Dominic Stone
Muscle testing is a simple skill that can be used to access your body's innate wisdom. It is a form of applied kinesiology, which is the established method for reading the body's balance through the balance of its electrical system. The basic idea is to apply force to one part of the body and resist with another part. This can be done in many ways, such as using one or two hands or the whole body. The stimulus can be anything from a substance you hold close to you to an idea or emotion. The results indicate whether the stimulus is beneficial, neutral, or detrimental to your body. Self-muscle testing gives you flexibility as you don't need a partner, but it's important to be gentle and avoid using injured or stiff body parts.
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What You'll Learn
Choosing a muscle to test
Self-muscle testing is a simple skill that can be used to access your body's biofeedback system and help identify stressors and blockages. It involves applying pressure to a muscle and looking for a yes/no or stress response. The basic idea is that you will have a weak response to something that does not enhance or sustain your body's energy, and a strong response to something beneficial.
There are three primary ways to self-muscle test: whole-body, two-handed, and one-handed. The whole-body test, or sway test, is the simplest and involves standing with your feet more than shoulder-width apart, keeping your knees loose and slightly bent, and relaxing your shoulders. You then ask a yes or no question and see which way your body leans.
The two-handed test involves interlocking your fingers and pushing against them with your opposite hand. The one-handed test involves making an "'O' shape with your finger and thumb" and then trying to break the circle with the index finger of the other hand.
When choosing a muscle to test, you can select from a variety of options, including:
- Arms: This is a common method used by kinesiologists and involves applying pressure to the extended arm of the client to see if their muscles can resist.
- Fingers: You can make an "O" shape with your finger and thumb and then try to break the circle with the index finger of the other hand.
- Wrists: This test starts with the wrist in a neutral position and then rolls outwards for yes and inwards for no.
- Shoulders: Your shoulders will open and expand for yes and slump forward and close for no.
Remember, self-muscle testing is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. It is important to be gentle with yourself and not to use injured or stiff body parts for testing.
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Applying pressure to the muscle
Starting Position:
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, shoulders back, and head tall. Relax your body and take a few slow deep breaths to centre yourself.
One-Handed Test:
Extend one finger and use another finger from the same hand to apply pressure by pushing down on it. The idea is to either resist the pressure or gauge the degree of motion/flexibility in that finger. You can also try this with other muscle groups, such as the wrist extensors or elbow flexors.
Two-Handed Test:
Hold an item or substance close to you, or think of a specific stimulus like a question with a clear "yes" or "no" answer. Apply pressure by pushing down on one arm with the other, resisting the pressure. Notice if your arm falls down despite your efforts to keep it up. Repeat the test without the stimulus and observe the difference in your arm's strength and flexibility.
Whole Body Test:
Ask yourself some obvious yes/no questions. For a “yes” or positive response, your body should sway forward slightly, and for a “no” or negative response, your body should sway backward. This pull or push you feel can serve as an indicator of your body's response to different stimuli.
It's important to note that self-muscle testing should be done gently and without forcing injured or stiff body parts. The accuracy of the results depends on your ability to be present, focused, and objective during the test.
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Interpreting the results
When performing self-muscle testing, the stimulus can be anything, including a substance, an idea, an emotion, an image, or a specific question with a clear "yes" or "no" answer. The results of the test will depend on the strength or weakness of the muscle being tested in the presence or absence of this stimulus. If the muscle weakens or loses its strength in response to the stimulus, it can indicate a "no" or negative response. Conversely, if the muscle remains strong or gains strength, it can indicate a "yes" or positive response.
Additionally, the direction of the body's movement during the test can also be indicative of the results. For example, if the body sways forward slightly, it can indicate a "yes" or positive response, while swaying backward can indicate a "no" or negative response.
It's important to note that self-muscle testing may not always provide consistent results, especially when the tester is tired, stressed, or unable to focus. In such cases, it is recommended to re-attempt the test when one is more clear-headed and energetic. Accuracy in self-muscle testing also depends on the tester's ability to remain objective and unbiased.
