 | Applied kinesiology: Encyclopedia - Applied kinesiology
Applied kinesiology
Applied kinesiology (AK) is a form of diagnostic kinesiology. It is a method used to give feedback on the physical properties of the body. Proponents say that when properly applied, the outcome of an AK test, such as a muscle strength test, will determine the best form of therapy for patients. This claim has been refuted by scientists.
Applied Kinesiology is distinct from academic kinesiology, which is the study of human movement and its application. Academic kinesiology is widely considered a legitimate science. Applied Kinesiology is considered an application of academic kinesiology by some, mostly chiropractors, and a pseudoscience by mainstream scientists, including the National Library of Medicine.
Since AK seeks to draw together the core elements of many complementary therapies, it provides an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to health care. George J. Goodheart, D.C., a chiropractor, originated AK in 1964. Subsequently, its use spread to other chiropractors and a few medical doctors. In 1976, the International College of Applied Kinesiology was founded. Studies from ICAK have been shown to have "no valid conclusions." [1]
Applied kinesiology - Basic applied kinesiology
AK tests muscles as a diagnostic method. Commonly, AK patients lie down and raise their dominant arm. Next, the AK practitioner instructs the patient to resist as the tester exerts downward force on the subject's arm. The tester subjectively evaluates the force exerted by the subject to determine the strength of the muscle. This is supposed to give a baseline for further testing.
For example, the tester might repeat the test with a particular substance under the subject's tongue; if the muscle tests weaker than the first test, that substance is determined to be harmful. The tester may also have the subject touch a particular body part with the opposite hand. For example, to "localize" testing to the heart, the subject would place a hand over the heart. A strong arm muscle test suggests a healthy heart, while a weak test suggests a problem.
Instead of sublingual testing, some practitioners have the subject simply hold a substance or place the substance near a particular organ. Some AK practitioners go as far as to hold a sealed container of the substance to be tested on the forehead, chest, etc. and then perform the strength test. Another commonly used technique in AK is to have the subject wear colored glasses (blue, green, red, etc.) and perform the strength testing while wearing each color of glasses. The color that causes the greatest (or least) perceived strength gains are believed to reveal information about the subject's condition.
Because nearly all AK tests are subjective, many regard the practice with skepticism. The AK practitioner performing the test applies pressure opposite the patient, but this practitioner is also the one who decides whether one push is stronger than another. Without an objective method of measuring strength, applied kinesiology will likely remain in the realm of pseudoscience.
Applied kinesiology - Conventional view of AK
Practitioners of conventional medicine tend to consider AK to have no scientific validity. For example, Stephen Barrett, M.D. argues that muscle testing cannot distinguish a test substance from a placebo under double-blind conditions.
Applied kinesiology - Notable practitioners and theorists
- George J. Goodheart
- David R Hawkins
 Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Applied kinesiology", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki |
