Applied Kinesiology

Applied kinesiology (AK) is a valuable diagnostic tool that uses muscle testing to examine how a person's body is functioning. It was first developed by Dr. George Goodheart, an American chiropractor, who discovered that when a muscle was tested, the result could reveal vital information, which was quite impossible to determine by any other method of investigation. In the last 30 years, the body of knowledge on Kinesiology has developed rapidly, and much clinical research has validated the many new discoveries. Kinesiology is renowned for being able to uncover and help the underlying causes of health problems that are difficult to find by any other means.

Applied kinesiology uses the triad of health - chemical, mental, and structural factors - to describe the proper balance of the major health categories. When a person experiences poor health, it is due to an imbalance in one or more of these three factors. Traditional medicine uses chemicals or medications to relieve pain or fix problems within the body. Very rarely do doctors take into account nutritional or physiological aspects of treating patients.

Kinesiology uses treatment options from several different therapies. It includes everything from spinal manipulation to nutritional changes for treatment. The practice uses a whole body approach for treating the body. Therapies utilized can include specific joint manipulation or mobilization, various myofascial therapies, cranial techniques, meridian therapy, clinical nutrition, dietary management, homeopathy, and various reflex procedures. In some cases, the doctor may test for environmental or food sensitivities by using a previously strong muscle to find what weakens it.

Doctors using applied kinesiology have been and continue to be important assets to professional baseball, basketball, football, hockey and soccer teams. George Goodheart was the first chiropractor named to the United States Olympic Medical Team in 1980. Since then, many other doctors in countries around the world have helped athletes in the Olympics. Doctors using applied kinesiology have a distinct advantage over other practitioners as they have specific diagnostic tools to determine the best therapy for the injured athlete. These tools range from specific muscle treatments designed to normalize muscle activity to treatments designed to aid other damaged tissues like skin, ligaments, tendons and joints.

The advantage of applied kinesiology lies in the fact that the doctor can look at the reason for the problem development and thus achieve a fast and stable result.

Our Applied Kinesiology Practitioners
Shannon Weeks, ND