Kinesiology

Kinesiology is defined as the science dealing with the interrelationship of the physiological processes and anatomy of the human body with respect to movement. Applied Kinesiology, on the other hand, takes that abstract scientific knowledge and applies it to the health and wellbeing of a patient under the massage therapists’ care. Developed in 1964 by Dr. George Goodheart, Applied Kinesiology draws upon some of the most ancient and lasting knowledge in the world; ancient Chinese medical practices such as acupuncture, acupressure or massage, and traditional medicines. The entire basis of Goodheart’s Applied Kinesiology theory is the interrelation of muscles to organs in the human body.

Afflictions of certain organs weakened their corresponding muscles, Goodheart noticed. By strengthening the related muscle, he theorized, the complimenting organ would be strengthened as well. The Applied Kinesiology system developed an approach that was both diagnostic and therapeutic at the same time; manual muscle testing would determine the afflicted organ and treatment could begin as soon as a diagnosis was ascertained. Sometimes these diagnoses were physical, other times they were metabolic. For instance, Goodheart pioneered using nutritional supplements and the reactions of patients to those supplements to determine their affliction. If a muscle remained weak, the nutritional supplement was changed until the muscle began regaining some of its strength.

Another method developed by Goodheart’s Applied Kinesiology was “insertion” and “origin” treatment and dealt with the way that a muscle is attached to the skeletal frame; these attachments can also become weak. Goodheart also noticed that when patients developed painful nodules in their body, the muscled became weak. Massage and acupuncture therapies applied to treat these nodules returned the strength that the muscles had lost and promoted health.

According to Goodheart, body language never lies and the patient can not hide a disability either consciously or unconsciously. The Applied Kinesiology method also uses feedback methods to make the patient aware of their body language and how their body is trying to communicate with them. Disharmony in the mind or organs is manifested in the muscles and harmony in the muscles assists in the harmonizing of the mind and organs. Goodheart’s Applied Kinesiology also incorporates other non-Western or traditional medical practices including acupuncture.

In the hands of the well trained massage therapist, Applied Kinesiology methods and the scientific knowledge of Kinesilogy itself, assist in helping patients achieve maximum health. By acting as a teacher, guide, and health mentoring expert, the massage therapist who practices Applied Kinesiology is able to help the patient become an integral part of their medical treatment and be proactive in establishing better health and well being. Just as Dr. Goodwin intended, the massage therapist will also help guide the patient through feedback so that they can focus their consciousness on their ailments and treat them appropriately. The massage therapy techniques employed by Applied Kinesiology can be from any school of philosophy as long as they focus on treatment through muscular manipulation and promote balance while leaving room for verbal dialogue and feedback.

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