Applied Kinesiology in Australia

What comprises an examination using Applied Kinesiology?

The process begins with a detailed questioning of the patient to uncover clues as to what may be going on. Generally, problems can be related to chemical imbalances, structural imbalances or mental stress or any combination of the above. After this general examination procedures are used to assess the health of the patient. For example, changes in blood pressure from lying to sitting to standing can indicate imbalances in the body. This is followed with specific examination procedures used by the practitioner. For example, in a musculoskeletal problem, skin sensitivity, knee reflex or balancing can help to uncover problems. After these tests are performed, an evaluation of the strength of the muscles is performed. There are many causes of muscular weakness and different procedures may be used to uncover the cause. At the end of all of these different but important parts, the information is correlated to establish a treatment program.

What is the education of someone doing Applied Kinesiology?

Applied Kinesiology is performed by health care professionals. First, they have their basic education is what ever field they practice. For example, they might be a medical doctor, osteopath, chiropractor or a dentist. They then study Applied Kinesiology in a post graduate setting usually in weekend classes. The basic course takes over 100 hours of classroom study and many hours of study and practice at home. A basic proficiency in Applied Kinesiology is tested for at the end of this basic class. Continuing classes are taken to reach the next step where a diplomate exam, a complete understanding as shown by a written and oral test, is taken. To attain this level, over 300 hours of classroom study are required along with the writing of at least two research papers.

Is Applied Kinesiology muscle testing?

A professional using Applied Kinesiology test muscles therefore utilizing muscle testing as a tool to confirm his/her normal examination findings. Muscle testing has been misused as a tool and oversimplified by many.

Does Applied Kinesiology replace standard examinations?

NO. Applied Kinesiology is used as a further tool to help define what is going wrong or what imbalances are present. For example, in some conditions like hypoglycemia their will be specific muscle Weakness patterns that can be found. However these same weakness could be there because of a nerve problem Only an adequate history of the person, coupled with standard examination procedures and if needed laboratory findings allow a proper treatment of the person. The use of Applied Kinesiology procedures speeds the examination process and helps to rule out other possible causes of the persons health problems.

I had someone touch a spot on me and then test a muscle. It was weak. Then I held a bottle of pills and was told I needed them. Is that Applied Kinesiology?

This is one of the abuses of muscle testing. To tell if you need to take a supplement requires knowledge of your symptoms, examination for known physical signs of imbalances, a dietary history, possibly blood analysis and then the Applied Kinesiology examination can help to determine what is missing and should be supplemented.

What exactly is Applied Kinesiology?

Applied Kinesiology can be divided into two distinct parts.

One is an aid to diagnosis. Muscle testing is used help diagnose what is functioning abnormally. This can be a problem with the nervous system, the lymphatic drainage, the vascular supply to a muscle or organ, a nutritional excess or deficiency, a problem with the cranial-sacral - TMJ mechanism, an imbalance in the meridian system or a host of other problems. Testing individual muscles in an accurate manner and determining what effects the relative strength of the muscle when combined with knowledge of the basic mechanics and physiological functioning of the body helps to more accurately diagnose what is going wrong.

The second part of Applied Kinesiology involves the treatment phase. here, Dr. Goodheart and others in the International College of Applied Kinesiology have adapted different treatment methods to the problems that have been diagnosed. From nutrition to chiropractic manipulation to osteopathic cranial techniques to acupuncture - meridian therapies to myofascial techniques to nervous system coordination procedures to some of the latest theories in medicine involving control of the vascular and nervous system may be employed to balance the malfunction found in the patient.

Applied Kinesiology borrows from many different disciplines and through the use of accurate, scientific muscle testing, in addition to the basic knowledge of the practitioner, helps direct the care to exactly what the patient's needs are instead of what the practitioner does.

Are there courses on Applied Kinesiology and who can take them?

There are organized courses in Applied Kinesiology being taught in Europe, Canada, the United States and Australia. Locations, dates and content can be found in the section on seminars. These classes are open to health care professionals.

Where is the International College of Applied Kinesiology and what is its history?

The College was founded in 1976 from a group of doctors who had been teaching classes. The purpose of the College is to promote research and teaching of Applied Kinesiology. It is composed of professionals with a common goal. There is no actual building but the organization is formed as others in the health care field to bring doctors together with common interests and goals. In the mid 1980's, the organization broke up into chapters representing Europe, Canada, Australasia and the United States.

Can anyone with minimal training do Applied Kinesiology?

No. You would no more trust a lay person to prescribe medications than to trust a non-professional to deal with your health problems. Applied Kinesiology muscle testing procedures are used to further investigate a patient's problem and depend upon a basic understanding of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and pathology. Muscle testing used alone without a proper education in the health sciences is no better than a psychic reading.

Who is George Goodheart, D. C. and what did he do?

Dr. Goodheart is the man who discovered the importance of weak muscles and their clinical implications. He started these discoveries in 1964 and has researched,lectured and written about them since. To learn more click here to jump to a page about him.

What is Touch For Health?

John Thie, an original student of Dr. Goodheart, felt that the procedures in Applied Kinesiology could be simplified for use by the general public. He wrote and organized the very basic material in Applied Kinesiology and began teaching this to anyone who was interested. Basically, Touch For Health procedures are reflex stimulation methods based on the very early work, 1964 - 1971, of Dr. Goodheart.