Most Healthcare Asks One Question

Where does it hurt?

Applied Kinesiology asks additional questions.

• Why isn't this tissue recovering?
• Why does this joint keep becoming restricted?
• Why are certain muscles not functioning normally?
• Why does treatment sometimes provide only temporary relief?

Those questions lead us toward understanding function, not simply identifying symptoms.

What Is Applied Kinesiology?

Applied Kinesiology (AK) is a system of clinical evaluation developed in the 1960s by chiropractor George Goodheart Jr. It has continued to evolve through the work of the International College of Applied Kinesiology and practitioners around the world.

At its core, Applied Kinesiology is a method of identifying functional problems within the body so treatment can be directed toward the underlying cause rather than simply managing symptoms.

Rather than relying on one test or one treatment, AK brings together information from many areas of examination to better understand how the body is functioning as a whole.

A System—Not a Single Technique

One of the biggest misconceptions about Applied Kinesiology is that it is simply muscle testing.

It isn't.

Manual muscle testing is one of the primary assessment tools, but it is only one part of a much larger diagnostic process.

Depending on what your examination reveals, the evaluation may incorporate:

• Health history
• Orthopedic examination
• Neurological examination
• Postural and gait analysis
• Range of motion testing
• Manual muscle testing
• Joint biomechanics
• Cranial evaluation
• Cranial nerve assessment and rehabilitation
• Myofascial and fascial evaluation
• Active Release Techniques (ART)
• Neurovascular and neurolymphatic reflex assessment
• Nutritional considerations
• Laboratory findings, when available
• Lifestyle factors
• Emotional stressors when clinically relevant

Every piece of information contributes to a more complete understanding of why the body is functioning the way it is.

Treatment Follows the Findings

One of the principles of Applied Kinesiology is that treatment should match the findings.

That means no two patients necessarily receive the same care, even if they share the same diagnosis.

Treatment may include:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Soft tissue therapy
• Neuromuscular rehabilitation
• Corrective exercise
• Cranial techniques
• Nutritional recommendations
• Rehabilitation of movement patterns
• Lifestyle modification
• Other evidence-informed therapies appropriate for the patient's presentation

The goal is not to use every tool.

The goal is to use the right tool for the problem identified during the examination.