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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 psychological conditions through the testing of muscle strength. It is a simple, non-invasive assessment tool used by various health practitioners during examinations. The basic principle of muscle testing is that when there is 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 then labelled as weak or strong based on its ability to resist this force.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other names | Applied kinesiology (AK), manual muscle testing (MMT), motor testing, muscle strength grading |
| Purpose | To diagnose structural, muscular, chemical, and psychological conditions |
| History | Developed in the early 20th century to measure muscle strength in polio patients; later adapted by chiropractor George J. Goodheart Jr., who founded AK |
| Function | Evaluates weakness, often when there is a suspected neurologic disease or muscle imbalance/weakness |
| Testing method | Testing key muscles from the upper and lower extremities against the examiner's resistance and grading the patient's strength on a scale |
| Accuracy | The science behind muscle testing has been widely disproven, but it is still practiced by followers of AK; a 2023 study found that AK provided accurate results when used to measure sacroiliac dysfunction |
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Muscle testing and applied 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. 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.
Applied kinesiology is a pseudoscientific technique that claims to diagnose illness or choose treatments by testing muscles for strength and weakness. It is not a part of the science of kinesiology, which is the study of the movement of the human body. 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, known as 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.
During a muscle test, a practitioner applies pressure to a muscle while the patient holds a potential allergen. If the muscle weakens under pressure, it is inferred that the patient may be allergic to the substance. Nutrient testing is used to examine the response of a patient's various muscles to different chemicals. Gustatory and olfactory stimulation are said to alter the outcome of a manual muscle test, with previously weak muscles being strengthened by the application of the correct nutritional supplement, and previously strong muscles being weakened by exposure to harmful or imbalancing substances or allergens.
The effectiveness of AK varies depending on the individual practitioner's skills. While some health professionals support its use, others remain skeptical due to the lack of substantial scientific evidence. Multiple tests and reviews have shown no significant evidence supporting its use for diagnosing allergies or other health conditions. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology stated that there is "no evidence of diagnostic validity" of applied kinesiology. The American Cancer Society has also stated that "scientific evidence does not support the claim that applied kinesiology can diagnose or treat cancer or other illnesses".
Despite the skepticism and lack of scientific evidence, AK has provided accurate results in certain cases. A 2023 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 techniques and their applications
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 or mental conditions by testing muscle strength. The basic idea behind AK is inspired by 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 internal issues are accompanied by related muscle weakness.
The method was developed in the early 20th century to measure muscle strength in polio patients. It was later adapted by chiropractor George J. Goodheart Jr., who founded applied kinesiology, now often used in sports medicine. Goodheart believed that muscles could be a communication gateway to the nervous system. During a muscle test, a strong muscle that weakens when a patient consumes gluten or dairy indicates that the body treats these foods as toxins. This is how the central nervous system (CNS) responds to something "negative" for the body. Any weakness observed during the muscle test is caused by the CNS answering the question, "Is this food good for me?" with "yes" or "no".
Muscle testing is also used to diagnose gut problems, revealing whether the body is hosting a parasite or a toxin, or responding badly to a particular food. For example, during a test for 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 is no issue, the push will be strong; otherwise, it will be startlingly weak.
Muscle strength testing is also used to evaluate complaints of weakness, especially when there is a suspected neurologic disease or muscle imbalance/weakness. It is often used for patients with stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, neuropathy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, among other neurological problems. The most commonly accepted method of evaluating muscle strength is the Oxford Scale (aka Medical Research Council Manual Muscle Testing scale), which 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. However, due to the difficulty of applying the Oxford Scale to all patients, physiotherapists often use modified versions in clinical practice.
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Muscle testing to uncover hidden problems
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. AK is based on the idea that any internal issues are accompanied by related muscle weakness. Thus, muscle testing can be used to uncover hidden problems in the body.
During a muscle test, a practitioner applies force to a single muscle or group of muscles. The muscle is then labelled as either "weak" or "strong" based on its ability to resist this force. This basic procedure can be used to diagnose a range of issues, from musculoskeletal structure problems to food intolerances. 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 the patient's push is weak, it indicates an intolerance to that food.
Muscle testing can also be used to uncover hidden problems related to organ function. For example, a weak bicep muscle may be indicative of an underlying problem with the spleen. In addition, muscle testing can help identify chemical sensitivities and "allergies", as well as detect imbalances in the meridians and chakras. Furthermore, muscle testing can be used to evaluate nutritional status and the need for supplementation.
While muscle testing is a controversial practice that has been widely disproven by scientific research, it remains popular among followers of applied kinesiology. Some standard orthopedic or chiropractic muscle tests may be helpful for specific muscle-related weaknesses, but they are generally not considered effective for diagnosing medical conditions. However, a 2023 study found that AK muscle testing provided accurate results when used to measure sacroiliac dysfunction.
Overall, muscle testing is a simple, non-invasive assessment tool that can provide valuable insights into the functioning of the body and uncover hidden problems that may be missed by conventional medical tests.
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Muscle testing for nutritional status and supplementation
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 was developed in the 1960s by chiropractor Dr. George Goodheart. 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 are accompanied by related muscle weakness. Thus, a muscle test can be performed to diagnose any underlying medical condition. During a test for a food intolerance, for example, a practitioner may place a vial with a trace of the food on or near the patient's body, then 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, it will be startlingly weak.
Through these tests, the practitioner can determine if a specific nutrient, mineral, or vitamin is lacking or if an imbalance is present. Based on the results, the practitioner may recommend dietary changes, supplements, or lifestyle adjustments to correct any deficiencies. This personalized approach can help individuals optimize their nutrition and support overall health. However, it is important to note that critics are deeply skeptical of AK, and some studies have found that it is no more useful than random guessing in evaluating nutrient status.
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Muscle testing to diagnose structural, muscular, chemical and psychological conditions
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. The basic idea behind AK is derived from 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 are accompanied by related muscle weakness.
Muscle testing is based on the idea that by testing the strength of muscles, underlying medical conditions can be diagnosed. For example, a weak bicep muscle in a muscle test may be attributed to an underlying problem with the spleen. However, it is important to note that 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. The medical community has rejected AK as a diagnostic tool for conditions beyond musculoskeletal disorders. A 2001 study found that muscle tests were no more effective than random guessing in diagnosing allergies.
Despite this, some practitioners continue to use AK, and it has been advocated for treating allergies and other sensitivities by the Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique (NAET). In certain cases, standard orthopedic or chiropractic muscle tests may be helpful for specific muscle-related weaknesses. For example, a 2023 study found that the applied kinesiology muscle test provided accurate results when used to measure sacroiliac dysfunction.
To diagnose structural issues, doctors may use imaging tests such as X-rays, arthrography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or bone scanning. Laboratory tests, including blood tests to measure inflammation markers and muscle damage, are also useful in diagnosing musculoskeletal disorders. For muscle wasting and weakening conditions, genetic testing can provide a more precise diagnosis, allowing for better access to treatment and management of the condition.
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Frequently asked questions
Muscle testing, or applied kinesiology (AK), is an alternative medicine practice that claims to diagnose structural, muscular, chemical, and psychological conditions through testing the strength of your muscles.
A muscle test will involve applying force to a muscle or group of muscles. The muscle is then labelled "weak" or "strong" based on its ability to resist this force.
Muscle testing is used to diagnose a range of issues, sometimes related to musculoskeletal structure. It can also be used to detect imbalances in the meridians and chakras, to discover the presence of mental or emotional stress, and to identify chemical sensitivities and allergies.
