History

Kinesiology is a method of manual muscle testing to diagnose 'imbalances' in the body that draws on principles of traditional Chinese medicine. According to kinesiologists, muscles, organs and glands are connected by a network of pathways that include the nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems as well as the meridians used by acupuncturists.

Disease is said to result when 'energy channels' are 'blocked' or 'imbalanced'. Injury, illness, or a 'toxic overload' (caused by environmental pollution or a diet high in refined and processed foods) are thought to disrupt a particular pathway and 'turn off' an associated muscle. According to kinesiology, certain muscles relate to corresponding body systems and the strength or weakness of a muscle indicates not only the condition of that system but the total structural, (bio)chemical and mental health of the individual.

Practitioners use gentle touch and massage techniques to restore balance so that the body's natural healing processes can be implemented. Many are also practitioners of other therapies, such as homeopathy and nutritional therapy, and will make use of these approaches too.

There are about 50 forms of kinesiology, but all use the basic muscle testing principle. Applied kinesiology, practised by osteopaths, chiropractors, nutritionists, dentists and some doctors, was developed by Dr George Goodheart, an American chiropractor, and emphasises the correction of muscle problems rather than releasing 'energy blockages'.

Other methods include health kinesiology, which aims to balance the meridian system before using muscle testing for diagnosis, and Touch for Health, which teaches self-help techniques to help lay people 'balance energy', rather than diagnosing or treating symptoms.

History of Touch for Health Kinesiology

In the 1960’s a Detroit Chiropractor, Dr. Goodheart, began combining acupuncture theory with a variety of western discoveries that involved touch reflexes and muscle testing. He discovered that there was a relationship not only between meridians and major organs but also muscles. He called his system Applied Kinesiology. Today it is taught exclusively to M.D.’s and Chiropractors.
One of Dr. Goodheart’s earliest students, Dr. John Thie, saw it's potential and developed a simpler system for lay people. He called it Touch For Health (TFH). Dr. Thie’s goal was to empower anyone interested in self care to be able to use these simple techniques to help themselves, their family and friends.

Today TFH is taught in over 50 countries and the Touch For Health manual has been translated into over 20 languages. TFH is a very effective system for stress and pain reduction. TFH uses muscle testing to determine imbalances in the acupuncture system. Muscle testing is both an art and a science. It is a skill that takes practice to refine and perfect. Kinesiology looks beyond symptoms and does not diagnose, treat or prescribe named diseases. Through manual muscle testing, kinesiologists can identify the exact nature of blockages in the energy flow. Muscle testing allows one to identify stressors to the body/mind through accessing the body’s wisdom with a kind of body biofeedback. Once imbalances are identified then a variety of techniques can be used to release energy blockages and allow the body’s innate healing processes to heal itself .
While Touch for Health was originally designed with the lay person in mind, many health professionals have found it to be a wonderful complementary approach to enhance their practice. One of its practical features is that it offers a systematic approach to balancing the body. Some people have learned muscle testing as an assessment tool, but no techniques for corrections. Others study lots of techniques with no coherent protocol for implementing them. Touch for Health teaches both quality muscle testing and a step by step procedure to address balancing the full meridian system to enhance the health and well being of the whole person.
Just what kinds of health challenges can kinesiology be effective with?
The list is endless. All kinds of conditions, both chronic and acute, have responded to these natural methods. Physical pain such as headaches, backaches, strains, sprains, menstrual cramps, nausea, TMJ, toothaches, and repetitive strain injuries are a few of the many body issues that have been helped quite effectively. Other kinds of physical conditions like insomnia and jet lag respond quite well to this approach. Mental performance can be dramatically improved as these techniques enhance neurological functioning. It is commonplace to see people with reading difficulties be helped in a matter of minutes once key reflex techniques are taught to them. Kinesiology is also very effective in releasing fears, phobias, unconscious sabotage programs and emotional trauma.