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WHAT IS APPLIED KENESILOGY?  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.

Therapies utilized can include specific joint manipulation or mobilization, various myofascial therapies, cranial techniques, meridian therapy, clinical nutrition, dietary management and various reflex procedures.

In some cases, the examiner may test for environmental or food sensitivities by using a previously strong muscle to find what weakens it.

Applied kinesiology uses the - triad of health - chemical, mental and structural factors - to describe the proper balance of the major health categories.

The triad is represented by an equilateral triangle with structural health as its base, and the upright sides representing chemical and mental health. When a person experiences poor health, it is due to an imbalance in one or more of these three factors.

The triad of health is interactive and all sides must be evaluated for the underlying cause of a problem. A health problem on one side of the triad can affect the other sides. For example, a chemical imbalance may cause mental symptoms. Applied kinesiology enables the practitioner to evaluate the triad's balance and direct therapy toward the imbalanced side or sides.
 

A LITTLE HISTORY BEHIND THE TERM... In 1964, Dr. Goodheart made an observation that a weak muscle could be treated and the strength immediately improved. From this simple observation, began a life long search for other treatment methods that could improve muscle strength. Along the way, he discovered factors that could negatively effect the strength and functioning of muscles. In the beginning, he named this area of investigation and discovery applied kinesiology. He chose to use the term kinesiology, as this implies the study of motion, movement and muscle function. He added the term applied because what he was doing was not the discipline of standard kinesiology.

What is kinesiology? Kinesiology refers to the study of movement. In American higher education, the term is used to describe a multifaceted field of study in which movement or physical activity is the intellectual focus. Physical activity includes exercise for improvement of health and physical fitness, activities of daily living, work, sport, dance, and play. Kinesiology is a common name for college and university academic departments that include many specialized areas of study in which the causes and consequences of physical activity are examined from different perspectives. These include exercise and sport biomechanics, history, philosophy, physiology, biochemistry and molecular/cellular physiology, psychology, and sociology; motor behavior; measurement; physical fitness; and sports medicine. Many colleges and universities around the world have schools of kinesiology. These institutions are 4 - 7 year courses leading to BS, MA and Ph.D. degrees. A kinesiologist is a person who has completed one of these programs graduating with one of these degrees.

Applied kinesiology is best described as a tool 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 differing therapies that are appropriate for the patient.

In the late 1960's,an original student of Dr. Goodheart, felt that the procedures in applied kinesiology could be simplified for use by the general public. The material was simplified using the most basic material in applied kinesiology and was taught to anyone who was interested. The title of the book was Touch for Health. Basically, Touch For Health procedures are reflex stimulation methods based on the very early work, 1964 - 1971, of Dr. Goodheart. Originally, the people taught named their work Touch for Health. However, confusion started in the late 80's when they changed and stared to call themselves kinesiologists.

Other confusion has come from work that others have done with muscle testing. When someone takes a part of applied kinesiology and develops specialized usages of muscle testing, they have labeled their technique using the name kinesiology as part of their title. So we have over 80 different forms of therapy now using the term kinesiology. These range from Behavioral kinesiology and dental kinesiology which were developed by and for psychologists and dentists to odd ball forms like astrological kinesiology. Unfortunately, applied kinesiology and Dr. Goodheart get credited and associated with all of these variant forms.
 

HOW DOES IT RELATE TO SPORTS?  Doctors using applied kinesiology have a distinct advantage over other practitioners as they have specific diagnostic tools to determine the best therapy for the injured athlete.

These tools range from specific muscle treatments designed to normalize muscle activity to treatments designed to aid other damaged tissues like skin, ligaments, tendons and joints.

Healing of strain-sprain type injuries goes through three distinct processes. Each requires special tools to maximize the return to normal functioning.

The first is termed the reaction phase and usually lasts up to 7 days. This is where there is the most pain and swelling. Treatment must reduce the swelling and pain and prevent further damage while the body begins to clean up and remove damaged tissue. Important issues here are diet, activation of lymphatic drainage and control of inflammatory processes.

The second stage is called the regeneration phase and can start as early as two days after the injury and take up to 8 plus weeks. In this stage, the body rebuilds the damaged tissues. This is done through creation of a matrix of collagen. During this stage, treatment is aimed at making strong bonds and increasing normal actions in the joints. Special procedures can be used here to speed the rebuilding, start to reestablish lost strength and increase the range of motion and control of muscle function.

The final stage of healing is the remodeling phase. During this phase, muscles must fully regain their lost strength. Other important aspects are the coordination of muscular actions as well as reestablishing a full range of motion. Depending on the severity of injury, this phase starts as early as the 14th day and can take over a year. During this phase, therapies are used that are aimed at normalizing proprioception imbalances in the muscles and joint structures. A special use of muscle testing, used at this time, is to determine exactly how much you should exercise a muscle so that you are reinjuring yourself.

One of the great advantages in using applied kinesiology is the ability to affect performance. Examples of this range from increasing the breathing capacity in endurance athletes, to increasing the accuracy of those sports requiring eye-hand or eye-foot coordination.

George Goodheart, founder of applied kinesiology, was the first chiropractor named to the United States Olympic Medical Team in 1980. Since then, many other doctors in countries around the world have helped athletes in the Olympics. Doctors using applied kinesiology have been and continue to be important assets to professional baseball, basketball, football, hockey and soccer teams.

Through the skills learned in courses on applied kinesiology, these doctors are able to tailor a treatment program to speed recovery and maximize performance.
 

What is an AK examination?  Applied kinesiology interactive assessment procedures represent a form of functional bio-mechanical and functional neurologic evaluations. The term “functional biomechanics” refers to the clinical assessment of posture, organized motion such as in gait, and ranges of motion. Muscle testing readily enters into the assessment of postural distortion, gait impairment and altered range of motion. During a functional neurologic evaluation, muscle tests are used to monitor the physiologic response to a physical, chemical or mental stimulus. The observed response is correlated with clinical history and physical exam findings and, as indicated, with laboratory tests and any other appropriate standard diagnostic methods. Applied kinesiology procedures are not intended to be used as a single method of diagnosis. An Applied kinesiology examination is meant enhance standard diagnosis, not to replace it.