Applied Kinesiology
Kinesiology ( kih-nee'-see-awl'-oh-jee) is defined by Merriam-Webster as the study of the principles of mechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement. Simply, it is the study of how the body moves and how your muscles pull your bones. Applied Kinesiology draws on many of the same principles creating a powerful system of diagnosing a condition, which utilizes the art and science of muscle testing to obtain information from your body. During the 1960s, Dr. George Goodheart of Detroit, Michigan, found that he could evaluate normal and abnormal body functions using muscle testing. In other words, Dr. Goodheart discovered that your body has the capability to provide answers in order to uncover the underlying cause of a condition. The principles of muscle testing can be used to evaluate virtually any organ or system in the body, including the nervous, vascular, and lymphatic systems. Muscle testing can be used to determine nutritional needs and food sensitivities as well as any other factors that influence health. When applied kinesiology is combined with the usual methods of physical examination, an extra dimension of the person's health status is revealed. Muscle testing gives clues to the body's function. During examination, some muscles test "strong" while others test "weak." The chiropractor skilled in Applied Kinesiology recognizes that the "weakness" may not only indicate poor muscle function, but possibly a connection with organ or glandular function, or issues with the associated tissues, vascular or nervous supply, or nutritional deficiencies/toxicities. For example, a television set and a lamp plugged into the same circuit can both malfunction together. If the television has a short in it, it can overload the circuit breaker, denying power to the lamp, causing it to go out. Think of the television as being analogous to the organ. The circuit breaker is analogous to the nervous system (spinal nerve and spinal cord). The lamp is analogous to the muscle. A skilled Applied Kinesiologist can use muscle testing and relationships like those between muscles and organs to aid in diagnosis and treatment. In addition to evaluating muscle weakness, the trained Applied Kinesiologist is able to identify muscle imbalances. There is a dynamic tension in the musculoskeletal system; skeletal balance is maintained by opposing muscles. If a muscle is weaker than the one opposing it, the opposing muscle becomes tight and an imbalance is created. Muscle imbalance can cause structural strain, resulting in muscle spasm, joint pain, poor sports performance, a tendency for injury, or even systemic health problems. Structural strain affects the nervous system and, in turn, affects every organ and system in the body. The opposing muscle becomes painful and spasmodic. So which side is the problem? Many therapeutic efforts are directed at the symptomatic side, which is merely a result of the problem. The reality is that the problem is often the weak opposing muscle, and until the weakness is corrected, efforts to reduce the spasm in the symptomatic muscle will not be effective. The doctor trained in Applied Kinesiology is able to correct such weakness and imbalance. A diagnosis obtained using Applied Kinesiology allows the doctor to Work with the nervous, lymphatic, and vascular systems, in addition to meridian and nutritional therapies to provide a holistic approach to healthcare. Applied Kinesiology IS:
Triad of Health When maintaining or restoring health, there are three major components that need to be addressed: structure, chemical, and mental (or spiritual). Together, these three components represent an overall picture of your state of health. This is a fundamental concept of Applied Kinesiology.
All three components of the Triad interact with each other. Therefore, when there is a strain in one of the components, the other are adversely affected. However, when all three are balanced, good health can be achieved. Where many traditional chiropractors only focus on the structural component, it is through the Triad of Health, and Applied Kinesiology that Dr. Gordon has the ability to treat the total person, not just a symptom or part. |