Applied Kinesiology

Applied Kinesiology

Kinesiology ( kih-nee'-see-awl'-oh-jee) is defined by Merriam-Webster as the study of the principles of mechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement. Simply, it is the study of how the body moves and how your muscles pull your bones. Applied Kinesiology draws on many of the same principles creating a powerful system of diagnosing a condition, which utilizes the art and science of muscle testing to obtain information from your body.

During the 1960s, Dr. George Goodheart of Detroit, Michigan, found that he could evaluate normal and abnormal body functions using muscle testing. In other words, Dr. Goodheart discovered that your body has the capability to provide answers in order to uncover the underlying cause of a condition. The principles of muscle testing can be used to evaluate virtually any organ or system in the body, including the nervous, vascular, and lymphatic systems. Muscle testing can be used to determine nutritional needs and food sensitivities as well as any other factors that influence health. When applied kinesiology is combined with the usual methods of physical examination, an extra dimension of the person's health status is revealed.

Muscle testing gives clues to the body's function. During examination, some muscles test "strong" while others test "weak." The chiropractor skilled in Applied Kinesiology recognizes that the "weakness" may not only indicate poor muscle function, but possibly a connection with organ or glandular function, or issues with the associated tissues, vascular or nervous supply, or nutritional deficiencies/toxicities. For example, a television set and a lamp plugged into the same circuit can both malfunction together. If the television has a short in it, it can overload the circuit breaker, denying power to the lamp, causing it to go out. Think of the television as being analogous to the organ. The circuit breaker is analogous to the nervous system (spinal nerve and spinal cord). The lamp is analogous to the muscle. A skilled Applied Kinesiologist can use muscle testing and relationships like those between muscles and organs to aid in diagnosis and treatment.

In addition to evaluating muscle weakness, the trained Applied Kinesiologist is able to identify muscle imbalances. There is a dynamic tension in the musculoskeletal system; skeletal balance is maintained by opposing muscles. If a muscle is weaker than the one opposing it, the opposing muscle becomes tight and an imbalance is created. Muscle imbalance can cause structural strain, resulting in muscle spasm, joint pain, poor sports performance, a tendency for injury, or even systemic health problems. Structural strain affects the nervous system and, in turn, affects every organ and system in the body. The opposing muscle becomes painful and spasmodic. So which side is the problem? Many therapeutic efforts are directed at the symptomatic side, which is merely a result of the problem. The reality is that the problem is often the weak opposing muscle, and until the weakness is corrected, efforts to reduce the spasm in the symptomatic muscle will not be effective. The doctor trained in Applied Kinesiology is able to correct such weakness and imbalance.

A diagnosis obtained using Applied Kinesiology allows the doctor to Work with the nervous, lymphatic, and vascular systems, in addition to meridian and nutritional therapies to provide a holistic approach to healthcare.

Applied Kinesiology IS:

  • A diagnostic tool using muscle testing as a functional neurological evaluation to augment the more traditional examination procedures.
  • A diagnostic tool that uses the neuromuscular system and other measurable parameters to aid in evaluating what is wrong and what to do for a patient.
  • An applied kinesiology examination requires knowledge of functional neurology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and biochemistry and is combined with standard physical examination procedures, laboratory findings, and history taking. X-rays will be ordered on an as needed basis.
  • A wonderful technique that gives us the ability to analyze in depth structural and chemical imbalances, which are the base of most patient's problems.
  • Based on chiropractic principles and requires manipulation of the spine, extremities and cranial bones as the structural basis of its procedures.
  • Scientific

inc_applied_kin_clip_image001.jpg Applied Kinesiology IS NOT:

  • A simple yes/no or pendulum type of testing system.
  • Testing using mental telepathy.
  • A simplistic, cookie cutter approach to treatment
  • Touch for health or any of the other forms of evaluation using muscle testing as a simple yes/no answer system.

Triad of Health

When maintaining or restoring health, there are three major components that need to be addressed: structure, chemical, and mental (or spiritual). Together, these three components represent an overall picture of your state of health. This is a fundamental concept of Applied Kinesiology.

kins_1.jpg Structure is the foundation of the human body, as well as the base of the triad. It includes muscles, bones, nerves, ligaments, tendons, and joints. These areas are traditionally treated by chiropractors, orthopedists, massage therapists, and physical therapists. For over a century, chiropractors have been evaluating and treating structural misalignments, and are the leading health profession to address this aspect of health today. Through adjustments and muscle work, Dr. Gordon is able to restore your optimum structural health.

kins_2.jpg Chemical: This side of the triangle relates to the chemical make up of your body. Historically, this side of the triangle has been dominated by the medical and pharmaceutical professions. Recently, there has been an increased interest in this side of the triangle by nutritionists, chiropractors, and health food providers. Diet, vitamins and minerals, drug therapies, organ function, environmental factors, and hormone balance are all aspects of your chemical make up. Everything the body does involves a chemical reaction. Digestion, pain, movement of muscles, signals from the nervous system, production of energy and even thought all are chemical reactions. Food, vitamins and minerals provide the body with the raw materials for these chemical reactions. Poor nutrition, digestion and absorption of food can create chemical imbalances and even disease. Informed use of vitamins, minerals and other nutritional products can balance the body's chemistry restoring health and preventing disease. Dr. Gordon is able to make recommendations, including dietary changes and supplements to restore your optimum chemical health.

kins_3.jpg Mental: Did you know that not only can a person's health affect their mental attitude, but a person's mental attitude affects their health? Mental stresses create hormonal changes, adversely affect the immune system, increases blood pressure and heart rate, uses up vitamins, and cause minerals to be excreted. In fact, research has shown that many psychiatric conditions are the direct result of a physiologic cause. Through the use of Applied Kinesiology techniques, Dr. Gordon is able to evaluate the effect of your emotions on your body. And, with the use of NET, Dr. Gordon is able to break the cycle so these emotions no longer have a negative effect on your system.

All three components of the Triad interact with each other. Therefore, when there is a strain in one of the components, the other are adversely affected. However, when all three are balanced, good health can be achieved. Where many traditional chiropractors only focus on the structural component, it is through the Triad of Health, and Applied Kinesiology that Dr. Gordon has the ability to treat the total person, not just a symptom or part.

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