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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 principle of kinesiology-style muscle testing is that when there is some stress or abnormal nervous system input to a muscle, it weakens. During a muscle test, a practitioner applies force to a muscle or group of muscles, and the muscle is labelled weak or strong based on its ability to resist this force. While AK has shown promise as a technique for 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.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alternative name | Applied Kinesiology (AK) |
| Type of medicine | Alternative medicine |
| Use | To diagnose illness or choose treatment |
| Method | Testing muscles for strength and weakness |
| Basis | Sir Isaac Newton's Laws of Motion |
| Development | Developed by chiropractor George Goodheart |
| Users | About 40% of American chiropractors |
| Basis of diagnosis | Weakness in a specific corresponding muscle |
| Testing | Manual muscle testing |
| Testing area | Areas of the body that are not injured |
| Testing procedure | Patient holds a vial containing an allergen |
| Testing procedure | Muscle strength in the opposite arm is measured |
| Testing procedure | A decrease in strength of the tested arm indicates a positive test |
| Testing procedure | Patient lies on a table with their arm in the air |
| Testing procedure | Patient pushes against the practitioner's hand with their raised arm |
| Testing procedure | Patient places a hand which is not being tested on the skin over the area suspected to be in need of therapeutic attention |
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What You'll Learn
Manual muscle testing
MMT is used for a variety of purposes in healthcare by medical, osteopathic, chiropractic, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and athletic training professionals. It is often used in conjunction with other typical diagnostic tools to determine the cause of dysfunction in the body.
During a muscle test, a practitioner applies a force to one muscle or group of muscles, with a particular intent in mind. The muscle is then labelled "weak" or "strong" based on its ability to resist this force. The basic principle of kinesiology-style muscle testing is that when there is some stress or abnormal nervous system input to a muscle, it "weakens".
MMT can be used to determine the state of organs and organ systems, evaluate nutritional status and the need for supplementation, detect imbalances in the meridians and chakras, identify mental or emotional stress, and identify chemical sensitivities and allergies.
While it has been claimed that MMT can effectively diagnose structural, muscular, chemical, and psychological conditions, the science behind it has been widely disproven. However, it is still practiced by followers of applied kinesiology, and the evidence base for applied kinesiology is expanding.
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Alternative medicine
Muscle testing, also known as applied kinesiology (AK) or manual muscle testing (MMT), is an alternative medicine practice. It is based on the principle that the body's muscles are connected to its internal energy system. It is used to diagnose structural, muscular, chemical, and mental ailments and to choose treatments. The basic idea behind AK is similar to one of Sir Isaac Newton’s Laws of Motion, which states, “for every action in nature, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”. Thus, AK applies this concept to the human body, suggesting that any internal issues would be accompanied by related muscle weakness.
AK is a pseudoscience-based technique in alternative medicine claimed to be able to diagnose illness or choose treatment by testing muscles for strength and weakness. The essential premise of AK, which is not shared by mainstream medical theory, is that every organ dysfunction is accompanied by a weakness in a specific corresponding muscle in what is termed the "viscerosomatic relationship.". Treatment modalities relied upon by AK practitioners include joint manipulation and mobilization, myofascial, cranial and meridian therapies, clinical nutrition, and dietary counselling.
A manual muscle test in AK is conducted by having the patient use the target muscle or muscle group to resist while the practitioner applies a force. A smooth response is sometimes referred to as a "strong muscle" and an inappropriate response is sometimes called a "weak response". This is not a raw test of strength, but rather a subjective evaluation of tension in the muscle and smoothness of response, taken to be indicative of a difference in spindle cell response during contraction. Therapy localization is another diagnostic technique unique to AK, where the patient places a hand that is not being tested on the skin over an area suspected to be in need of 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.
Several studies have been conducted to assess the validity of AK as a diagnostic tool. A 2001 study using muscle tests as an allergy test for wasp venom stated that it is no more helpful in diagnosing allergies than random guessing. Another study in 2005 confirmed that AK had no proven basis for diagnosis. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology also stated that there is Muscle testing, also known as applied kinesiology (AK) or manual muscle testing (MMT), is an alternative medicine practice. It is based on the principle that the body's muscles are connected to its internal energy system. It is used to diagnose structural, muscular, chemical, and mental ailments and to choose treatments.
AK is a pseudoscience-based technique in alternative medicine that claims to be able to diagnose illness or choose treatment by testing muscles for strength and weakness. The basic idea behind AK is similar to one of Sir Isaac Newton’s Laws of Motion, which states, “for every action in nature, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”. AK applies this concept to the human body, suggesting that any internal issues would be accompanied by related muscle weakness.
A manual muscle test in AK is conducted by having the patient use the target muscle or muscle group to resist while the practitioner applies a force. A smooth response is sometimes referred to as a "strong muscle", while a response that is not appropriate is sometimes called a "weak response". This is not a raw test of strength, but rather a subjective evaluation of tension in the muscle and smoothness of response, taken to be indicative of a difference in spindle cell response during contraction.
