Alec Titan
Muscle testing, also known as applied kinesiology, is a form of alternative medicine that claims to diagnose ailments and determine whether certain substances are beneficial to an individual's health. It is based on the theory that muscles will respond to electrical and energetic shifts in the body, causing a match or mismatch reaction. While muscle testing is not widely accepted in mainstream medical circles, it is used by various healthcare practitioners, including medical doctors, naturopaths, and chiropractors. It is often used to test for imbalances, allergies, intolerances, and nutritional deficiencies. The basic procedure involves holding or consuming a substance while applying pressure to a muscle group to test for strength or weakness. Despite its use, muscle testing should not be solely relied upon as it has limitations and can be influenced by personal bias.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other names | Applied kinesiology (AK), manual muscle testing (MMT), energy testing, muscle response testing |
| Theory | Major muscles respond to electrical/energetic shifts in the body |
| Use | To determine what makes the body strong or weak, and what foods or supplements are helpful |
| Who uses it | Chiropractors, osteopaths, naturopaths, allopaths, skilled nutritionists |
| How it works | By testing for muscle weakness or strength in the presence of specific supplements or foods |
| Limitations | Not accepted in mainstream medical circles, not to be used for diagnosis of serious conditions |
| Tips | Remove bias, stand barefoot or in flat shoes, ask precise questions, practice |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle testing methods
Muscle testing, also known as applied kinesiology, is a form of energy work that allows us to get yes or no answers from our body. It is based on the theory that any major muscle will respond to electrical or energetic shifts in the body. It is theorized that the body naturally reacts in congruence or incongruence (match or mismatch) to anything it is exposed to. The premise for muscle testing is that deep down our body and subconscious know all and are connected to the entire universe.
There are many different muscle testing methods, some complex and some simple. The complex methods use reflex or acupuncture points to help determine weaknesses in the body. Simple methods test for muscle weakness or strength in the presence of specific supplements or foods. One simple method involves standing barefoot or in flat shoes. Hold the supplement or food in your hand and state, "This is good for my body." Become still, and after a few moments, your body will either be pulled forward or backward. If your body is pulled forward, it indicates that the substance is good for you, and if it is pulled backward, it is not.
Another method involves adopting a firm stance with your feet shoulder-width apart. If testing food, vitamins, or supplements, hold the item in one hand, place that hand over your heart, then cover it with the other. Make an affirmative statement regarding the item, like, "This is good for me," or "This is good for my body." Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and clear your mind. When you finally note a difference in your posture, open your eyes to see if you've leaned forward (an affirmative response) or backward (a negative response).
A control test can also be performed to see what the answers feel like and to ensure that you are correctly in tune with your body. Stand straight with your feet together so that you are slightly wobbly and can easily fall off balance. Say out loud, "My name is [your name]," and then let your body relax and be pulled in the direction it wants to go. You'll notice that your body is slightly inclined to pull forward, and that is the answer for yes.
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The theory behind muscle testing
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. AK is based on the theory that any major muscle will respond to electrical or energetic shifts in the body. The body is theorised to react in congruence or incongruence (match or mismatch) to anything it is exposed to.
Muscle testing is a non-invasive way of assessing the body's needs and can be used to test for imbalances, allergies, intolerances, and nutrient deficiencies or excesses. It is important to note that muscle testing is not accepted in mainstream medical circles and is not considered a source of absolute truth. However, it is used by many health care practitioners, including medical doctors, naturopaths, and chiropractors.
To perform a muscle test, the tester places their hand on the subject's shoulder while the subject extends their other arm straight out to the side. The subject holds the supplement or food in their free hand and their arm is tested for weakness or strength. If the arm is weak and cannot stay up, it is believed that the substance is not suitable for the body. However, if the arm stays strong, the substance is considered beneficial.
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How to self-muscle test
Muscle testing, also called applied kinesiology, is a non-invasive way of assessing what your body needs. It can be used to test for imbalances, allergies, or intolerances that are causing discomfort or negative side effects such as bloating, tiredness, or weight gain. It can also be used to find micronutrient deficiencies or excesses from vitamins, minerals, or amino acids.
The theory behind muscle testing is that energy circuits in the body can be "shut down" due to imbalances or blocked by illness, injury, or toxin overload. By balancing the body's energy, the systems can heal, returning the body to a state of health. Muscle testing allows you to determine what makes your body strong or weak via the strength or weakness of an indicator muscle.
Muscle testing can be done by another person or you can do it yourself using various methods. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to self-muscle test:
- Have the foods and/or supplements you want to test in front of you and easily accessible.
- When testing multiple supplements, shuffle them and avoid looking at which one you're picking to eliminate potential bias.
- Stand barefoot or in flat shoes with your feet together so that you are unsteady and can easily fall off balance. Alternatively, you can do this with your feet apart, especially as you gain more experience.
- Hold the supplement or food in your hand.
- State, "This is good for my body."
- Become still, and after a few moments, your body will either be pulled forward or backward.
- If your body is pulled forward, it means the substance is not good for you, and if it is pulled backward, it is good for you.
Two other popular techniques for self-muscle testing are the sway test and the interlocking finger test. The sway test involves saying a statement out loud, such as your name, and then letting your body relax and be pulled in the direction it wants to go. This can help you understand what a "yes" or "no" answer feels like and ensure you are correctly in tune with your body.
It is important to note that muscle testing is not widely accepted in mainstream medical circles, and it might not always be correct. Talking to doctors or experts is essential before making decisions about supplements. Therefore, think of muscle testing as a helpful tool to guide your decisions, but be sure to seek advice from experts as well.
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Muscle testing as a diagnostic tool
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 psychological conditions by testing muscle strength. It is based on the theory that any major muscle will respond to electrical or energetic shifts in the body, causing a match or mismatch reaction. The basic idea behind AK is similar to one of Sir Isaac Newton's Laws of Motion, which states that "for every action in nature, there is an equal and opposite reaction."
AK practitioners refer to muscles as either "facilitated" or "strong" (grade 5), or "functionally inhibited" or "weak" (grade 4 or less on a 0-5 scale). The most common method of evaluating muscle strength is the Oxford Scale (Medical Research Council Manual Muscle Testing scale), which involves testing key muscles against the examiner's resistance and grading the patient's strength.
Muscle testing can be used to determine what makes a body strong or weak and can be used to decide on supplements and foods that are beneficial or harmful to an individual. It is often used to test for imbalances, allergies, or intolerances causing discomfort or negative side effects. It can also be used to find micronutrient deficiencies or excesses.
While muscle testing is not widely accepted in mainstream medical circles, it is used by many health care practitioners, including medical doctors, naturopaths, and chiropractors. Some people use it as a confirmation tool to validate their doubts or concerns.
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The accuracy of muscle testing
Muscle testing, also known as applied kinesiology (AK) or manual muscle testing (MMT), is a simple, non-invasive assessment tool used by many health practitioners to determine what makes a body strong or weak. It is based on the theory that any major muscle will respond to electrical or energetic shifts in the body, and that the body naturally reacts in congruence or incongruence (match or mismatch) to anything it is exposed to.
There have been several studies conducted on the accuracy of muscle testing. A 2001 study found that muscle tests were no more helpful in diagnosing allergies than random guessing. Another study found that experienced practitioners of applied kinesiology were more accurate in predicting muscle strength compared to inexperienced practitioners, with accuracies of 98% and 64% respectively. Additionally, studies have shown that muscle testing can accurately predict low back pain, simple phobias, and food allergies. However, it is important to note that muscle testing should not be used as a crystal ball for finding the truth, as it is not a source of absolute truth.
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