Applied kinesiology
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Applied kinesiology (AK) is a form of diagnostic kinesiology that is used as a primary feedback mechanism to examine how a person’s body is functioning. Proponents say that when properly applied, the outcome of an AK diagnosis will determine the best form of therapy for the patient. Since AK draws together the core elements of many complementary therapies, it provides an interdisciplinary approach to health care. Discovered by Dr. George J. Goodheart in 1964, it quickly expanded as other doctors continued to make discoveries of their own. Many of these discoveries were then integrated into their own named techniques. A complete list of these different forms of diagnostic kinesiology can be found at The DOK (http://www.thedok.net).
Applied Kinesiology is distinct from academic kinesiology, the field of the study of human movement and its application. Applied Kinesiology could be considered a particular area of application of academic kinesiology at large.
Criticisms
Skeptics point out that the results achieved by applied kinesiology can be easily explained by ideomotor action, and think that those who practice the methods are deluding themselves.
While careful muscle testing, with efforts to isolate the prime mover and observation to detect recruitment does give useful information about function in associated joints, crude muscle testing can confirm whatever false findings the expectation of the Dr. or subject desires. Formally designed protocols are required to analyze claims like those made by David R Hawkins, and others.
External Links
- Skeptic's Dictionary (http://skepdic.com/akinesiology.html)
- Quackwatch article (http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Tests/ak.html)
- Applied Kinesiology (http://www.level-of-consciousness.org/_kinesiology.php) protocols