Dominic Stone
Muscle testing, or kinesiology, is a non-invasive assessment tool used by health practitioners to evaluate a patient's general health and specific supplement dosage. The first known use of muscle testing was by R W Lovett, a Boston orthopedic surgeon, in 1932, to assess disabilities in patients with polio and nerve damage. The technique was further developed in 1949 by physiotherapists Henry and Florence Kendall, who published Muscles: Testing and Function, helping to launch kinesiology muscle testing. In the 1960s, chiropractor George Goodheart developed applied kinesiology, which is used to diagnose illness or choose treatments by testing muscles for strength and weakness. Goodheart found that massaging reflex points could strengthen weak muscles and that balancing muscles could improve organ function. Today, muscle testing is used in over 70 different techniques by more than one million practitioners worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First Known Use | 1932, by R W Lovett, a Boston orthopedic surgeon |
| First Use Case | To assess disabilities in patients with polio and nerve damage |
| Kinesiology Muscle Testing | Developed by Henry and Florence Kendall, who published Muscles: Testing and Function (1949) |
| Applied Kinesiology | Developed by George Goodheart, a chiropractor from Detroit, Michigan, in 1964 |
| Behavioral Kinesiology | Developed by Dr. John Diamond, a psychiatrist, in the late 1970s |
| Clinical Kinesiology | Developed by Alan Beardall, a chiropractor |
| Neural Organization Technique | Developed by Carl Ferreri, a chiropractor |
| Muscle Response Testing | Also known as Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) |
| Number of Techniques | Over 70 |
| Number of Practitioners | Over 1 million worldwide |
| Use Cases | General health status, specific supplement dosage, nutrient testing, emotional stress, allergies, and more |
| Limitations | Limited scientific studies and research due to variations in usage and interpretation |
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What You'll Learn
The origins of muscle testing
Muscle testing, or kinesiology, was first used in the 20th century to measure muscle weakness in polio patients. The first known use of muscle testing goes back to R W Lovett, a Boston orthopedic surgeon, who used it to assess disabilities in patients with polio and nerve damage in 1932. This work was further developed by Henry and Florence Kendall, who published 'Muscles: Testing and Function' in 1949, helping to launch kinesiology muscle testing.
In the late 1970s, Dr John Diamond, a psychiatrist and practitioner of preventative medicine, discovered that indicator muscles would strengthen or weaken in the presence of positive or negative emotional and intellectual stimuli, not just physical stimuli. He called his discovery Behavioral Kinesiology.
In 1964, chiropractor George Goodheart developed a new use for muscle testing. Goodheart's technique is called Applied Kinesiology and is used by approximately 40% of American chiropractors. Goodheart's interest in muscle testing stemmed from his observation that many chiropractic adjustments were ineffective because they did nothing to relieve muscles that were in spasm. He also observed that a muscle in spasm (often causing pain) was caused by the opposing muscle being too weak. Goodheart began searching for ways to bring weak muscles back into balance and developed a system for quickly realigning the body's structure by balancing muscles. He also found that some clients experienced a clearing of additional issues once he had balanced their muscles, and identified associations between chiropractic techniques and Chinese medicine.
Goodheart's work influenced the development of other systems of kinesiology, including Clinical Kinesiology (developed by Alan Beardall, a chiropractor), Behavioral Kinesiology (John Diamond, psychiatrist), and Neural Organization Technique (Carl Ferreri, chiropractor).
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Kinesiology and its evolution
Kinesiology, derived from the Ancient Greek 'kínēsis' (movement) and 'logía' (study of), is the scientific study of human body movement. The earliest records of kinesiology can be traced back to ancient Greece, where the philosopher Aristotle observed and analysed the movements of animals and humans in his studies of natural science.
In the centuries that followed, kinesiology continued to evolve as a field of study, with early researchers using emerging techniques of anatomy and physiology to understand the mechanisms of movement. The 16th-century anatomist Andreas Vesalius produced detailed drawings and descriptions of the human musculoskeletal system, laying the foundation for the modern study of kinesiology.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, kinesiology emerged as a distinct scientific field as researchers began to apply the principles of physics and engineering to the study of human movement. During this time, kinesiology expanded into areas such as sports medicine, exercise physiology, and physical therapy. The development of new technologies such as MRI and fNIRS allowed researchers to study the brain and body in unprecedented detail, leading to breakthroughs in understanding movement and human health.
Kinesiology has continued to evolve, with applications in biomechanics, orthopaedics, strength and conditioning, sport psychology, motor control, rehabilitation, and sport and exercise physiology. The study of kinesiology is now a thriving, multidisciplinary field, with professionals working in areas such as sports coaching, consulting, research, and policy development related to human movement and performance.
Muscle testing, an integral part of Applied Kinesiology, was first developed in the 20th century by chiropractor George Goodheart. Goodheart found that by balancing his clients' muscles, he could provide additional healing beyond chiropractic alignment. He identified associations between chiropractic techniques and Chinese medicine, such as acupuncture meridians. John Thie, a student of Goodheart, theorised that muscles tested differently depending on the stress they were under, leading to the assertion that muscular symptoms were connected to imbalances in energy and emotions.
Dr John Diamond, a psychiatrist working in preventative medicine, discovered in the late 1970s that indicator muscles would strengthen or weaken in the presence of positive or negative emotional and intellectual stimuli. He called this Behavioural Kinesiology and used it as a tool to diagnose and treat psychiatric patients.
