Athena Vale
Muscle testing is a diagnostic tool that can help identify stressors and blockages in the body. It is a type of applied kinesiology, which is a field that gives us access to our bodies' innate wisdom. The technique involves applying pressure to a muscle and looking for a yes/no or stress response. It is a simple skill that anyone can learn and use for self-testing or with another person. This introduction will cover the basics of muscle testing, including the different types, the benefits, and how to get started with self-testing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle testing type | Whole body, two-handed, one-handed |
| Starting position | Feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, shoulders back, head tall |
| Preparation | Take three slow deep breaths, clear your mind, ground yourself |
| Questions | Obvious yes/no questions |
| Response | Body sways forward for yes, backward for no |
| Tester's role | Places hand on subject's shoulder, other hand on wrist, applies pressure to wrist |
| Self-testing | Ask your body to show you a yes, then a no |
| Accuracy | Higher when holding a physical item close while testing |
| Consistency | Repeat the test 2-3 times to ensure consistency |
| Purpose | To access the body's wisdom, gain "innerstanding", identify stressors and blockages |
| Use cases | Identify suitable foods/supplements, make decisions, set life goals, balance energy |
| Limitations | Not for fortune-telling, not always accurate |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle testing as a diagnostic tool
Muscle testing is a diagnostic tool that is often used in alternative medicine practices such as energy healing and Theta Healing. It is also known as applied kinesiology (AK) or manual muscle testing (MMT). The basic idea behind AK is similar to one of Sir Isaac Newton's Laws of Motion, which states, "for every action in nature, there is an equal and opposite reaction." This concept is applied to the human body, with the understanding that any internal issues are accompanied by related muscle weakness.
Practitioners of applied kinesiology use muscle testing to access a client's biofeedback system to help identify stressors and blockages in the body. The practitioner will ask the client to stick out their arm and resist their pressure. The client's arm will remain strong when they agree with a statement and will weaken when they disagree. Muscle testing is believed to be a bridge between the conscious and subconscious mind, helping practitioners find subconscious issues and blocks.
There are three primary ways to self-muscle test: whole-body, two-handed, and one-handed. The whole-body test involves standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, shoulders back, and head tall. Take three slow deep breaths, clear your mind, and ground yourself by feeling your feet planted on the ground. Ask yourself some obvious yes/no questions and observe your body's response. When it's a yes or positive response, your body sways forward slightly, and when it's a no or negative response, your body sways backward.
The two-handed test is more discrete and involves placing your thumbs to your index and ring fingers, respectively. Ask a question, then place the thumb and index finger of your writing hand into the loop created with the other hand and move your writing hand's fingers apart to see if the loop stays closed or opens easily.
While muscle testing is considered a reliable diagnostic tool by some, it is important to note that the science behind it has been widely disproven and is not considered a part of the science of kinesiology, which is the study of the movement of the human body.
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The basics of self-muscle testing
Muscle testing is a diagnostic tool that can help identify stressors and blockages in the body. It is often used in alternative medicine practices such as energy healing and Theta Healing. It is a way to access information from your body and can be used by anyone.
There are three primary ways to self-muscle test: whole-body testing, two-handed, and one-handed. To start, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, shoulders back, and head tall. Take three slow deep breaths, clear your mind, and ground yourself. You can then ask yourself some yes/no questions to see how your body responds. When it's a yes, your body sways forward, and when it's a no, your body sways backward.
The two-handed muscle test involves placing your thumb to your index finger on your dominant hand, which will be the hand you consciously control. With your other hand, place your thumb to your ring finger, which will be the hand you test your electrical response with. You can then ask a question and test by placing the fingers that made a circle into the loop of the other hand and moving them apart to see if the loop stays closed or opens easily.
The one-handed muscle test involves making an "O" shape with your finger and thumb. Put the index finger of your other hand through the "O" and ask a yes/no question. If your index finger breaks the circle, this indicates a "yes" response, and if the circle stays intact, it indicates a "no" response.
It is important to note that muscle testing has no scientific basis or proof of efficacy and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical or psychiatric evaluation.
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Muscle testing with a partner
Muscle testing is a simple tool that can be used to get clear yes-or-no answers to a stream of questions. It is also known as applied kinesiology (AK) or manual muscle testing (MMT).
The Arm Formula
Stand erect with one arm held out straight to the side, parallel to the floor. Your partner, facing you, places two fingers on your wrist of the outstretched arm, the other on your shoulder. Then, the tester gently applies pressure to the wrist. This is to set a baseline.
Testing for True/Beneficial and False/Non-Beneficial Responses
To test for what is normal/beneficial/true, say something that is normal/beneficial/true. For example, say your name. As you say it, resist while your partner pushes down on your forearm with 2-3 fingers.
To test for what is abnormal/harmful/false, say something that isn't true, like "My name is [not your real name]." Again, resist while your partner pushes down on your forearm with 2-3 fingers. This allows your partner to feel what false/harmful/non-beneficial feels like.
Now that you have a baseline, you can muscle test for whatever you like. A relatively strong response, meaning your forearm is hard to push down, indicates yes/true/beneficial. A relatively weak response, meaning your partner can easily push your arm down, means the opposite.
