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Muscle testing, also known as applied kinesiology (AK) or manual muscle testing (MMT), is a diagnostic tool used by chiropractors and functional medicine practitioners to uncover imbalances, dysfunctions, and weaknesses within the body. It involves applying gentle pressure to specific muscles while the patient resists the force, with weak or unresponsive muscles potentially indicating issues related to corresponding organs or systems. While it is not a diagnostic tool in conventional medicine, muscle testing is used to guide treatment plans and has gained popularity for its ability to provide insights into stubborn health conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Applied Kinesiology (AK), Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) |
| Purpose | To diagnose structural, muscular, chemical, and mental ailments |
| History | Developed in the early 20th century to measure muscle strength in polio patients |
| Founder | Chiropractor George J. Goodheart Jr., DC |
| Function | Evaluates muscle strength and weakness, neurological responses, and muscle imbalances |
| Uses | Detecting issues with musculoskeletal structure, gut problems, food intolerance, toxins, allergies, and medical conditions |
| Testing Method | Applying pressure to specific muscles while the patient resists |
| Muscle States | Weak or unresponsive, strong |
| Results | Customized care plans, dietary changes, supplements, adjustments, targeted treatments |
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What You'll Learn
Manual muscle testing (MMT)
Distal strength, for example, can be measured with a handgrip ergometer or an inflated BP cuff squeezed by the patient. This can be used to record grip strength and requires specialised equipment such as dynamometers. Dynamometry provides a precise measurement of the force a muscle can exert and can track strength changes over time. It also offers a better understanding of the relationship between strength and disability.
MMT may not be sufficiently sensitive to measure strength in good and normal ranges. However, it is still a valuable tool for evaluating muscle strength and identifying potential neurological issues.
Standardised response means for Total MMT scores have been established through research. For instance, Rider, L.G. et al. (2010) found that the standardised response mean for Total MMT was 0.56 in juvenile IIM and 0.75 in patients with adult PM/DM.
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Applied kinesiology (AK)
AK is based on the premise that a question can be mentally held in a person's mind, sometimes while they hold a substance like a vitamin or food sample, and by measuring relative muscular weakness, an answer can be obtained as to whether the substance or the condition represented by the question is good for that person. The fundamental assumption of all AK sessions is that substances that are harmful to life generally, or to the individual being tested, produce weakness in the muscle tested compared to control samples.
The most common variation of AK is the muscle test, which is the diagnostic basis for observing muscular reaction patterns after diagnostic provocation in a mechanical, biochemical, or psychological manner. The patient places the hand that is not being tested on the skin over an area suspected to need therapeutic attention. This fingertip contact may lead to a change in muscle response from strong to weak or vice versa when therapeutic intervention is indicated. If the area touched does not require such intervention, the muscle response remains unaffected.
AK is primarily used by chiropractors, but it is also used by many other practitioners of complementary therapy. It is an interdisciplinary approach to healthcare that draws together the core elements of complementary therapies, creating a more unified approach to the diagnosis and treatment of functional illness.
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Diagnosing medical conditions
Muscle testing is an alternative medicine practice that claims to diagnose structural, muscular, chemical, and psychological conditions by testing muscle strength. The most common method of evaluating muscle strength is the Oxford Scale, which involves testing key muscles against the examiner's resistance and grading the patient's strength on a scale of 0 to 5. However, the science behind muscle testing has been widely disproven, and it is not considered an effective method for diagnosing medical conditions.
Electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic test that evaluates muscle health and function by measuring muscle response or electrical activity in response to nerve stimulation. It can help diagnose injuries or diseases affecting motor nerves and muscles, including peripheral nerve issues, nerve root problems, muscle disorders, and conditions affecting the connection between nerves and muscles. EMG is generally safe, but muscle soreness and bruising may occur after the procedure.
Manual muscle testing (MMT) is used by various healthcare professionals, including medical, osteopathic, chiropractic, and physical therapy practitioners. It can be used to assess maximum muscle force and differentiate between different types of lesions. Applied kinesiology (AK), a form of MMT, is based on the idea that muscles can communicate with the nervous system and can be used to diagnose underlying problems. However, AK has been criticised as "not conforming to scientific fact", and most of the medical community has rejected it as a diagnostic tool for conditions beyond musculoskeletal disorders.