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Muscle testing in practice
Muscle testing, also known as kinesiology, is a non-invasive assessment tool used by various health practitioners during examinations and evaluations. It was first used in the 20th century to measure muscle weakness in polio patients and has since grown in popularity.
Muscle testing is used to assess a wide range of issues, from general health status to specific supplement dosages. It is often used to diagnose musculoskeletal structure issues, such as sacroiliac dysfunction, and can also be used to test for food intolerances or allergies. For example, during a food intolerance test, 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 a raised arm. If the patient has no issue with the food, their push will be strong, and if there is an issue, it will be noticeably weaker.
The most commonly accepted method of evaluating muscle strength is the Oxford Scale, also known as 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 scale from 0 to 5. Commonly tested muscles include the shoulder abductors, elbow flexors, wrist extensors, and finger flexors.
In applied kinesiology, muscle testing is used to examine the central nervous system (CNS) and how it controls muscle function. The basic principle 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 with a specific intent, and the muscle is then labelled as weak or strong based on its ability to resist.
While muscle testing has been used by many practitioners and clients who have reported improvements in their body's ability to heal itself, the science behind it has been widely disproven, and it is not recommended for making important healthcare decisions.
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The impact of muscle testing
Muscle testing, also known as kinesiology, has become increasingly popular over the last three decades. It is a non-invasive assessment tool used by a variety of health practitioners to evaluate a wide range of conditions.
Muscle testing is based on the principle that muscular symptoms are connected to imbalances in the body's energy patterns. These imbalances may be related to energy blockages, physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or nutritional issues. The technique involves applying force to a muscle or group of muscles and assessing the patient's ability to resist. The muscle is then labelled as "weak" or "strong".
The development of muscle testing can be traced back to the work of chiropractor George Goodheart, who created Applied Kinesiology in the 1960s. Goodheart found that by balancing his patients' muscles, he could provide additional healing beyond chiropractic alignment. His work built upon the research of Kendall and Kendall, two physiotherapists who described specific ways to test individual muscles for neuromusculoskeletal conditions in 1949.
Over time, different variations and techniques of muscle testing have emerged, such as Behavioural Kinesiology, developed by Dr. John Diamond, and the system of over 250 specific muscle tests created by Dr. Alan Beardall. Despite its growing popularity, muscle testing has faced scepticism and criticism, particularly regarding its effectiveness as a diagnostic tool for conditions beyond the musculoskeletal system.
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Limitations and criticism of muscle testing
Muscle testing, also known as applied kinesiology (AK) or manual muscle testing (MMT), is a non-invasive assessment tool used by various health practitioners. It was first used in the 20th century to measure muscle weakness in polio victims. Since then, it has evolved into different forms, including Applied Kinesiology, Behavioural Kinesiology, and Muscle Response Testing (MRT).
Despite its growing popularity, muscle testing has faced limitations and criticism. Here are some key points:
Limitations
- Lack of Standardization: Muscle testing is used differently by various professionals, leading to confusion about the term, its application, and interpretation of results. This variation in techniques and methodologies makes it challenging to design and interpret research evaluating the effectiveness of muscle testing.
- Limited Scientific Research: While muscle testing has gained popularity, extensive scientific studies on the topic are limited. The existing research primarily focuses on kinesiology-style muscle testing, and more research is needed to validate the effectiveness of specific muscle testing techniques.
- Subjectivity and Bias: Muscle testing relies on the practitioner's interpretation of muscle strength or weakness, which can be subjective. While some studies suggest that experienced practitioners achieve higher accuracy, the potential for bias in the interpretation of results cannot be overlooked.
- Specific Muscle Testing Techniques: While muscle testing as a broad concept has gained traction, specific techniques like MRT for lie detection have limitations. The existing studies on MRT and lie detection have design limitations, such as a lack of clarity about the practitioners involved and the absence of randomization in the order of experiments.
Criticisms
- Ineffective for Medical Diagnosis: Critics argue that muscle testing, particularly AK, is ineffective for diagnosing medical conditions beyond musculoskeletal issues. A 2001 study found that AK was no more accurate than random guessing in diagnosing allergies, and it is not recommended as a sole diagnostic tool for critical healthcare decisions.
- Lack of Scientific Basis: Some critics question the scientific basis of AK, asserting that it is not a part of the science of kinesiology, which studies human body movement. They contend that AK's underlying principles, which link muscle weakness to internal ailments, are not supported by robust scientific evidence.
- Potential for Misinterpretation: There is a risk of practitioners misinterpreting muscle testing results and attributing muscle weakness to unrelated underlying problems. For example, a weak bicep muscle in a conventional medical context might indicate a need for strength training, while an AK practitioner might link it to an issue with the spleen.
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Frequently asked questions
Muscle testing was first discovered in 1932 by R W Lovett, a Boston orthopedic surgeon, who used it to assess disabilities in patients with polio and nerve damage.
Muscle testing is used to gauge everything from general health status to specific supplement dosage. It is a simple, non-invasive assessment tool used by many health practitioners.
The basic principle of muscle testing is that when there is some stress or abnormal nervous system input to a muscle, it weakens. Muscles are tested for strength and weakness to diagnose illness or choose treatment.
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, or kinesiology, has grown in popularity over the last 30 years. Kinesiology is defined as the study of the mechanics of body movements, with a focus on anatomy and how muscles and joints are involved in various types of movement.
