Applied kinesiology

Applied Kinesiology (AK) is a practice that uses muscle testing as a primary feedback mechanism to examine how a person's body is functioning. It was developed by chiropractor George J. Goodheart in the 1960s.

History

George J. Goodheart, a chiropractor, first observed that postural distortion (e.g., shoulder tilt, hip rotation, etc.) is usually associated with muscles that test weak. He found that by applying the right kind of pressure or stimulation, he could strengthen weak muscles and thereby improve posture and gait. This was the beginning of Applied Kinesiology.

Methodology

Applied Kinesiology is based on the idea that the body is a self-maintaining, self-correcting mechanism. It uses muscle testing to assess the nervous system's ability to adapt to changes and to find imbalances in the body's structural, chemical, and mental aspects.

The practitioner applies a force to a muscle and the patient is asked to resist that force. The response is used to aid in diagnosis. Muscle testing is combined with other standard methods of diagnosis such as clinical history, physical examination findings, laboratory tests, and instrumentation to evaluate the functional health of the patient.

Criticism and Controversy

Applied Kinesiology has been criticized for lack of evidence-based scientific research supporting its efficacy and reliability. Critics argue that the muscle testing technique can be subjective and depends heavily on the skill and judgement of the practitioner.

See Also

• Chiropractic
• Muscle Testing
• George J. Goodheart