Applied Kinesiology is an alternative medicine, which believes that the strength of the muscle tested determines the health of the organ or area of the body being tested. Applied Kinesiology uses the triad of health model to explain health problems. The triad of health is represented by an equilateral triangle with structural, chemical and mental health as its sides. When one or more of these factors become unbalanced, a person experiences poor health. The origin of contemporary applied kinesiology is traced to 1964 when George G. Goodheart first observed that in the absence of congenital or pathological anomaly, postural distortion is often associated with Muscles. He observed that tender Nodules were frequently palpable within the origin or insertion of the tested muscle. Digital manipulation of these areas of apparent muscle dysfunction improved both postural balance and the outcome of manual muscle tests. Goodheart and others have since observed that many conservative treatment methods improve neuromuscular function. These treatment methods have become the fundamental applied kinesiology approach to therapy. Included in applied Kinesiology approach, are specific joint manipulation or mobilization tecniques, various myofacial therapies, cranial techniques, meridian therapy, clinical nutrition and dietary management, and various reflex procedures. With experiments going on, there has been continued amplification and modification of the treatment procedures. Many new methods have been developed within the discipline itself. According to the International College of Applied Kinesiology, the therapy "is based on Chiropractic principles. However, Goodheart and his followers unite Chiropractic with traditional Chinese Medicine. They accepted the notion of ‘chi’ and the meridians of Acupuncture. They believed that Muscles reflect the flow of chi and that by measuring muscle resistance, one can determine the health of bodily organs and nutritional deficiencies.

Applied kinesiology uses muscle testing to identify nutritional deficiencies and health problems. This technique is based on the belief that weakness in certain Muscles relates to specific disease states or imbalances in the body. Kinesiologists may use applied kinesiology to diagnose organ dysfunction or energy blockage. Applied kinesiology is also sometimes used to treat allergies, including food and drug allergies.

One type of applied kinesiology called edukinesthesia is claimed to be able to detect the cause of learning difficulties and poor concentration. It is based on the philosophies of other holistic therapies like Osteopathy and Chiropractice. Each movement has an active muscle that is "on" and an opposing muscle that turns "off". Muscular imbalances are corrected using manual pressure on the muscle as well as other techniques.

It is also used as an indicator of organ dysfunction. Finding a "weak" muscle supposedly enables the practitioner to pinpoint illness in the corresponding internal organs in the body. For example, a weak muscle in the Chest might indicate a Liver problem, and a weak muscle near the groin might indicate adrenal insufficiency. Another example is the Deltoid Muscle, which is believed to be related to the Lungs. Hence a muscle test on the Deltoid Muscle is an indicator of the health of the Lungs. If the muscle were weak due to a chronic infection, the applied Kinesiologist would use techniques to stimulate Blood and nerve function, Lymphatic drainage, and Acupuncture energy. When the illness is resolved, the Deltoid Muscle would have improved function.

Method of Application

The client history is recorded and the practitioner does a physical assessment, noting imbalances in posture and gait. Muscle testing is then done to access the strength of the muscle. The results of the testing may indicate the need for physical manipulation or stimulation of Acupuncture points. By using muscle testing as an indicator tool, the Kinesiologist reveals imbalances in the

body's structural, chemical or emotional factors, and identifies how well a person's body is functioning. The examiner may test for environmental or food sensitivities by determining what weakened a previously strong muscle. This therapy also allows the body to specify its preferences for treatment, and to prioritize certain issues or problems. In general, the doctor finds a muscle that tests weak and attempts to determine what is causing the muscle to function ineffectively. The practitioner then evaluates and applies the therapy to help the patient.

Applied kinesiology is generally believed to be safe in most patients. However, this technique should not be used alone as a diagnostic or therapeutic approach, and it should not delay the time it takes to speak with a qualified health care provider about a potentially life-threatening condition. There may be risks involved in relying solely on applied kinesiology for the treatment of learning disabilities in children, diabetes, food allergies or cancer. Applied kinesiology has been suggested for many conditions. But high-quality research is limited, and applied kinesiology has not been shown to be 100% effective for the diagnosis or treatment of any disease. Applied Kinesiology is also used to identify the vitamins and supplements needed to resolve a health condition. For example, if the Deltoid Muscle is weak due to a chronic lung infection, the applied Kinesiologist will test several herbs and vitamins by placing them, one at a time, on the Tongue and retesting the Deltoid Muscle. The supplement that improves the Deltoid Muscle function the greatest is the chosen supplement. Another application of Applied Kinesiology is to detect food Allergy and sensitivities. Foods that cause allergic reactions are believed to cause reversible muscle weakness. Applied Kinesiology practitioners have clients place samples of foods into the Mouth one at a time while muscle tests are performed.