Kinesiology is a complex science of human movement which is divided into two very different streams of study and practice – scientific (academic) kinesiology and applied kinesiology.
Different Branches
Although the two areas share the same name, they could not be more different from one another – scientific kinesiology is intended to further the medical and scientific understanding of human movement; whilst applied kinesiology is an alternative therapy used to diagnose and treat energy imbalances within (or exhibited by) muscles in the body.
Both areas of kinesiology have faced their fair share of criticism, and both have only been around in their present forms for mere decades. If you are considering undertaking a course of applied kinesiology therapy, or you are interested in beginning a career as a kinesiologist, it is important to be sure about which area of the field you are specifically interested in.