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Applied KinesiologyThere is no evidence that such relationships exist, and even practitioners of applied kinesiology say the technique should be used in conjunction with "other standard diagnostic methods." They recommend it for a variety of muscle problems, for treatment of temporomandibular joint (jaw) disorders, and for diagnosis of various nutritional deficiencies and food allergies. Mainstream physicians dismiss it completely, saying it plays "no role in scientific health care." Each applied kinesiologist has his own style, but most practitioners are likely to begin with an analysis of your posture, gait, and range of joint motion. The session is likely to include tests to see whether various muscles can hold a given position against manual pressure from the practitioner. A muscle that can do so is considered "fixed," "strong," or "locked." A muscle that gives way immediately is considered "weak" or "unlocked." The practitioner may also ask you to touch certain areas of your body while he repeats the muscle test. This is believed to help isolate the source of your trouble. To evaluate nutritional deficiencies, he may assess muscle strength while touching various points along the acupuncture meridians (the pathways along which, according to traditional Chinese medicine, the life force is believed to flow). Some practitioners also test nutrients by placing them on the tongue for 10 to 20 seconds at a time. (If a taste of the substance strengthens a weak muscle, you are said to have a deficiency.) Alternatively, you might be told to hold a box containing capsules of the nutrient against your abdomen. Treatments vary according to the diagnosis, but may include deep massage, joint manipulation and realignment, cranial therapy (supposed adjustment of the bones that, fused together, make up the skull), meridian therapy, nutritional therapy, and diet management. Applied kinesiology is a relatively recent outgrowth of chiropractic. It was devised in the 1960s by George J. Goodheart, Jr., a chiropractor who focused on muscular dysfunction rather than joint abnormalities. Its goals, as set forth by the International College of Applied Kinesiology, are to:
Although weakness in a specific muscle is said to be a clue to possible problems in its associated organ or gland; practitioners do not claim that the results are diagnostically definitive. They say that improper performance in a manual muscle test may be due to nerve dysfunction, nutritional inadequacy, toxic chemicals, abnormal circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord, tension in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, poor circulation of blood or lymph fluid, or "meridian system imbalance." Likewise, the International College of Applied Kinesiology warns that muscle testing alone is not sufficient for determining a person's nutritional needs. Indeed, there is no known physiological mechanism that explains how evaluation of muscles could reveal nutritional status, or how a brief exposure to a nutrient could correct a deficiency severe enough to cause muscle weakness. (Some practitioners have theorized that nutrient deficiencies disrupt the flow of energy within the body, and that the energy emanating from nutrients held in the mouth or against the abdomen can reestablish the flow and restore muscle function.) Attempts to verify the effectiveness of applied kinesiology through scientific testing have met with scant success. One recent review in a chiropractic journal found little favorable clinical research in support of the technique. Another critique of 20 reports published by the International College of Applied Kinesiology found that none excluded the possibility that the results were simply due to chance. Comparisons between applied kinesiology and other diagnostic techniques have also fared poorly. A study that evaluated the thyroid function of 65 people using standard methods and applied kinesiology techniques concluded that a doctor using clinical and laboratory observations has the greatest assurance of a correct diagnosis, and that applied kinesiology enhanced but did not replace standard diagnosis of thyroid function. In another study, diagnosis of nutritional deficiencies by three applied kinesiologists proved no more accurate than random guessing. The practitioners agreed with each other in only 12 of 44 instances. There are no medical conditions that preclude the use of applied kinesiology. Remember, however, that it should be used only as an adjunct to conventional diagnosis and treatment, and that the practitioner should have substantial medical training. No major side effects are likely. The discipline's professional society, the International College of Applied Kinesiology, suggests using only a health care professional licensed to diagnose medical problems, such as an MD, DO, or chiropractor. It warns that others who use applied kinesiology techniques lack the expertise to properly perform examinations and interpret findings. To be considered a bona fide applied kinesiologist, a doctor or chiropractor must complete 100 hours of training from a teacher certified by the College and must pass the College's exam. Certified teachers, in turn, must log at least 300 hours of study under another certified teacher, complete 5,000 hours of practical experience, write two research papers per year, and pass written and practical examinations. Because the effectiveness of this technique is considered doubtful by the majority of medical experts, don't hesitate to seek an alternative form of therapy if immediate improvement fails to appear. There is a very real possibility of misdiagnosis if you rely solely on applied kinesiology. Your wisest course is to get a second opinion from a standard physician, no matter what your applied kinesiology practitioner may recommend. |