Logan Steele
Muscle testing, also known as applied kinesiology (AK) or manual muscle testing (MMT), is an alternative medicine practice that claims to diagnose structural, muscular, chemical, and mental ailments. 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, meaning that any internal issues would be accompanied by related muscle weakness. AK was developed in 1964 by chiropractor George Goodheart, who discovered that each muscle group in the body is related to a specific organ system. This led him to explore the link between muscle function and health and well-being, and he found that muscle weakness or strength could indicate specific imbalances in the body.
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What You'll Learn
Manual muscle testing (MMT)
MMT can be used to identify underlying nutritional deficiencies and can help make chiropractic adjustments more effective. It can also be used to assess gait, range of motion, and posture. The basic posture for MMT involves the patient lying on a table with their arm in the air. The practitioner then exerts gentle pressure on specific muscles, one at a time, and the patient is asked to hold or resist pressure in a specific direction. Muscles that "lock" against pressure are considered "strong," while those that ""unlock" or have difficulty resisting are considered "weak."
The most commonly accepted method of evaluating muscle strength is the Oxford Scale, which involves testing key muscles from the upper and lower extremities against the examiner's resistance and grading the patient's strength on a scale from 0 to 5. Commonly tested muscles include the shoulder abductors, elbow flexors, wrist extensors, and finger flexors. MMT can also be used to semiquantitatively measure distal strength with a handgrip ergometer or an inflated BP cuff squeezed by the patient. This can provide a better understanding of the relationship between strength and disability.
While MMT has shown promise in diagnosing musculoskeletal disorders, the medical community has largely rejected it as a diagnostic tool for other systems of the body. Some studies have found that MMT may not be sufficiently sensitive to measure strength in the normal range, and it should not be used as a standalone assessment tool. However, MMT can provide valuable insights into stubborn conditions when other methods have failed.
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Sacroiliac dysfunction
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD) is a condition that results from a misalignment or abnormal movement of the ilium and sacrum bones, causing pain in or around the joint. The sacroiliac joint is deemed the potential source of low back or gluteal region pain in 10% to 27% of affected individuals. The gold standard diagnostic test for SIJD is joint blockade through fluoroscopy-guided intra-articular anesthetic injection. However, this is an invasive procedure involving exposure to radiation, and its performance is challenging.
An alternative diagnostic method is muscle testing, also known as applied kinesiology (AK) or manual muscle testing (MMT). It is an alternative medicine practice that claims to effectively diagnose structural, muscular, chemical, and mental ailments. 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.” AK applies this concept to the human body, meaning that any internal issues would be accompanied by related muscle weakness.
The AK muscle strength test has proven to be accurate in diagnosing SIJD, with accuracy similar to that of other known tests, such as the thigh thrust and sacral thrust tests, and superior to the compression and distraction tests. The low cost and strong clinical feasibility of the AK test are noteworthy, along with its greater discriminatory power regarding the screening of an existing dysfunction. The AK muscle strength test had 0.89 of sensitivity and 0.82 of specificity, with a positive predictive value of 0.80 and a negative predictive value of 0.82.
It is important to note that the medical community has mostly rejected the idea of AK as a diagnostic tool for conditions outside of musculoskeletal disorders. The science behind muscle testing has been widely disproven, and it should not be solely relied upon when making important healthcare decisions.
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Allergy testing
Muscle testing, also known as Applied Kinesiology (AK), is a diagnostic tool used to evaluate the body's reaction to various substances. It was introduced in the 1960s by Dr. George Goodheart, a chiropractor, to assess the functional health of the body, particularly the musculoskeletal system.
AK is a manual muscle testing diagnostic that involves applying light pressure to a muscle and assessing the resistance. The patient holds a vial containing the allergen in question, and the muscle strength in the opposite arm is measured. A decrease in strength in the tested arm indicates a positive test result.
Practitioners of AK claim that it can identify specific allergies and pathologic conditions in individual organ systems by reflecting these conditions in corresponding muscle groups, known as viscerosomatic relationships. They believe that the communication between the allergen and the organ system can be influenced by the presence of the allergen nearby.
