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Applied Kinesiology
ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
© 1999 John D. Andre, D.C.
WHAT IS APPLIED KINESIOLOGY (AK)?
Applied Kinesiology, known as AK, is an organized body of knowledge which is used mainly as an adjunct diagnostic technique in the analysis of the patient's physiological status. It relies upon the hypothesis that there is an important interrelationship between the structure and the function of the human body.
AK utilizes body language, paying special attention to the role played by the various muscle groups in their relationship to deeper body systems. It has been found that each given muscle displays, in its postural status, an accurate reflection of the state of its associated deeper circuit - and the organs and tissues to which they are connected.
It is possible to analyze (with careful and skilled manual muscle testing) - on a dynamic basis -the relative strength of specific muscles as indicators of circuit integrity. The superficial display of individual muscle weakness patterns presents a reliable opportunity for dialogue with the patient's nervous system (sometimes referred to as the body's BioComputer), in the process of the doctor "peeling the patient's onion" of stored stresses, compensations, and adaptations.
It has been found that the process involved in progressing a patient from sickness to wellness is very much like the peeling of an onion.
DOES AK REPLACE STANDARD FORMS OF DIAGNOSIS?
No.
However, most physicians who practice AK find that their abilities to communicate with and understand the patient's body are greatly enhanced, causing them to order the more expensive tests less often.
Blood tests, X-Rays, Urinalysis, Saliva Tests, Hair Analysis ElectroDiagnosis, and other tests are utilized by AK doctors. As a matter of professional diligence, special exams and tests are ordered only when needed . . . thus, keeping costs down. AK physicians take great pride in offering High-Value Health Care.
DO AK DOCTORS DO ACUPUNCTURE?
Knowledge of the Acupuncture Meridian System is fundamental to the practice of Applied Kinesiology. There are a great many ways to effectively treat an AcuPoint. Puncturing the point is but one method; at any given time, it may be indicated, or not.
HOW DO AK DOCTORS VIEW THE BODY DIFFERENTLY?
Physicians practicing Applied Kinesiology view the body as a whole - a totality - whose sum is greater than its parts. AK doctors are not aware of any "spare" parts having been put into the physiology by its most intelligent Creator. Indeed, the more knowledge one gains of the human body, the more awe-struck one tends to be in terms of the pure genius of the Creator.
AK practitioners see the body (metaphorically) as an equilateral triangle, whose three sides represent: the body's structure, the body's chemistry, and the body's mental/emotional facilities and mechanisms. This mind/body wholism truly functions as a Gestalt . . . wherein a problem in any one of these areas can and does easily get reflected into any other area.
HOW DO AK PHYSICIANS TREAT THE BODY CHEMISTRY?
AK doctors favor the most conservative approaches to patient care possible. Therefore, when appropriate, they will use herbs, vitamins, minerals, botanicals, diet modification and special nutrient therapeutic formularies. AK doctors are not against the use of drugs, just against the excessive/unnecessary use of them.
HOW DO AK DOCTORS TREAT THE BODY STRUCTURE?
In addition to the traditional attention paid to the bony structure by chiropractors and osteopaths, AK doctors pay much attention to the softer tissues, especially the muscles.
When treating a muscle that is malfunctioning, it is first necessary to determine if the muscle is hypotonic or hypertonic, under functioning or over functioning. Then it is necessary to ascertain what has caused this condition. Only then - once the actual problem has been figured out - can an appropriate therapy be applied. This may require that a reflex be rubbed, an AcuPoint to be stimulated, some support given to the body's chemistry, a bone moved in the spine or extremities, or an energy circuit to be balanced.
HOW DO AK DOCTORS TREAT THE MENTAL/EMOTIONAL AREAS?
There are a goodly number of techniques used in AK that are directly involved with the mind and emotions, some for diagnosis, some for treatment.
Importantly, AK physicians recognize that "things" in this area of life are seldom a real problem, unless something is STUCK. And, in order for anything to be stuck, it has to be stuck somewhere in the patient's physiology. It has been found that a great many seemingly MENTAL problems, are really problems being reflected from other regions in the physiology.
Then to, there are occasions when it is very necessary for the patient to have the assistance of a mental health professional. At this juncture, a referral is made, without hesitation.
WHERE DOES AK KNOWLEDGE C0ME FROM?
In the late 1960s, a chiropractic physician named Dr. George Goodhart came upon certain special knowledge about how the muscles of the body worked, and how their functioning could be affected for the better. He realized that the muscles are guy-wire like devices that help hold the various bones in their proper place. Being very concerned about the problem of redundant subluxations, he saw the possibility of helping the patients hold their adjustments - keep the bones in place after the doctor's manipulation.
Over the years, many bright physicians have been attracted to AK. And AK by its nature, tends to foster a research type of practice based upon the process of discovery.
WHAT KIND OF DOCTORS PRACTICE AK?
Originally, AK was practiced by Doctors of Chiropractic. Over time, doctors from just about every branch of the healing arts are involved in Applied Kinesiology. The eclectic nature and the healing power of the knowledge of AK has attracted some of the best minds from around the world.
WHAT IS I.C.A.K.?
I.C.A.K. is The International College of Applied Kinesiology. It is the first and foremost organization concerned with the science of Applied Kinesiology. Members from all over the world gather together yearly to share their knowledge and present the research papers they've published in The Collected Papers of The Members of The I.C.A.K. This is the main method for new knowledge to be brought to the AK doctors.
WHERE IS AK TAUGHT?
AK is taught at various Colleges and Universities as a part of healing arts curriculum; it is taught on a Graduate basis as well as on a Post-Graduate basis. Applied Kinesiology is distinct from and different than Kinesiology, a course or program frequently taught to under graduates at various Colleges and Universities.
HOW MANY DOCTORS PRACTICE AK?
It is estimated that about 40,000 doctors practice some form of muscle testing technique in the world today. However, it is estimated that only 4,500 would be rated as highly proficient.
WHY THE RAPID GROWTH OF AK?
Since its inception in 1895, the Chiropractic profession has been built by achieving successes where medical doctors failed. In the ensuing years, more and more complex patients sought chiropractic care, usually as a last resort. As a result, chiropractic physicians have been consistently on the lookout for more effective tools and techniques.
Simply put, the collection of knowledge and techniques available to the AK doctor allows for an increased success rate with even the most complex patients.
HOW IS IT THAT TOUCHING MYSELF CAN CAUSE MUSCLE WEAKNESS?
It has been known for a very long time that the inborn genius, or Innate Intelligence, can know things that the educated mind sometimes has to struggle to figure out. This can be a hunch, a gut level feeling, or just intuition.
It has been recently discovered that it is possible to have a patient touch a certain place on their body (at the appropriate time) and it can cause a muscle to go weak which was previously strong. It is actually a bit more complex than this. If a patient touches an area that is currently being a problem, it can cause a muscle on the appropriate circuit to go weak (or become strong, if it was weak). It even matters what position the fingers are in when the patient does the touching. This is called Therapy Localization. And, this advent has become a boon of major importance in terms of allowing the AK physician to dialogue with the patient's BioComputer.
WHAT DISEASES DOES AK TREAT?
AK does not treat any disease, as such. Whereas, there are certain treatment protocols which are a part of the armimentarium of Applied Kinesiology - they are concerned with the structure and the subsequent functioning of the human anatomy. Often, as problems (or faults) are fixed in the human body, disease no longer appears.
WHAT IF ANOTHER TYPE OF DOCTOR IS NEEDED?
All AK doctors are attentive to the many and varied skills available in the various healing professions. Quick and accurate referrals are made to the appropriate physician, when necessary.
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