Other Variations
- Standing with the arm held straight down beside the body. The hand is positioned beside the hip with the palm facing outward (i.e., the wrist is against the hip). The tester puts 2 fingers on the inside of the person’s wrist (i.e., between the hip and the wrist). The test involves gently applying pressure to the wrist in an outward direction.
- Standing while holding onto something secure. Bend one leg at a 90-degree angle to the body. The tester puts 2 fingers on the ankle and gently presses downward.
- Lying face down. Bend one knee at a 90-degree angle. The tester places 2 fingers on the ankle and presses downward (in the direction of the feet).
- Lying face up. One arm is extended upward at a 90-degree angle to the body. The tester places 2 fingers on the wrist and presses downward (in the direction of the feet).
Tips for Increasing Accuracy
- Neutrality: If you have strong feelings about the subject being tested, it is unlikely that you will get accurate results. In this case, it is recommended to find a friend or professional proficient in muscle testing.
- Clear your mind: If the person being tested has a strong opinion, do not focus on the issue being asked about. Instead, repeat the word "blank" over and over again while the testing is done.
- Ask questions silently: The tester does not have to state the question aloud.
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Muscle testing for children and people with disabilities
Muscle testing is a diagnostic tool that can be used on anyone, including children and people with disabilities. It is often used in alternative medicine practices such as energy healing and Theta Healing. It is a type of applied kinesiology, which is the art of applying pressure to a muscle and looking for a yes/no or stress response. This is done to access the client's biofeedback system and help identify stressors and blockages in the body.
Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) is a tried-and-true method of measuring strength discrepancies in orthopedic and neurological cases in adults. While it can be used on children, isolating and grading muscle strength can be more difficult to standardize. The literature has not agreed on a minimum age for MMT to be used on children, but the advised range is between 5-10 years. The child should be able to understand and follow the MMT instructions. The levels of resistance applied must also match the child's size and weight. For example, functional tasks such as performing a sit-to-stand or squat-to-stand movement can indicate appropriate muscle strength and control of lower body muscles.
For children with disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, physical therapists will make clinical observations and use standardized tests, medical history, and visual inspection as part of the assessment process. Therapists at Gillette Rehabilitation also offer MMT for people with spina bifida.
There are three primary ways to self-muscle test: whole-body, two-handed, and one-handed. The two-handed test involves placing your thumb to your index finger on your writing hand (or dominant hand) and then placing your thumb to your ring finger on your other hand. This creates a loop with your thumbs and index fingers, and you can test the strength of your response by trying to pull your hands apart. This method can be used for children and people with disabilities as it does not require large movements or specific cognitive development.
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Muscle testing and Traditional Chinese Medicine
Muscle testing is a diagnostic tool that is often used in alternative medicine. It is a simple skill that anyone can learn for self-testing or to help others. It involves applying pressure to a muscle and looking for a yes/no or stress response. The body's electrical system and muscles are used to access information from the body.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient system of medicine that has changed little over the centuries. It is based on the concept of Qi, a vital force of life that surges through the body. Any imbalance in the Qi can cause disease and illness, which is often caused by an alteration in the yin and yang forces that make up the Qi. TCM treatment seeks to restore this balance through treatments specific to the individual.
TCM has become increasingly popular in the Western world, and it includes acupuncture, moxibustion, massage, and herbal remedies. Some of these herbal remedies have been found to be contaminated with toxic or otherwise harmful substances, and there are concerns about their potential toxicity. In the US, the FDA banned the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedra and plants containing ephedra group alkaloids due to complications, such as heart attack and stroke.
Muscle testing can be a useful tool for TCM practitioners to find subconscious issues and blocks. It can help to identify stressors and blockages in the body, and it can be used as a form of manual muscle testing to test for muscle strength and weakness, as well as imbalances around illness, diseases, belief issues, allergies, and various health decisions.
To learn muscle testing for use in TCM, one can start with the three primary ways of self-muscle testing: whole body, two-handed, and one-handed. The whole-body test involves standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, relaxing, and bending your knees slightly. Take three slow deep breaths, clear your mind, and ground yourself. Ask yes/no questions and observe your body's response. When it's a yes, your body sways forward; when it's a no, your body sways backward. The two-handed test involves placing your thumbs to your index and ring fingers respectively and then pushing the circles apart to see if the other hand's loop stays closed or opens easily.
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Frequently asked questions
Muscle testing is a diagnostic tool that is often used in alternative medicine. It is a way to access your body's innate wisdom and gain "innerstanding" to specifically target the right part of yourself for a healing benefit. It is often used to find answers to questions about what is best for your health and wellbeing.
Muscle testing involves applying pressure to a muscle and looking for a yes/no or stress response. When your body is in balance, your muscles feel strong. When there is fear, pain, resistance, poor mental health, self-doubt, or worry, your muscles feel weak. When you agree to something subconsciously, your muscle strength is higher than when you disagree.
Muscle testing can be done on yourself or with another person. There are three primary ways to self-muscle test: whole-body testing, one-handed testing, and two-handed testing. To learn, start with two-handed testing by placing your thumbs against your index and ring fingers and asking yes/no questions. Your body will sway forward for yes and backward for no.
