“The body heals itself in a sure, sensible, practical, reasonable and observable manner. ‘The Healer Within’ can be approached from without. The opportunity to use the body as an instrument of laboratory analysis is unparalleled in modern therapy; if one approaches the problem correctly, making the proper and adequate diagnosis and treatment, the response is satisfactory to both the doctor and to the patient.” Dr. George J. Goodheart, Jr., founder of Applied Kinesiology. 

Applied Kinesiology is a unique diagnostic and therapeutic system used by healthcare practitioners. This technique listens to the patient’s body and uses the patient’s own nervous system to address neurological imbalances that are specific to the patient. Applied Kinesiology uses manual muscle testing to evaluate the body’s structural, chemical and mental/emotional health. This technique is effective in finding the root cause of issues rather than merely addressing symptoms. 

 The “Triad of Health” is the foundation of Applied Kinesiology, and it consists of three basic causes of health problems: structural, chemical and mental or emotional. Applied Kinesiology utilizes the triad to assess if the patient’s complaints stem from structural issues, such as bones or muscles, from chemical imbalances, such as nutrition deficiencies or toxins, or from mental and emotional stressors. Applied Kinesiology allows the doctor to evaluate the Triad of Health’s functional balance and direct therapy toward the imbalanced area. Practitioners who are aware of the Triad of Health evaluate every patient for all three sides, thereby providing holistic care. This increases the practitioner’s ability to find the underlying cause of a patient’s health concern. 

How Applied Kinesiology Works

Applied Kinesiology starts with the practitioner applying gentle pressure to a muscle while the patient resists. The practitioner, often a chiropractor, then observes changes in muscle strength to the stimuli as an indicator of neurological or system imbalance. Each muscle in the body is correlated with a specific organ or gland, acupuncture meridian, Chapman’s reflex, Bennett’s reflex, nutritional need or cranial stress receptor to assist the practitioner in discovering which specific therapy is needed by the patient to achieve a healing response. 

Applied Kinesiology tests for nutritional deficiencies including determining how the body responds to certain foods, vitamins or supplements. This method tests for structural imbalances to identify misalignments or imbalances in bones, muscles, ligaments and other tissues. Muscle testing is also used to check for reactions to environmental toxins, allergens or chemicals; to detect imbalances in the meridians or energy pathways used in Traditional Chinese Medicine; and to test for emotional issues and blockages stored in the body. 

Whether the diagnosis is nervous system imbalances, allergies, nutritional deficiencies, musculoskeletal pain or an interconnected issue, muscle testing can be used to investigate underlying causes of symptoms. 

The treatments may involve specific joint manipulation or chiropractic adjustments, myofascial therapies, cranial techniques, acupuncture, nutrition consultation, supplements, dietary management, counseling or evaluating environmental irritants.

Look for healthcare professionals that practice Applied Kinesiology to experience a holistic approach to care that considers your whole body, lifestyle, history and potential interconnected issues. 

Dr. Sean Olenek is a Chiropractor, certified in the state of Florida to practice Acupuncture, and is also an adjunct professor at Everglades University’s Alternative Medicine Department. His mission is to restore health through natural methods, allowing individuals to attain lasting results with resolution of conditions.