Dominic Stone
Muscle testing, also known as applied kinesiology (AK) or manual muscle testing (MMT), is a diagnostic tool that uses the body's nervous system to uncover hidden problems. It is based on the principle 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. The basic idea behind AK is that any internal issues are accompanied by related muscle weakness. Thus, muscle testing can be used to diagnose underlying medical conditions. The most commonly accepted method of evaluating muscle strength is the Oxford Scale (aka 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.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other names | Applied kinesiology (AK), manual muscle testing (MMT), motor testing, muscle strength grading |
| History | Developed in the early 20th century to measure muscle strength in polio patients |
| Founder | Chiropractor George J. Goodheart Jr., DC |
| Purpose | To diagnose structural, muscular, chemical, and mental ailments |
| Function | Evaluates muscle strength and weakness, especially when there is a suspected neurological disease or muscle imbalance/weakness |
| Method | Testing key muscles from the upper and lower extremities against the examiner's resistance and grading the patient's strength on a scale |
| Use cases | Patients with stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, neuropathy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, older people, and other neurological problems |
| Benefits | Provides insight into stubborn conditions when nothing else will |
| Limitations | Critics are deeply skeptical, and the evidence base for applied kinesiology is still growing |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle testing as a diagnostic tool
Muscle testing, also known as applied kinesiology (AK) or manual muscle testing (MMT), is a diagnostic tool used to uncover hidden problems in the body. It is based on the principle 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. By testing the strength of specific muscles, practitioners can identify potential underlying causes of physical and emotional issues, such as food sensitivities, gut problems, toxins, infections, trauma, or hormonal imbalances.
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." Applied to the human body, this means that any internal issues may be accompanied by related muscle weakness. For example, during a muscle test, if a strong muscle weakens when a patient consumes gluten or dairy, it may indicate that the body treats these foods as toxins.
Muscle testing can be performed in a variety of ways, including the commonly accepted Oxford Scale or Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale, which involves testing key muscles against the examiner's resistance and grading the patient's strength on a scale. It is important to note that muscle testing is not always accurate, and critics are skeptical of its effectiveness. However, it has been found to be useful in certain cases, such as measuring sacroiliac dysfunction, and can provide insights when other methods fail.
To ensure accurate muscle testing, proper technique is crucial. Examiners should pay attention to factors such as the patient's clothing, joint stabilization, and the elimination of gravity during testing. Muscle testing can be a valuable tool for chiropractors, functional medicine practitioners, and other healthcare professionals to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their patients' unique health needs and develop tailored treatment plans.
Overall, muscle testing as a diagnostic tool offers a non-invasive way to uncover imbalances and dysfunctions within the body, providing insights into various health issues and guiding the course of treatment.
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Muscle strength testing methods
Muscle strength testing is used to detect and evaluate weakness, and plays a crucial role in diagnosing disorders, tracking disease progression, guiding rehabilitation, and evaluating treatment effectiveness. It is often used in patients with stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, neuropathy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
There are various methods of muscle strength testing, including manual, functional, and mechanical testing. The most commonly accepted method is the Oxford Scale (also known as the Medical Research Council Manual Muscle Testing scale or the MRC Scale for Muscle Strength). 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 scale from 0 to 5. Commonly tested muscles include the shoulder abductors, elbow flexors, wrist extensors, finger flexors, hip flexors, knee extensors, and plantar flexors.
Another method of muscle strength testing is dynamometry, which provides a more precise measurement of the force that a muscle can exert. Hand-grip dynamometry, for example, involves the patient squeezing a handle that measures and records the applied force. However, this method requires costly or specialized equipment and has limited availability to clinicians.
Functional strength tests are another method of muscle strength testing that focuses on evaluating the quality of functional movements such as squatting, performing a step-up, or daily tasks and gross motor activities. These tests allow examiners to assess strength within a natural context but do not provide a grade or numeric quantity to track improvement over time.
Muscle testing can also be used in applied kinesiology (AK), an alternative medicine practice that claims to diagnose structural, muscular, chemical, and mental ailments. AK suggests that any internal issues are accompanied by related muscle weakness, and a muscle test can be used to diagnose underlying medical conditions. For example, during a test for a food intolerance, a practitioner may place a vial with a trace of the food on or near the patient's body and ask them to push against their hand. If there is no issue, the patient's push will be strong, but if there is an issue, it will be weak. However, critics are skeptical of AK, and some studies have shown that muscle tests are useless for diagnosing certain medical conditions.
