ICAK Overview of Applied Kinesiology:
Applied kinesiology can determine health imbalances in the
body’s organs and glands by identifying weaknesses in specific muscles.
Stimulating and relaxing key muscles help in the diagnosis of variety of health
problems.
Description:
Applied kinesiology is the study of muscles and the relationship
of muscle strength to health. This alternative medicine technique relies on the
idea that muscles can be stuck (turned) “on” or stuck (turned) “off.” A stuck
‘on’ muscle acts like a tense muscle spasm (‘charlie horse’), whereas a stuck
‘off’ muscle appears flaccid.
Applied kinesiology is a relatively new alternative medicine
field of study, diagnosis, and treatment. George Goodheart, D.C., of
Applied kinesiology recognizes the existence of “strong” and
“weak” muscles. Weak muscles exhibit as much actual force as normal muscles.
According to Dr. Blaich, weak muscles often have delayed reactions to stimuli.
Studies suggest the difference between weak and strong muscles lies in the
timing of electrical activity in the muscle. Muscles become weak due to
immobility (i.e. cast), lack of exercise, poor posture, gland or organ
dysfunction, or injury.
A weak muscle can lead to misaligned or inflamed bones, signs of
premature wear and tear, as well as symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Applied kinesiology also treats and diagnoses athletic ailments
and injuries in sports. It improves muscle interaction and stabilization.
* Restore normal nerve function.
* Achieve normal endocrine, immune, digestive, and other
internal organ functions.
* Intervene early in degenerative processes to prevent or delay
pathological conditions.
* Restore postural balance, correct gait impairment, improve
range of motion.
* Dysfunction of nerve supply (nerve interference between spine
and muscles).
* Impairment of lymphatic drainage.
* Reduced blood supply.
* Abnormal pressure in cerebrospinal fluid affecting
nerve-to-muscle relationship.
* Blockage of acupuncture meridian.
* Chemical imbalance.
* Organ or gland dysfunction.
Method:
It is very easy to explore the technique of applied kinesiology
when a comparison is made between the ways conventional (western) medicine
would treat asthma and the way in which applied kinesiology (a branch of
eastern/alternative medicine) treats asthma. Conventional medicine uses adrenal
hormones or their derivatives to treat asthma, and it considers asthma strictly
a problem related to the lungs. An applied kinesiologist, on the other hand,
looks for weaknesses in specific low back and leg muscles that share a
connection with the adrenal glands. A kinesiologist strengthens these muscles
and helps the adrenal glands produce bronchodilators (chemicals that relax or
open air passages in the lungs).
In diagnosis, an applied kinesiologist determines whether
muscles are ‘on’ or ‘off’ as they should be during normal activity. Muscle
dysfunction is corrected through the use of various reflexes or by performing
manual procedure on the muscle-deep massage, goading pressure on attachment
points, or realignment. An applied kinesiologist needs to stimulate nerve and
blood supply, as well as lymphatic drainage and acupuncture energy to lungs for
them to clear.
One way to identify nutritional substances of value to this
specific ailment is to test a patient’s weak deltoid muscle while putting a
substance on his tongue to stimulate nerve endings, which, in turn, trigger
certain areas in the brain to make changes in the body. If the correct nutrient
is applied, there should be immediate strengthening of the deltoid muscle.
Application:
Massage therapists rave about the results of massage combined
with some of the principles of kinesiology, namely muscular manipulation.
Sometimes kinesiologists find that subluxations of the spinal column can cause
muscles to be misaligned as well. Therefore, kinesiologists often rely on some
of the methods and concepts expressed in chiropractic, including spinal
manipulation so that “turned off” muscles can be “turned on.” Applied
kinesiologists may also utilize the galvanic skin response (GSR) to test for
muscle tension.
Modern
medicine’s perspective:
Recent research has demonstrated a neurological difference
between “strong” and “weak” muscles, as identified through applied kinesiology
testing. Applied kinesiology is very popular with the Chiropractic profession.
Because the deltoid muscle (in the shoulder) shares a relationship to the
lungs, a muscle test can be an indicator of the state of the lungs and can
serve as a monitor of their condition.
Applied kinesiology is utilized in modern sports rehabilitation
programs to prevent injury and to improve athletic performance. The
muscle-organ link can be helpful in identifying “rate limiting factors,” or
“weak links” in the performance of top athletes.
Case
Studies:
#1: A music conductor had severe pains in his shoulder
inhibiting his ability to conduct. Dr. Blaich evaluated the patient’s shoulder
area and determined the problem to be a specific muscle, the pectoralis major.
He reset the muscle by correcting a cranial fault (minute manipulation of bones
in the head). The problem recurred and Blaich determined that the problem was
caused by none other than eating wheat! The patient was found to have a gluten
allergy, so he avoided eating wheat and no longer suffered from shoulder pain.
#2: In 1983 and 1984, Dr. Blaich identified an adrenal weakness
accompanying other structural and chemical imbalances in a bicyclist, Alexi
Grewal. Alexi is a talented young athlete with a history of asthma. Dr. Blaich
improved Alexi’s adrenal gland and diaphragm muscle function and structural
performance. Alexi’s health and performance improved enough to win the gold
medal in the 1984 Olympics.
Links &
Resources:
International College of Applied Kinesiology,
Commonly treated conditions:
* Neck and low back pains
* Whiplash
* Sciatica
* Frozen shoulder
* Carpal tunnel syndrome
* Osteoarthritis
* Arthritis
* Rheumatoid arthritis
* Sports injuries
* Tennis elbow
* Heel spurs
* Wound healing
* Intermittent claudication (pain on walking)
* Restless legs
* Cramps
* Aching varicose veins
* Palpitations
* High blood pressure
* Migraine and other headaches
* Trigeminal neuralgia and other face pains
* Bell’s palsy (face paralysis)
* Anxiety
* Depression
* Fears
* Claustrophobia
* Meniere’s disorder
* Neuralgia
* Travel sickness
* Tiredness
* Phantom limb pain
* Paralysis of leg or arm persisting after a stroke (cerebral
thrombosis)
* Tinnitus
* Tired eyes
* Retinitis pigmentosa
* Pterygium Retinitis
* Constipation
* Colitis or other bowel inflammations
* Ulcers
* Diarrhea
* Obesity
* Hay fever
* Rhinitis
* Sinusitis
* Asthma
* Bronchitis
* Emphysema
* Cystitis especially in the elderly
* Early prostate enlargement
* Non-specific urethritis
* Bed-wetting
* Menstruation pains
* Pelvic pains
* Menopausal flushes
* Painful nodular breasts
* Endometriosis
* Preparation for childbirth
* Irregular menstrual activity
* Vaginal pain
* Post herpetic (shingles)
* Impotence
* Pain after operations
* Painful prominent scars
* Wrinkles/bagginess of face
* Acne
* Psoriasis
* Boils
* Eczema
* Excessive perspiration
* Hemorrhoids
* Canker sores
* Itch
* Recurring tonsillitis
* Persisting weakness after a severe illness
* Smoking
* Infertility