Applied Kinesiology

Applied kinesiology involves the art and science of muscle testing. The principles of muscle testing can be used to evaluate virtually any organ or system in the body. It can be used to find nutritional needs and food sensitivities. People evaluated with this method are often amazed that something so simple can work so well.

Muscle imbalance causes structural strain. It can result in muscle spasm, joint pain, poor sports performance, a tendency for injury, or even systemic health problems. Structural stress can affect the nervous system, affecting every organ and system in the body.

Muscles not only move bones, they hold the skeletal system in place. There is a dynamic tension in the musculoskeletal system. The muscles act like guy wires holding the bones in place. Skeletal balance is maintained by opposing muscles. If a muscle is weaker than the one opposing it, the opposing muscle becomes tight, and the skeletal structures will be out of balance.

A weak muscle can cause pain and spasm in the opposing muscle. Ironically, many therapeutic efforts are directed toward spastic muscles, which often are not the cause of the problem. For example, weak abdominal muscles will cause the pelvic to tilt and the low back muscles (which oppose them) to go into spasm. Until the weakness in the abdominal muscles is corrected, efforts to reduce the spasm in the low back will not be very effective.

The doctor trained in applied kinesiology corrects muscle weakness and muscle imbalance by working with the nervous system, the lymphatic system, the vascular system, acupuncture meridians and nutrition. This is a holistic approach designed to get to the cause of health problems.

Cranial Motion

While we think of the skull as a solid bone, it is actually several bones tightly joined together. The bones are linked by joints known as sutures, and move very slightly in a definite rhythm. Cranial motion was introduced to the osteopathic profession by William G. Sutherland, DO, in the 1920’s.

Trauma (including birth trauma), allergies, mal-occlusion of teeth and other things can affect this cranial rhythm. Problems with this mechanism can have a profound effect on the nervous system and health in general. Recent microscopic research has demonstrated that nerves from the skull and spine control the immune system right down to the cellular level.

• Occipital subluxation: headache and functional disturbances of the brain, stenosis of vertebral artery, disturbance of salivary glands and eyes, disturbance of vagus, glossopharyngeal and hypoglossal nerves, instability of cervical spine.
• Sphenoid subluxation: migraines, headaches, depression, vision problems, “brain fog,” grinding of teeth, dental malocclusion, eye pain, deviation of the eyeball, endocrine disturbances, instability of cervical spine.
• Temporal subluxation: dizziness, hearing problems, ringing in the ears, deafness.
• Parietal subluxation: evidence of head trauma.
• Nasal subluxation: disturbance of nasal secretion and nasal breathing; lacrimation.

Restoring normal cranial rhythm enables the body to function optimally. Unless the cranials are properly moving and aligned, the cervical spine will re-subluxate, no matter how often it is adjusted.