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Applied kinesiology and muscle testing
Applied kinesiology (AK) is an alternative medicine practice that claims to diagnose structural, muscular, chemical, and mental ailments. It is based on the idea that the body is constantly trying to communicate with itself to maintain balance. This communication is done through the turning on and off of muscles, which is controlled by the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS responds to both internal and external stimuli, and a muscle test can help uncover hidden problems.
The basic principle of AK is that for every action in nature, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that any internal issues are accompanied by related muscle weakness. Thus, a muscle test can be used to diagnose underlying medical conditions. However, it is important to note that AK is not a part of the science of kinesiology, which is the study of the movement of the human body.
During a muscle test, a patient is asked to use a target muscle or muscle group to resist while the practitioner applies force. A smooth response is referred to as a "strong muscle," while a response that is not appropriate is called a "weak response." A weak muscle may be caused by trauma, infection, or hormonal imbalances. Gustatory and olfactory stimulation can alter the outcome of a manual muscle test, with previously weak muscles being strengthened by the application of the correct nutritional supplement.
While AK has shown promise in diagnosing musculoskeletal disorders, the medical community has mostly rejected it as a diagnostic tool for other systems of the body. Studies have found that AK is no more useful than random guessing in diagnosing allergies and nutrient deficiencies. The Australian Government's Department of Health also found no clear evidence of the effectiveness of AK. Thus, it is not advised to rely on AK when making important healthcare decisions.
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Muscle testing for food intolerances
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 that any internal issues you may be experiencing would be accompanied by related muscle weakness.
During a muscle test for food intolerance, a practitioner may place a vial with a trace of the food on or near your body and then ask you to push against their hand with your raised arm. If there is no issue, your push will be strong. If there is an issue, it will be startlingly weak. This indicates that the body treats these foods as toxins. This is how the central nervous system (CNS) responds to something that is "negative" for the body. Any weakness you see on the muscle test is caused by the CNS answering the question, "Is this food good for me?"
While muscle testing for food intolerances may be helpful for some people, critics are deeply skeptical of its effectiveness. A 2001 study found that muscle tests are useless for diagnosing medical conditions. However, a 2003 study found that the applied kinesiology muscle test provided accurate results when used to measure sacroiliac dysfunction. The accuracy compared to other types of tests was found to be comparable, and further studies are recommended.
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Muscle testing and the subconscious mind
Muscle testing, also known as applied kinesiology (AK) or manual muscle testing (MMT), is a diagnostic tool that uses the body's nervous system to uncover hidden problems. The human body can communicate through the turning on or off of muscles, which is the language of the central nervous system (CNS). This communication can be accessed through muscle testing to gain information about patients that is otherwise unavailable.
Muscle testing is based on the principle 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. When you test a muscle with applied kinesiology, you are examining the CNS, as it controls when muscles turn on and off. A muscle turning on or off is the final output of many different pathways, including hormones, toxins, hydration, sleep, stress, nutrition, electromagnetics, and so on. Muscle testing can pick up on disturbances in all the different body systems. For example, during a muscle test, if a strong muscle weakens when a patient puts gluten or dairy in their mouth, it indicates that the body treats these foods as toxins.
Muscle testing can be used to diagnose a range of issues, sometimes related to musculoskeletal structure. It can also be used to determine if the body is hosting a parasite or toxin or responding badly to a particular food. During a test for food intolerance, for example, a practitioner may place a vial with a trace of the food on or near the patient's body and then ask them to push against their hand with a raised arm. If there is no issue, the push will be strong, and if there is, it will be startlingly weak.
Muscle testing is designed to bring subconscious information into conscious awareness. The subconscious mind records everything we experience, including every illness, injury, thought, feeling, memory, and the entire history of every cell in the body. It knows everything the body needs to achieve better health and balance, but most people don't know how to access this knowledge. Muscle testing taps into the subconscious mind, allowing us to answer questions about our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It is a non-invasive method to determine the potential underlying causes of physical and emotional issues.
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Frequently asked questions
Muscle checking, also known as muscle testing or applied kinesiology (AK), is a diagnostic tool that uses the body's nervous system to uncover hidden problems. The basic idea is that the body can communicate through the turning on or off of muscles.
Muscle checking involves testing key muscles from the upper and lower extremities against an examiner's resistance and grading the patient's strength on a scale. Commonly tested muscles include the shoulder abductors, elbow flexors, and finger flexors.
Muscle checking can be used to diagnose a range of issues, from musculoskeletal structure problems to gut problems. It can also be used to identify food intolerances and sensitivities. For example, during a test for a food intolerance, a practitioner may place a vial with a trace of the food on or near the patient's body and ask them to push against their hand with their raised arm. If there's no issue, the push will be strong, and if there is an issue, it will be weak.
