Kinesiology can be called a blend between the science dealing with the interrelationship of the physiological processes and anatomy of the human body with respect to movement, and applying this knowledge by the use of manual muscle testing to the diagnosis and treatment of structural and physiological problems.

Principally, Kinesiology is an ancient muscle-feedback and -testing technique which embraces the whole human being in a perfect holistic way - body, mind and emotional level according to the humans´ individual needs (body structure, body ecology, emotions, mental patterns and believe systems, environmental or toxic influences…)

By this method, we are able to ask precise questions and therefore get precise answers in return – just with our body, virtually everywhere we are, about everything we want!

In clinical tests, it was discovered that the diagnosis with the kinesiological test is even more precise compared to the technical devices used today by modern medical science.

It is said, that already the old Inka people from South-America, about 5000 years ago have used a simple muscle-feedback test to determine for instance good from bad water sources in the jungle.

Nowadays, this very simple and astonishing precise diagnosis and treatment method has been greatly developed from 1964 onwards by Dr. of Chiropractic George Goodheart, Detroit (Michigan, USA), basing his work on the pioneering books of Kendall/Kendall from the early 1950ies. During the 1960ies, Dr. Goodheart established a technique known as “Applied Kinesiology ®”.

Later on, a lot of different disciplines have been developed from the basic knowledge Dr. Goodheart had established so far. Today we find an amazing variety of possibilities, among which the psycho(logical) kinesiology is a mile-stone, as it is able to explore unsolved emotional conflicts in the human being.

These different techniques allow the kinesiologists to correct a large number of muscle weaknesses. A way which would allow the muscles that were found weak, or turned off, to be strengthened, or turned on. After correction many peoples structurally related pain and imbalances disappeared. Another result of these muscle balances was that they often corrected the very imbalances that caused, or was often the result of spine and joint misalignments.

A Kinesiologist through manual muscle testing can detect and correct many different components of an imbalanced system and restore harmony, which often reverses the process of dis-ease. Kinesiology is used today not only to correct muscle imbalances but also to evaluate the functional status of the nervous system and the effects of sensory input on health and behavior. Since the nervous system and its responses to our internal and external environment controls all major body functions, it is imperative that a health professionals be able to evaluate its function and kinesiology is a functional and elegant tool for this purpose. In kinesiology the Kinesiologists observes the patient as a whole organism rather than a symptom. This allows many different avenues of approach and requires that the patient be totally involved in their own healing process.

Currently manual muscle testing is also used as a bio-feedback tool for allowing a person to get in touch neurological imbalances related to life events and physiological disturbances. These protocols allow the kinesiologist to facilitate the patient in accessing and defusing emotionally charged issues.

In our daily practice in Auroville, we are using several techniques and teachings combined (including the 5 elements of the traditional Chinese medicine), having crystallized to be most appropriate for our work during the last 7 years. We work with “applied kinesiology ®”, “touch for health ®” and “psycho kinesiology ®”.

With kinesiology it is possible to deal with ALL MAJOR CHRONIC and ACUTE PROBLEMS OF THE PHYSICAL BODY, THE MIND AND THE EMOTIONAL BODY.

Kinesiology sometimes appears like a miracle method, but in fact is a reliable tool to truly find out the underlying cause of our daily problems of life.

Even for small children (babies) or animals it is applicable, as kinesiology can be done through another person (surrogate) for the (young) patients or animals.

Now, we are planning to offer simple seminars about our specific kinesiological approach, in order to open this testing technique to the public, enabling the layman to have more self-responsibility and self-confidence in a reasonable and responsible way for dealing with life.

The following are brief references to recent clinical research in the field of kinesiology:

1. Leisman, G., Shambaugh, P., Ferentz, A., Somatosensory Evoked Potential Changes During Muscle Testing, International Journal of Neuroscience, 1989, Vol. 45, pp. 143-151.
   
   This study measured the way the central nervous system (brain) is functioning when muscles test strong versus when they test weak. Clear, consistent, and predictable differences were identified in the brain between weak and strong muscle test outcomes. This supports that idea that manual muscle testing outcome changes reflect changes in the central nervous system.
   
   
2. Leisman, G., et al, Electromyographic Effects of Fatigue and Task Repetition on the Validity of Estimates of Strong and Weak Muscles in Applied Kinesiology Muscle-Testing Procedures. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1995, Vol. 80, pp. 963-977.
   
   This paper combines four different experimental procedures published together. They support the following:
   
   
   • "Weak" muscles tested kinesiologically are fundamentally different than "strong" muscles tested kinesiologically;
   • Muslces that test weak kinesiologically are fundamentally different neurologically than muscles that are fatigued;
   • Kinesiology muscle testing procedures can be objectively evaluated via quantifying the neurologic electrical characteristics of muscles;
   • The course and effect of kinesiology treatment can be plotted over time objectively.

    

3. Perot, C., Meldener, R., Gouble, F., Objective Measurement of Proprioceptive Technique Consequences on Muscular Maximal Voluntary Contraction During Manual Muscle Testing, Agressologie (French journal), 1991, 32, 10:471-474.
   
   This study measured the electrical activity in muscles. It established that there was a significant difference in electrical activity in the muscle, which corresponded, with the difference of strong versus weak muscle testing outcomes kinesiologically. It further established that these outcomes were not attributable to increased or decreased testing force from the doctor during the tests. In addition, the Perot study showed that manual treatment methods used by applied kinesiologists to assess the level of tone of spindle cells in the muscle are in fact capable of creating a reduction in tone of the muscle, as had been observed clinically. This is a useful tool clinically, so the verification of its action is useful to doctors in the office.
   
   
4. Esposito, V., Leisman, G., Neuromuscular Effects of TMJ Dysfunction, International Journal of Neuroscience, Vol. 68, pp. 3-4.
   
   This study demonstrated that the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has significant clinical effects on balance and coordination, and that problems of the TMJ contribute significantly to loss of neurological control of mechanical function. This confirms a significant observation caused by applied kinesiologists in assessment of patient function.
   
   

5. Esposito, V., Leisman, G., Frankenthal, Y., Non-Force Manual Therapeutic Effects on Disc Herniation, Journal of Orthopedic Medicine, 1996 (in press).

   This study used "before and after" MRI scans to show that patients with significant herniated discs in the low back could be treated successfully using non-forced cranial adjusting techniques. The outcomes from this conservative applied kinesiology-based method were better than other conservative care methods.