Applied Kinesiology

Manual Muscle Testing
Applied Kinesiology is the study of how muscle balance affects and reflects an individual's health. The manual testing of muscle function allows us to determine the state of the nervous system as it affects those muscles, and possibly also how it may affect the organs related to those nerve plexuses. It is performed by the practitioner placing an arm or leg in a specific isolated position, and pushing in a certain direction. A properly functioning muscle can resist the pressure and 'lock,' while a problem muscle will 'stutter' and collapse.

Restoring Nerve Function
We aren’t really testing the strength of the muscle, but rather its function, its ability to lock. For example, if a lamp isn’t producing enough light, we can replace the bulb with a higher-wattage one, which is analogous to exercising a muscle. But if there is a short in the wiring, no amount of watts (or exercise) will resolve the problem. The circuitry needs to be restored. Acupuncture provides a very effective technique for restoring proper nerve function.

Structural Problems
Many structural problems, including pains in the neck, back and joints, may be caused by or aggravated by muscle imbalances. The muscles hold the body in place and, when balanced, allow it to remain strong and supple. When a muscle begins to malfunction, it sets off a chain reaction with all the muscles that interact with it. For example, if the latissimus muscle (also referred to as the ‘shoulder-holder-downer’ muscle) is weak, its opposing muscle, the upper trapezious, will tend to tighten, as it’s no longer being properly controlled. This can lead to pain in the shoulder or neck, or headaches. Massage or ultrasound to the upper trap may temporarily relax it, but permanent relief may require attention to the latissimus as well.

Saloon Door
Imagine a saloon door on a hinge, with springs on both sides. If the spring on one side has stretched out, the door will pull to the other side. In the body, this is the side that will hurt, but it’s not necessarily the cause of the problem. It’s often the silent weak muscle that sets up the trouble. This muscle must be ‘turned on’ for the condition to stabilize. This same dynamic occurs around joints, where a muscle imbalance creates increasing amounts of stress on the joint every time it’s used, until the joint becomes damaged and inflamed.

Long-term Relief
Conversely, if muscles aren’t functioning properly, we can often trace the problem back to a derelict nerve plexus, which in turn may be hampering the function of an organ it’s supposed to be regulating. With Acupuncture treatment, these nerves can be improved so that both the muscles and the organs benefit. In practice, we find that by balancing the muscles, once an injured area heals, it’s more likely to stay healed and less likely to become re-aggravated or re-injured. It helps us to deliver long-term relief and stability.