Applied Kinesiology - the Body as a
Bio-feedback Mechanism.What is Applied Kinesiology (AK)
Applied Kinesiology is an alternative therapy developed by Dr. George Goodheart who adapted concepts of both Western and Eastern healing philosophies.
My purpose here
is to provide some background information to the amazing Brain Gym Exercises that I recommend you include in your daily health and happiness routine. There are around 15 Kinesiology disciplines including Touch for Health(TFH) and Educational Kinesiology with which I am most familiar having trained and practised in both of them.
AK is based around the Traditional Chinese Medicine theory of the existence of energy meridians throughout the body.
AK uses touch and massage of the acupuncture and neuro-lymphatic points along these meridians to harmonise and 'balance' the body.
Hence an AK treatment is often termed a 'balance.'
Applied Kinesiology acknowledges the interplay of mind, body and spirit. For example a perceived 'deficit' at the emotional level will have a knock-on effect on the body's biochemisty and in turn lead to tension of the muscles of the body, both internal and external.
Such imbalance gives rise over time to signs and symptoms of disease.
The purpose of an AK or Touch for Health balance is not to 'diagnose.' but to provide a wholistic therapy to allow the innate healing powers of the body to restore balance and harmony.
Through the practice of something called 'muscle testing or muscle monitoring' (very misleading terms) the body provides its own bio-feedback. Using this bio-feedback the body then 'self-adjusts' in response to the stimuli applied by the Kinesiologist or the 'client' themself.
To view muscle testing in action check out the 5-minute Donna Eden video on my Brain Gym Exercises page.
What AK Can Do for YOU!AK needs no tools, it is a touch therapy. My colleagues became used to my alternative ways. In my work I used Applied Kinesiology effectively to:
- de-stress staff (including headtteachers) during OFSTED school inspections
- promote speech development in a child aged 10 with severe verbal dyspraxia
- develop co-ordination skills with children with special needs
- to improve developmental and self-help skills for children on the autistic spectrum
And with family and friends:
alleviate sciatic pain (it never returned after one treatment)
lessen pain at the site of injuries
deal immediately with the emotional effects of shock
release emotions related to past shock and trauma
helped them pass driving tests and exams by carrying out a 'goal balance'
alleviate symptoms of chesty coughs
relieve stomach upsets - it's very much our first response to stomach niggles
relax and calm them - It's really great to see this technique passed down by three of my grandchildren, who do it for each other
The list is endless. Most of what we learn becomes an unconcscious part of what we do. That is true of Kinesiology and it is now an intrinsic part of who I am since it showed me that so much more is possible than we can ever know.
If you are familiar with reflexology, I personally liken it to that. The difference is that the Applied Kinesiology therapist will use an 'indicator muscle' test to target the specific balance work that the body requires at that time.
(Also I know of very few reflexologists who treat themselves, but with applied kinesiology this is possible. I use it often for myself.)
This 'indicator muscle test' may be likened to a computer binary system (on/off) or a volt-meter that has 2 basic settings (Yes/No). The outcome of a test will be referred to as strong, or weak. This is simply a way of testing the integrity of an
energy circuit in the body and in itself is neither good nor bad.
However this terminology does give cause for misunderstanding of the system. In practise it is very much an interaction between client and therapist.
How Kinesiology Found Me.
I accompanied a close friend to a mind, body and spirit exhibition. She went for a massage treatment and instead of wandering round the exhibition for 15 minutes I decided to have a trial
session of this alternative therapy I had not heard of before.
The Therapist asked if I would prefer a 'body balance' or a 'food sensitivity test.' I was non-plussed either way so I left it to her. She asked me no questions other than to hold my arm out in front of me as I lay on the treatment couch.
She carried out what I came to know as the 'indicator muscle tests.' She chose to do the food sensitivity test. At the end of a perfectly peaceful and relaxing 15 minutes she told me that my body was:
'sensitive to wheat... dairy and ...orange juice.'
She suggested that I may choose to eliminate them from my diet.
I thanked her, paid my £5 and went on my way. I gave it no more thought as it had really been just a time-filler.
However, the next day it dawned on me. I had this information. What was the point in taking no action on it. It also occcurred to me that those three things were my absolute favourite foods, and maybe my comfort foods.
Specifically - a baguette (french bread) filled with 'triangle' cheese spread and a glass of orange juice.
So, the very next day I stopped eating anything containing wheat, and stopped drinking orange juice:
NO bread ... NO pastry ...NO pasta
nothing containing wheat - even as a thickener.
Though I didn't give up dairy, that was just too hard to do.
The most amazing thing is that I never told the therapist anything at all. I worked at that time with very young children with disabilities so spent a great deal of time cross-legged on the floor. I had trouble getting up from the floor, due to stiffness, aches and pain in the knees and hips. I also suffered badly with
my finger joints too.
I was so impressed that I stayed off wheat and orange juice for 3 years and then gradually added it back into my diet.
Result - 6 days later I had no joint pain.
And... I trained in Applied Kinesiology through a program called Balanced Health and later with Touch for Health.
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