While muscle testing can provide insight into stubborn conditions, it should not be relied upon as the sole method of diagnosis. Healthcare providers often use EMG in conjunction with other tests, such as imaging, blood work, and muscle biopsies, to make a comprehensive diagnosis. Therefore, while muscle testing can be a component of the diagnostic process, it should be supplemented with other medical tests to ensure accurate and effective patient care.
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Muscle strength testing
The most commonly accepted method of evaluating muscle strength is the Medical Research Council Manual Muscle Testing scale. This method involves testing key muscles from the upper and lower extremities against the examiner's resistance and grading the patient's strength on a 0 to 5 scale. Commonly tested muscles include the shoulder abductors, elbow flexors, wrist extensors, finger flexors, hip flexors, knee extensors, and plantar flexors. The unaffected side should be tested first to gauge strength for comparison, and all four limbs should be tested for a complete evaluation.
The Oxford Scale is another commonly accepted method that does not require special equipment and demonstrates reasonable inter-rater reliability. However, it can be challenging to apply to all patients in clinical practice as many patients assessed by physiotherapists may not possess the full range of motion due to their pathology. As a result, physiotherapists often use modified versions of the Oxford Scale. More precise methods of measurement, such as hand-grip dynamometry, provide quantifiable measurements that can be tracked over time.
Functional testing is also used to assess muscle strength and provides a better picture of the relationship between strength and disability. This involves observing the patient performing various maneuvers and quantifying any deficiencies. For example, rising from a squatting position or stepping onto a chair tests proximal leg strength, while walking on the heels and tiptoes tests distal strength.
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Chiropractic muscle testing
During a muscle testing session, the chiropractor will apply gentle pressure to specific muscles or muscle groups, while the patient resists the force. If the muscle is weak or unresponsive, this may indicate an issue related to the corresponding organ or system. For example, a patient suffering from indigestion may undergo standard medical tests such as blood work, physical exams, and endoscopic exams, but if these tests do not reveal the cause, muscle testing can provide additional insights. By identifying the root cause of dysfunction, chiropractors can develop tailored treatment plans that address the whole person, rather than merely treating symptoms.
While muscle testing can provide valuable insights, it should be noted that its validity as a diagnostic tool is debated within the healthcare community. The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) acknowledges that chiropractors use muscle testing as part of their evaluation process but emphasizes that it should not be a standalone diagnostic tool. Many healthcare professionals and scientific organizations view muscle testing claims with skepticism due to the lack of standardized procedures and limited empirical evidence. Critics argue that results may be influenced by factors such as the practitioner's strengths and suggestions, rather than providing an accurate diagnosis.
Despite the controversy, some chiropractors incorporate muscle testing into their practice, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of each patient's unique health needs. Muscle testing can be used to identify structural imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, organ dysfunction, and psychological conditions. It is often used in conjunction with other diagnostic tools to guide treatment plans, which may include chiropractic adjustments, nutritional recommendations, dietary changes, or other interventions.
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Frequently asked questions
Muscle testing is an alternative medicine practice that claims to diagnose structural, muscular, chemical, and psychological conditions through testing the strength of your muscles. It is also known as applied kinesiology (AK) or manual muscle testing (MMT).
The basic posture for applied kinesiology muscle tests involves the patient lying on a table with their arm in the air. The tester places a hand gently on the subject’s shoulder and the other hand just above the subject’s wrist. Then, the tester gently applies pressure to the wrist. The arm will hold strong for a yes, and become weak for a no.
Muscle testing can be used to diagnose a range of issues, including musculoskeletal structure, gut problems, and food intolerances. It can also be used to ask the body questions, especially when one is having trouble deciding. For example, "Is taking this job for my best and highest good?".
The science behind muscle testing 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. However, some studies have found that applied kinesiology muscle tests can provide accurate results in certain cases, such as when used to measure sacroiliac dysfunction.
