Dominic Stone
Kinesiology 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. It is based on the idea that the body's muscles are connected to specific organs and systems through the nervous system, and that any internal issues will be accompanied by related muscle weakness. During a test, a practitioner will exert gentle pressure on a specific muscle, and the patient will be asked to resist that pressure. If the muscle unlocks or has trouble resisting, it is considered weak, and may indicate a problem in the corresponding organ or system. While AK has been rejected by the medical community as a diagnostic tool, it is still used by some chiropractors and functional medicine practitioners as a non-invasive way to assess a patient's health needs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other names | Applied kinesiology (AK), manual muscle testing (MMT) |
| Goal | 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. |
| Premise | The body's muscles are connected to specific organs and systems through the nervous system, creating a network of communication |
| Function | Examines the CNS to uncover hidden problems |
| Process | Patients are asked to hold or resist pressure in a specific direction |
| Muscle response | A smooth response is sometimes referred to as a "strong muscle," while a response that is not appropriate is sometimes called a "weak response" |
| Use cases | Diagnosing food intolerances, identifying underlying nutritional deficiencies, assessing gait, range of motion, and posture, uncovering imbalances within the body |
| Limitations | Not meant to assess muscle strength, not a standalone assessment tool, not suitable for diagnosing organic disease or mental illness |
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What You'll Learn
Manual muscle testing
MMT involves applying gentle pressure to specific muscles, one at a time, and the patient is asked to resist the pressure. Muscles that resist the pressure are considered "strong," while those that have difficulty resisting are considered "weak." However, it is important to note that MMT is not meant to assess muscle strength but rather to evaluate the nervous system's control over the muscle. It can provide insights into how different body systems are functioning and help identify any underlying issues.
MMT can be used to assess gait, range of motion, and posture, as well as identify potential irritants such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, yeast, and heavy metals. It can also be used to uncover underlying nutritional deficiencies and food intolerances. For example, during a food intolerance test, a practitioner may place a vial with a trace of a specific food on or near the patient's body and ask them to push against their hand. If the patient's push is weak, it may indicate an intolerance to that food.
While MMT has its proponents and has shown promise in diagnosing musculoskeletal disorders, it is important to note that the medical community has largely rejected it as a diagnostic tool for conditions outside of the musculoskeletal system. A 2001 study found that MMT was no more effective than random guessing in diagnosing allergies, and another study in the same year questioned its effectiveness in diagnosing mental illness or organic disease. However, a 2023 study found that AK muscle testing provided accurate results when used to measure sacroiliac dysfunction.
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Alternative medicine
Muscle testing, or kinesiology, has become an increasingly popular alternative medicine practice over the last 30 years. It is a non-invasive assessment tool used by various health practitioners to evaluate a wide range of health aspects, from general health status to specific supplement dosages.
Applied kinesiology (AK) is a pseudoscientific technique within the field of alternative medicine that claims to diagnose illnesses and guide treatment by assessing muscle strength and weakness. It is based on the principle that every organ dysfunction is associated with weakness in a specific corresponding muscle, known as the "viscerosomatic relationship". Treatment methods used by AK practitioners include joint manipulation, myofascial therapy, clinical nutrition, and dietary counselling.
Despite its popularity, AK has been largely rejected by the medical community as a valid diagnostic tool. The American Cancer Society has stated that "scientific evidence does not support the claim that applied kinesiology can diagnose or treat cancer or other illnesses". Additionally, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology concluded that there is "no evidence of diagnostic validity" in AK for allergy testing.
However, some studies have found potential benefits in specific applications of AK. For example, a 2023 study found that AK muscle testing provided accurate results when used to assess sacroiliac dysfunction. Furthermore, AK has been found to be useful in diagnosing musculoskeletal disorders, with a 2001 study showing that standard orthopedic or chiropractic muscle tests can be beneficial for identifying specific muscle weaknesses.
In conclusion, while AK has shown some promise in specific areas, it is not currently recognised by the mainstream medical community as a valid diagnostic or treatment modality. More research is needed to establish its effectiveness and validity in healthcare decision-making.
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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 by Dr. George Goodheart, a chiropractor, in the 1960s. Initially, it was used to assess the functional health of the body, particularly the musculoskeletal system.
Applied kinesiology is a term used to describe manual muscle testing diagnostics. It claims to identify specific allergies by measuring a patient's muscle strength in the presence of a potential allergen. The basic idea behind AK is that any internal issues in the body would be accompanied by related muscle weakness. During testing, the patient holds a vial containing the suspected allergen while the muscle strength in the opposite arm is measured by applying light pressure. A decrease in strength is said to indicate a positive test result.
