What is Applied Kinesiology?

Applied Kinesiology (AK) is a system that evaluates structural, chemical and mental aspects of health using manual muscle testing combined with other standard methods of diagnosis. AK, a non-invasive system of evaluating body function that is unique in the healing arts, has become a dynamic movement in health care in its relatively short existence.

The combined terms “applied” and “kinesiology” describe the basis of this system, which is the use of manual muscle testing to evaluate body function through the dynamics of the musculoskeletal system.

Treatments may involve specific joint manipulation or mobilization, various myofascial therapies, cranial techniques, meridian and acupuncture skills, clinical nutrition, dietary management, counselling skills, evaluating environmental irritants and various reflex procedures.

What does the triangular emblem mean? The Applied Kinesiology emblem shown above is called the "Triangle of Health", meaning that this model can be used to help understand both how we get sick and get well, plus the various health disciplines envolved.  First of all the triangle is equilateral, meaning all areas are essentially equally important.   "Structure" is at the bottom.  Everything has a place and if it's not in its place it will not work as it should.  Chiropractic is generally thought of as working on the structure of the body, but also included from the medical side would be an orthopedic surgeon.  Up one side is the "Bio-Chemical" aspect of how the body works.  This includes nutrition, toxins, hormones - the chemistry of the body. Treating this side of the triangle would therefore include proper diet, supplements, detoxification, etc.  Traditional medicine works primarily from this perspective in that medicine in the form of drugs is the primary tool.  Up the third side is "Mental" or the emotional aspect.  We utilize or have access to unique tools to help "unhook" the negative effect that some emotions have upon general body function.  Of course a psychologist or other counselor also works from the mental side.

Helping or hurting one side of the triangle will have an affect upon the other two areas.  This is why at one time or another one particular approach is deemed the "answer" because treatment coming from that perspective was the apparent answer to the whole body getting well.   Let's say a person had a lower back pain that would not go away until that person had intense counseling and suddenly the back pain was gone.  The next person with exactly the same lower back pain went to counseling with not effect.  This person responded when they began to take a certain drug or maybe not a drug but rather a specific herb or a specific vitamin.  The magic answer for this person was from the bio-chemical side.  Then a third person with exactly the same lower back pain tried both of these approaches with no results whatsoever.  This person went to the chiropractor or maybe they went to a good surgeon and discovered that the only thing that worked for them was from the structural side of the triangle.   Then... a fourth person has exactly the same lower back pain and none of the above is helpful ... until they found out that a combination of all the above was the key to their successful elimination of the lower back pain.    See how this all fits together?

Applied Kinesiology uses muscle testing to evaluate all three of these areas.  Nerves control the muscles therefore the muscle system can give us feedback as to how the nervous system is working.  Similar to a polygraph machine except we are using the muscles.  Your nerves control and monitor your structure, emotions and body chemistry. Muscles are controlled by the nerves and therefore a skilled doctore can evaluate all three areas through muscle response. 

Look at the triangle and you will see some little circles labled  N (nerve)  NL (neurolymphatic)  NV (neurovascular)  AMC (accupuncture meridian circuit) and  CSF (cerebrospinal fluid).  These are called the 5 Factors of the Intervertebral Foramina.  That is where your spinal cord exits your spine you may belief it only the nerve that comes out but in fact there are 5 different things that exit with each nerve.  Muscle testing can evaluate each of the factors.  By evaluation of the 5 Factors of the IVF (intervertebral foramina) we can help you understand what is wrong and what to do to make the proper correction.  This gives your body the best opportunity to heal itself.