Applied kinesiology, sometimes shortened to ‘AK’, is a practice which is used to determine the cause of illnesses, muscle or joint pain, and other physical or mental ailments. Kinesiologists believe that some illnesses can be caused by an energy imbalance within the body’s structural, emotional, chemical, or mental spheres, and these imbalances can be corrected through diagnosis and treatment.
Definition
Applied kinesiology uses a controversial testing process (a combination of joint manipulation and mobilization) which apparently determines the strength and ‘smoothness’ of muscle feedback, and the origin of any energy imbalances. Beginning with Dr. George J. Goodheart’s ‘Muscles: Testing and Function’ 1964 publication, applied kinesiology has been taken up by many different sorts of practitioners, from chiropractors to alternative healers to GPs.
Applied kinesiology revolves around the concept of muscle monitoring through manual testing. An example would be the ‘arm-pull-down’ test, known by practitioners as the Delta Test. This process involves the patient lying on their back with one arm raised. The practitioner will attempt to push down on the arm, with the instruction that the patient should do their best to resist the force. The practitioner will determine through feeling the muscle movement whether the muscle in the arm is ‘on-line’ (sometimes referred to as ‘strong’ or ‘smooth’).
If the muscle is deemed to be ineffective, it will be referred to as an ‘inappropriate’ or ‘weak’ response. The practitioner will then use a series of muscle movements and manipulations (combined with other nutritional and myofascial, cranial and meridian therapies) to correct the ‘inappropriate’ response.