However, it is important to note that applied kinesiology for allergy testing lacks scientific backing for its accuracy. Multiple studies have shown no significant evidence supporting its use for diagnosing allergies. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology has stated that there is "no evidence of diagnostic validity" of applied kinesiology. The American Cancer Society has also concluded that "scientific evidence does not support the claim that applied kinesiology can diagnose or treat cancer or other illnesses".
While muscle testing may provide insights into potential allergies, it should not be used as a standalone diagnostic tool. Traditional methods such as skin prick tests, blood tests, and observed food challenges are considered more reliable for identifying allergens. It is always recommended to consult a healthcare professional for accurate allergy diagnosis and treatment.
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Nutritional deficiencies
Applied Kinesiology (AK), also known as muscle testing, is a technique used to assess nutritional deficiencies. It is based on the idea that muscle strength can indicate the body's nutritional status. According to AK theory, "weak" muscles indicate a deficiency, and supplementing with the appropriate nutrient will strengthen those muscles.
However, the effectiveness of AK in evaluating nutrient status is disputed. Some studies have found that AK is no more effective than random guessing in determining nutritional deficiencies. In one study, the results of AK muscle testing for nutrients such as thiamin, zinc, vitamin A, and ascorbic acid were compared with standard laboratory tests, and no significant correlation was found.
Additionally, AK has been criticised as being pseudoscientific and not based on sound scientific principles. Some researchers have found no difference in muscle response to different substances or between substances and placebos, indicating that AK may not be a reliable method for assessing nutritional deficiencies.
Despite the skepticism, some practitioners continue to use AK to assess nutritional deficiencies and recommend supplements. They argue that AK provides a way to individualise dietary recommendations based on unique lifestyle factors and genetic variations that influence nutritional needs.
While the effectiveness of AK in detecting nutritional deficiencies remains controversial, it has shown some promise in specific areas. For example, a 2023 study found that AK muscle testing provided accurate results for diagnosing sacroiliac dysfunction, suggesting that AK may have value in certain contexts.
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Musculoskeletal disorders
Muscle testing, also known as applied kinesiology (AK), is a pseudoscientific diagnostic technique that claims to identify structural, muscular, chemical, and mental ailments. It is based on the idea that any internal issues are accompanied by related muscle weakness. However, it is important to note that AK is not a part of the science of kinesiology, which is the study of human body movement.
AK has been used to diagnose musculoskeletal disorders, and some studies have shown promising results in this area. For example, a 2023 study found that AK provided accurate results when used to measure sacroiliac dysfunction, and a 2001 study suggested that standard orthopedic or chiropractic muscle tests may be helpful for specific muscle-related weaknesses. Additionally, applied kinesiology-style muscle testing is used to determine the state of organs and organ systems, which can be related to musculoskeletal issues.
However, it is important to approach AK with caution. The medical community has largely rejected AK as a diagnostic tool for conditions outside of musculoskeletal disorders. For example, studies have shown that AK is not effective in diagnosing allergies, nutrient deficiencies, or cancer. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the American Cancer Society have all stated that there is no evidence to support the diagnostic validity of AK.
Furthermore, there is limited scientific rationale for AK methods, and results have been inconsistent and difficult to reproduce. Critics argue that AK lacks standardization, making it unreliable for healthcare decisions. While AK may provide insights into stubborn conditions, it should not be solely relied upon for diagnosis without further scientific research.
When it comes to diagnosing musculoskeletal disorders specifically, there are several other tests that are commonly used in addition to or instead of AK. These include laboratory tests, imaging tests such as X-rays and ultrasounds, electromyography, and nerve conduction studies. These tests can help identify inflammation, bone abnormalities, joint damage, and nerve disorders.
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Frequently asked questions
Kinesiology muscle testing, 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.
During a test, a practitioner will exert gentle pressure on a specific muscle, and the patient will resist the pressure. Muscles that resist the pressure are considered "strong", while those that do not are considered "weak".
Kinesiology muscle testing can be used to uncover underlying nutritional deficiencies, identify what supplements work for your body, and determine triggers for health issues, such as food sensitivity.
While some studies have shown promise for kinesiology muscle testing in diagnosing musculoskeletal disorders, the medical community has mostly rejected the idea of AK as a diagnostic tool for conditions in other systems of the body.