Practitioners of self-muscle testing believe that it can provide insights into the state of organs and organ systems, nutritional status, imbalances in meridians and chakras, mental or emotional stress, and chemical sensitivities or allergies. However, it is important to approach these interpretations with caution and not rely solely on self-muscle testing for important healthcare decisions.
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Factors that can affect results
Several factors can affect the results of self-muscle testing. Here are some key considerations:
Mental State and Focus: Your mental state and ability to focus can impact the accuracy of self-muscle testing. If you are tired, stressed, or unable to focus on the present moment, the results may be inconsistent. It's important to be clear-headed, energetic, and objective during the testing process.
Desire for a Specific Outcome: Self-muscle testing should be approached without attachment to a particular outcome. Being overly invested in a specific result can influence your objectivity and the accuracy of the test. It's crucial to maintain an open mind and desire only for the truth, even if the outcome may be unexpected.
Physical State: The presence of toxins or allergens in your system can also affect the results. Substances like wheat, corn, sugar, cow dairy, and heavy metals are known disruptors. It's recommended to pay attention to how your body reacts to certain foods or substances and minimize exposure to potential allergens to ensure accurate testing.
Electrical System Balance: Muscle testing relies on the balance of your body's electrical system. If your electrical circuits are overloaded or short-circuited, your muscles may weaken, impacting your ability to resist pressure. Conversely, when your electrical system is positively affected, your muscles will be stronger, and you'll be able to resist pressure more easily.
Practice and Familiarity: Consistency in practicing self-muscle testing is essential. With practice, you can develop a better understanding of your body's responses and improve the reliability of your results. It's recommended to start with simple, low-stakes questions and gradually build up your skills.
By being mindful of these factors and maintaining a neutral, focused mindset, you can enhance the accuracy and reliability of your self-muscle testing results.
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Using muscle testing to make decisions
Muscle testing is a technique that can help you make decisions by tapping into your body's innate wisdom. It was originally developed in the early 1900s to measure muscle weakness in polio victims, but it has since been adapted by physiotherapists and chiropractors for various other uses. One specific technique is called the Sway Test, which uses the body's natural balance and movement to determine its response to different stimuli.
To perform a muscle test on yourself, start by standing comfortably with your feet shoulder-width apart in a quiet and distraction-free environment. You can close your eyes to help you focus. Establish a baseline by thinking of something positive or beneficial and notice if your body sways forward. Then, think of something negative or harmful and observe if your body sways backward. During the test, hold the substance or item you want to test, or simply think about it or a specific situation. A forward sway typically indicates a "yes," while a backward sway usually indicates a "no."
It's important to note that muscle testing should not be used to make medical diagnoses or tell someone what to do. Additionally, it may not provide accurate results if you are attached to a particular outcome or have an idea of the "right" answer. Muscle testing is most effective when you are neutral or uncertain about the decision you are trying to make. With practice, it can become a reliable tool for accessing your body's wisdom and making decisions with confidence.
There are also other techniques for muscle testing, such as the one-handed test, where you extend one finger and use another finger from the same hand to push down on it. You can also try interlocking your index finger and thumb and pulling your hands away from each other with gentle but firm pressure. The pressure will hold for a "yes" and release for a "no." Experiment with different techniques to find the ones that work best for you.
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Frequently asked questions
Muscle testing is a way to access your body's innate wisdom. It involves applying pressure to a muscle and looking for a yes/no or stress response.
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, relax, and bend your knees slightly. Take three slow deep breaths and clear your mind. It is important to remain non-biased as you test.
You can try the one-handed test by extending one finger and using another finger from the same hand to push down on it. You can also try the whole-body test by asking your body to show you a yes and then a no. You will tilt slightly forward for yes and backward for no.
The stimulus can be anything: a substance that you hold close to you, an idea, an emotion, an image, or a specific question with a clear "yes" or "no" answer.
Inconsistent results may occur when you are tired, under the influence of a toxin, stressed, or unable to focus. Accuracy is dependent on getting yourself out of the way and being objective.
