to the body. They believe that this basic triad of health covers all the areas of possible dysfunction in the body.

AK was invented by a chiropractor named George J. Goodheart in 1964. That's when Dr. Goodheart made his first correlation between weak muscles and using chiropractic principles to strengthen them.

After his initial discovery, he tried other methods to strengthen muscles including principles borrowed from conventional medicine, osteopathy, acupuncture, dentistry, nutrition, biochemistry, among others. He believed all of these methods should be used simultaneously to diagnose and treat patients.

applied kinesiology AK spread among chiropractors and soon was being taught to other health care professionals as well.

According to the principles of AK, every organ dysfunction has a corresponding muscle weakness. Muscle testing is done to find these dysfunctions. The practitioner applies force to a target muscle group and has the patient resist against it to evaluate the muscle group's strength.

This method is also used in nutrient testing to determine the patients sensitivity to various chemicals. Besides these unique forms of diagnosis, practitioners will also do standard examination procedures like take blood pressure, test balance and knee reflexes.

The practitioner then uses joint manipulation, myofascial therapy, cranial techniques, meridian therapies, nutrition counseling, evaluation of environmental irritants and reflex procedures.

AK can be used to treat a variety of issues, including:

carpal tunnel syndrome
asthma
tendinitis
Bell's palsy
allergies
fibromyalgia
joint instability
plantar fasciitis
sciatica
shin splints
headaches
TMJ

Before your session your holistic practitioner will talk to you about the reasons you've come for the treatment and your treatment goals. Your practitioner will also take your medical history.

Sessions usually last an hour. Depending on your problem, you'll need from 3 to 5 sessions. You might need more if your ailment is particularly difficult to treat.