Dr. Waugh uses Applied Kinesiology as one of her chiropractic techniques. Kinesiology refers to the study of movement. It is a multifaceted field of study in which movement or physical activity is the focus. Applied Kinesiology is best described as using muscle testing as a diagnostic tool to augment the examination skills that a health care professional has learned. These findings then allow an integrated approach of different therapies that are appropriate for the patient.
Applied Kinesiology (AK) was founded in 1964 by the American chiropractor George Goodheart who practiced in Detroit, Michigan. AK is now used by chiropractors, osteopaths, medical doctors, dentists and others with a license to diagnose. Dr. Goodheart found that evaluation of normal and abnormal body function could be accomplished by using muscle tests. Since the original discovery, the principle has broadened to include evaluation of the nervous, vascular, and lymphatic systems, nutrition, acupuncture, and cerebrospinal fluid function.
In general, the applied kinesiologist finds a muscle that tests weak and then attempts to determine why that muscle is not functioning properly. The practitioner will then evaluate and apply the therapy that will best eliminate the muscle weakness and help the patient.
These therapies can include the chiropractic adjustment, nutrition, cranial adjusting techniques, and manipulating reflex points on the body related to the weak muscle to strengthen it. And in some cases testing for environmental or food sensitivities by using a previously strong muscle to find what weakens it.
AK uses the triad of health – chemical, mental and structural factors to attain the proper balance of the major health categories.
A pilot study was done to determine whether subjective muscle testing employed by AK practitioners could determine those individuals with specific hyperallergenic responses. Seventeen subjects were found positive on AK muscle screening procedures indicating food hypersensitivity (allergy) reactions. Blood tests were performed for hypersensitivity reactions. The blood tests confirmed 19 of the 21 food allergies (90.5%) suspected based on the AK muscle testing procedures.
A French study was performed which measured the electrical activity in muscles. It established that there was a significant difference in electrical activity in the muscle, which corresponded with the difference perceived of “strong” versus “weak” muscle testing outcomes by AK practitioners. It further established that these outcomes were not attributable to increased or decreased testing force from the doctor during the tests.
In other words, muscles that are weak have different electrical activity than muscles that are strong. And, this had nothing to do with how much pressure the muscle tester used to test the muscles.
Furthermore, muscles that are weak do not “lock” on testing. They give and continue to give with increased pressure. So, a strong muscle is one that “locks” and a weak muscle is one that does not “lock” or gives way. These weak muscles can then be made to “lock” with the proper therapy. This allows your body to function better and to get rid of pain as the muscle is now strong or “turned on” as it should be.
“Kinesiology” comes from the Greek word “kinesis” meaning motion, and “ology,” meaning the study of a science or branch of learning. Kinesiology then means the study of the principles of mechanics in anatomy in relation to human movement. The term “applied” means put to practical use.
Dr. George Goodheart, the founder of Applied Kinesiology (AK) wrote:
“Applied Kinesiology had a simple beginning in 1964, based on the concept that muscle weakness is involved in most muscle spasms and, indeed, is primary.
Applied Kinesiology is based on the fact that body language never lies. The opportunity of understanding body language is enhanced by the ability to use muscles as indicators for body language.
Once muscle weakness has been ascertained, a variety of therapeutic options is available… The opportunity to use the body as an instrument of laboratory analysis is unparalleled in modern therapeutics because the response of the body is unerring; if one approaches the problem correctly, making the proper and adequate diagnosis and treatment, the response is adequate and satisfactory both to the doctor and the patient.
The name of the game is to get people better. The body heals itself in a sure, sensible, practical, reasonable and observable manner. ‘The Healer Within’ can be approached from without. Man possesses a potential for recovery through the innate intelligence …of the human structure. This recovery potential with which he is endowed merely waits for the hand and heart and the mind of a trained individual to bring it into manifestation, allowing health to come forth; this is man’s natural heritage.“
So, Applied Kinesiology deals largely with functional health disturbances, as opposed to pathology (tissue breakdown). Although a chronic functional disturbance may ultimately lead to pathology there is a major difference in the diagnosis of the two.
We are concerned with and handle functional disturbances in the body. For example, not being able to bend over due to back pain, or not being able to turn your neck, or constant sore throats.
There is a muscle-organ correlation in this technique. For example, one muscle – the deltoids (on top of the shoulder) relate to the lungs. If the deltoid is weak, the lungs are not functioning well or congested. Rubbing the reflex point for the deltoid muscle will help the lungs to start working better. These are related on an energy basis via the acupuncture pathways.
If the deltoid is weak, the nutrition for it is vitamin C, which also helps the lungs. So, for each muscle, there is an organ related to it and a nutritional component as well. To fix the weak muscle and thereby help the organ function better, the reflex point or “switch” for that muscle is rubbed in a circular motion and this strengthens the muscle and it works better. The nutritional recommendation can also be taken and support the muscle and the organ too.
AK is a fantastic technique to get your body functioning better, and therefore, feeling better and getting healthier!
Quote reprinted from “Applied Kinesiology Volume 1” by David S Walther.