However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of AK as a diagnostic tool for allergies is controversial. While some healthcare professionals use it as a legitimate tool, the medical community has mostly rejected the idea, and scientific studies have largely debunked the concept. A 2001 study using muscle tests as an allergy test for wasp venom found that it was no more helpful than random guessing.
Despite the controversy, some people continue to use AK for allergy testing, and it has been advocated for by the Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique (NAET). It is recommended to consult a healthcare professional before exploring AK or other alternative allergy testing methods to ensure accurate and safe results.
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Biofeedback
Muscle testing kinesiology is a form of biofeedback. It is a non-invasive technique used to assess the body's responses to various stimuli. It works by detecting subtle changes in muscle strength when exposed to different substances, thoughts, or touchpoints. The basic idea behind muscle testing kinesiology is that the body knows what it needs to heal, and this technique allows us to tap into that intelligence.
Muscle testing kinesiology is also known as applied kinesiology (AK) or manual muscle testing (MMT). It is considered an alternative medicine practice that aims to diagnose structural, muscular, chemical, and mental ailments. AK was founded by chiropractor Dr. George Goodheart in 1964. It is based on the concept that any internal issues will be accompanied by related muscle weakness. Thus, a muscle test can be performed to diagnose any underlying medical conditions. For example, in AK, a weak bicep may indicate an underlying problem with the spleen.
It is important to note that muscle testing is not a stand-alone diagnostic tool and should be combined with other forms of evaluation to be effective. When performed in isolation or by an unskilled practitioner, muscle testing is typically no better than a psychic reading. However, when performed correctly, it can be a powerful tool for assessing and addressing health challenges.
MMT, a form of biofeedback, involves a sensory component (input) and a motor component (output), along with other physiological variables such as olfactory, gustatory, and mechanoreceptor challenges. It provides real-time testing to monitor and evaluate the patient's nervous system response and changes through the dynamics of the musculoskeletal system. This process, along with a thorough patient history and other diagnostic tests, is necessary for understanding a person's health problems and determining the best course of treatment.
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Kinesiology-style muscle testing
The basic posture for AK involves the patient lying on a table with their arm in the air. The practitioner then applies gentle pressure to a specific muscle or group of muscles, with the patient resisting the force. Muscles that "lock" against pressure are considered "strong", while those that “unlock” or have trouble resisting are considered "weak". This weakness is caused by the Central Nervous System (CNS) answering the question "Is this food good for me?" with a simple "yes" or "no", "on" or "off". If the food is neither good nor bad for the patient, the muscle will not weaken.
AK can be used to diagnose a range of issues, from musculoskeletal structure to gut problems and food intolerances. It can also be used to assess gait, range of motion, and posture, as well as identify irritants such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, yeast, and heavy metals. In addition, AK can help determine nutritional deficiencies and uncover underlying structural imbalances or misalignments.
It is important to note that AK is not a standalone assessment tool and should be used in conjunction with other diagnostic data such as physical exams, health histories, lab testing, and X-rays. While it has been found to accurately predict low back pain, simple phobias, and food allergies, further studies are needed to validate its effectiveness in other areas.
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Frequently asked questions
Muscle testing kinesiology, also known as applied kinesiology (AK) or manual muscle testing (MMT), is an alternative medicine practice that claims to effectively diagnose structural, muscular, chemical, and mental ailments. It is based on the idea that the body's muscles are connected to specific organs and systems through the nervous system, creating a network of communication between muscles and internal functions.
During a muscle testing session, a practitioner will apply gentle pressure to a specific muscle, while the patient resists the force. If the muscle is weak or unresponsive, it may indicate an issue related to the corresponding organ or system. The practitioner then uses this information to develop a customised care plan to address the root cause of the problem.
Muscle testing kinesiology is a non-invasive way to quickly and accurately assess an individual's health needs. It can help identify structural imbalances or misalignments, uncover nutritional deficiencies, and determine triggers for health issues such as food sensitivities or allergies.