Therapy localization is another diagnostic technique unique to AK. The patient places a hand that is not being tested on the skin over an area suspected to be in need of 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 is not associated with a need for such intervention, the muscle response is unaffected.
Despite its popularity, the effectiveness of AK has been questioned by various studies and organizations. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology stated that there is "no evidence of diagnostic validity" of AK in allergy testing. Similarly, the American Cancer Society asserted that "scientific evidence does not support the claim that applied kinesiology can diagnose or treat cancer or other illnesses". A 2001 study on the kinesiology muscle test also concluded that You may want to see also Muscle testing, also known as Applied Kinesiology (AK), is a diagnostic tool used to evaluate the body's reaction to various substances. It involves applying light pressure to a muscle and assessing the resistance. The results can indicate nutrient deficiencies, structural imbalances, or other health concerns. In the context of allergy diagnosis, AK practitioners claim to identify specific allergies by measuring a patient's muscle strength in the presence of a putative allergen. The patient typically holds a vial containing the suspected allergen, while the practitioner measures the muscle strength in the opposite arm. A decrease in muscle strength is said to indicate a positive test result, suggesting an allergy to the substance. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of AK as a diagnostic tool for allergies is controversial. While some practitioners advocate its use, multiple scientific studies have questioned its validity. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the American Cancer Society, and other reputable organizations have stated that there is "no evidence of diagnostic validity" of AK in allergy diagnosis. Traditional allergy testing methods, such as skin prick tests, blood tests, and IgE antibody assessments, are generally considered more reliable and are recommended by allergy and immunology experts. It is always advisable to consult with healthcare professionals who follow proven diagnostic methods to ensure accurate and safe results. Additionally, sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a proven method for treating allergies. It involves gradually exposing the patient to small doses of the allergen to build tolerance over time. While AK is not recommended as a standalone diagnostic tool, it has been suggested that it could potentially be used alongside SLIT to monitor the body's responses during treatment. You may want to see also
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Muscle testing, or kinesiology, is a non-invasive assessment technique used by health practitioners to evaluate a patient's health. 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. This means that every organ dysfunction is accompanied by a weakness in a specific corresponding muscle in what is termed the "viscerosomatic relationship". Kinesiology-style muscle testing is used to determine the state of organs and organ systems. During a muscle testing session, the practitioner will apply gentle pressure to a specific muscle, 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, if muscle testing reveals weakness in a muscle associated with digestion, the practitioner may recommend dietary changes, supplements, or adjustments to support the digestive system. Muscle testing can also help identify structural imbalances or misalignments that may cause pain or discomfort, allowing the practitioner to provide targeted adjustments to restore proper function. It is important to note that the accuracy of muscle testing may be influenced by various factors, such as patient positioning and the potential presence of biases. While muscle testing has gained popularity, particularly among chiropractors and functional medicine practitioners, it is important to approach it with caution. There is conflicting evidence regarding its effectiveness in diagnosing specific conditions. Some studies suggest that it can accurately predict food allergies, low back pain, and simple phobias. However, other studies indicate that it is not reliable for evaluating nutritional status, nutritional intolerance, thyroid dysfunction, or chiropractic subluxation detection and correction. Furthermore, organisations such as the American Cancer Society and the Australian Government's Department of Health have stated that there is insufficient evidence to support the use of applied kinesiology for diagnosing or treating cancer or other illnesses. You may want to see also AK is a holistic system that considers the structural, chemical, and mental aspects of health. The basic principle of AK is that any internal issue is accompanied by related muscle weakness. This means that a muscle test can be used to diagnose underlying medical conditions and select appropriate treatments. For example, if a patient is experiencing gut problems, an AK practitioner may perform a muscle test to determine if the issue is due to a parasite, toxin, or food intolerance. The patient may be asked to hold a vial containing a trace of a specific food while the practitioner measures the strength of the patient's arm. If the patient's arm weakens, it indicates an intolerance to that food. AK can also be used to identify underlying nutritional deficiencies. If a patient tests strongly for a specific nutrient, it may suggest that they are running low on that nutrient and need to supplement their diet. In addition to these treatments, AK practitioners may also recommend chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, homeopathy, and other complementary medicine methods. However, it is important to note that AK is considered a pseudoscience by mainstream medical theory, and there is limited scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness. You may want to see also Muscle testing kinesiology, 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. The basic principle of muscle testing kinesiology is that when there is some stress or abnormal nervous system input to a muscle, it weakens. During a muscle test, a practitioner applies a force to one muscle or group of muscles, with a particular intent in mind. The muscle is then labelled "weak" or "strong" based on its ability to resist this force. Muscle testing kinesiology is a non-invasive assessment technique that can uncover imbalances and dysfunctions within the body, providing insights into various health issues and guiding the course of treatment. Muscle testing kinesiology has been criticised for lacking scientific validity and reproducibility. Some studies have found that it is no more effective than random guessing in diagnosing allergies and evaluating nutrient status.Muscle Fibers: Intricate Arrangements for Powerful Contractions
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