What is Applied Kinesiology?

You might be wondering - what is Applied Kinesiology? Maybe you stumbled on to this blog, or maybe you're interested in the topic and want to learn more. But whether you are a newbie or an expert, the basics never hurt. I'm glad that you want to learn. For now, let's boil it down.

Applied Kinesiology (AK) can be defined as the clinical application of the study of movement and function. It is a method used to diagnose illness or imbalance in the body by testing muscles for strength and weakness. With AK, muscles are tested as primary feedback mechanisms to examine how a person's body is functioning. AK may even indicate certain irregularities with a specific internal organ.

Practitioners of AK believe that any problem or imbalance with an organ is accompanied by weakness in a corresponding muscle. For example, a weak leg muscle may be caused by a lung problem. Nutrition has a lot to do with it. Certain foods or nutritional items, when chewed, stimulate the nerves in the mouth and may have an instantaneous effect on the corresponding muscle’s function. For instance, if the muscle clinically associated with the liver is weak and vitamin A is indicated for liver support, chewing vitamin A or a carrot may cause instant and drastic improvement of the muscle’s function. On the other hand, if a toxic chemical is causing a problem in the liver, a muscle associated with the liver will test poorly immediately after the substance is chewed or inhaled, as stated in an article written by Anthony L. Rosner and Scott C. Cuthbert.

Applied kinesiologists are often chiropractors, but they may also be naturopaths, doctors, nurses, or other health care workers. Kinesiologists observe patients’ posture, muscle strength and range of motion along with more traditional forms of diagnosis like medical history, a physical examination and/or laboratory tests.

During a typical treatment, the practitioner may press on key “trigger points” on a patient's body to find out if they cause a muscle weakness. Common trigger points include behind the neck and on the wrist. The patient may be asked to hold a body part in a certain position while the practitioner applies physical force or pressure in an attempt to push the patient out of that position. Such will prove muscle strength or weakness and aid the kinesiologists’ diagnosis of internal problems or illnesses as well as appropriate treatment.

In order to restore the muscle strength, practitioners may apply manual stimulation and relaxation techniques to key muscles. Other forms of treatment may also include a chiropractic adjustment, diet changes and reflex procedures.

AK was originated by George J. Goodheart, D.C. in 1964 and in 1976, the International College of Applied Kinesiology was founded to promote the research and education. The American Medical Association has accepted that AK is a reliable tool and advocates its use for the evaluation of disability impairments.

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