Guest guest Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 In a message dated 4/30/2006 9:37:29 A.M. Central Daylight Time, hmmmhmmhm@... writes: <<<Hi, I would like to hear from any one who has had any experience with applied kinesiology. I have read of the amazing results it can have on injuries. So any thoughts would be welcome, thanks.>> ***I had a number of recurring back and hip problems that were not adequately diagnosed or treated until I found a chiropractor who primarily used Applied Kinesiology. I was referred to him by about 15 competitive martial artists who privately joked about forming a religion based on his hands and had nicknamed him " God. " Though some of his methods mystified me, I became a true believer in the results. In two visits he corrected problems that had been with me daily for years, and gave me excellent guidance to continue the healing process. " Call me when you need me again, " he said as I left. Wow. Didn't need him for about five months, then I did something stupid. One visit, and I was in great shape again. I have since learned a little more about AK and may study it properly later. It's a very powerful therapeutic method when used well. kson, CST Minneapolis, MN USA _www.ClubbellTrainer.com_ (http://www.clubbelltrainer.com/) " Better Living Through Movement. " " Be good to yourself. If you don't take care of your body, where will you live? " - Kobi Yamada Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2006 Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 Hi I've had it a few times too and I'm also mystified as to how it works there seems to be some, metaphysical reaction to the things they test you for as they place a substance just above your navel to see, if it weakens your muscle. From what I've heard from people it seems to certainly work. Greenland East Sussex, UK kson wrote: > I had a number of recurring back and hip problems that were not adequately > diagnosed or treated until I found a chiropractor who primarily used Applied > Kinesiology. I was referred to him by about 15 competitive martial artists who > privately joked about forming a religion based on his hands and had > nicknamed him " God. " > > Though some of his methods mystified me, I became a true believer in the > results. In two visits he corrected problems that had been with me daily for > years, and gave me excellent guidance to continue the healing process. " Call me > when you need me again, " he said as I left. Wow. Didn't need him for about > five months, then I did something stupid. One visit, and I was in great shape > again. > > I have since learned a little more about AK and may study it properly later. > It's a very powerful therapeutic method when used well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 > > Hi I've had it a few times too and I'm also mystified as to how > it works there seems to be some, metaphysical reaction to the things > they test you for as they place a substance just above your navel to > see, if it weakens your muscle. From what I've heard from people it > seems to certainly work. ***If you search the Supertraining archives you may find information / resources regarding applied kinesiology, for example, see below: http://www.healthwatcher.net/Quackerywatch/AK-applied- kinesiology/index.html http://skepdic.com/akinesiology.html http://www.healthwatcher.net/Quackerywatch/AK-applied- kinesiology/ind... http://www.chirobase.org/06DD/ak.html ------ Scientific Research J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1994 Mar-Apr;17(3):141-8 Muscle testing response to provocative vertebral challenge and spinal manipulation: a randomized controlled trial of construct validity. Haas M, D, Hoyer D, Ross G. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship of muscle strength response to a provocative vertebral challenge and to spinal manipulation. DESIGN: Prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial: crossover and between subjects designs..... PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-eight naive volunteers from the student body, staff and faculty of the college. INTERVENTIONS: Provocative vertebral challenge: standardized 4-5 kg force applied with a pressure algometer to the lateral aspects of the T3-12 spinous processes. Intervention: manual high velocity low amplitude adjustment or switched-off activator sham. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Piriformis muscle response was defined in two ways: reactivity (a decrease in muscle resistance, yes or nor, following a vertebral challenge); responsiveness (the cessation of reactivity following spinal manipulation). Relative response attributable to the maneuver (RRAM): the percent of an outcome attributable to the challenge or adjustment itself. RESULTS: Average RRAM = 16% reactivity to vertebral challenge; average RRAM = 0% responsiveness to spinal manipulation. Six to 10% of muscle tests were positive regardless of examiner, previous finding or intervention. CONCLUSIONS: For the population under investigation, muscle response appeared to be a random phenomenon unrelated to manipulable subluxation. In and of itself, muscle testing appears to be of questionable use for spinal screening and post-adjustive evaluation. Further research is indicated in more symptomatic populations, different regions of the spine, and using different indicator muscles. ------------ http://www.chirobase.org/06DD/ak.html Extracts provided Applied kinesiology (AK) is a pseudoscientific system of muscle- testing and therapy. It was initiated in 1964 by J. Goodheart, Jr., D.C., and has become quite elaborate. Its basic notion is that every organ dysfunction is accompanied by a specific muscle weakness, which enables diseases to be diagnosed through muscle-testing procedures. Most practitioners are chiropractors, but naturopaths, medical doctors, dentists, bogus nutritionists, physical therapists, massage therapists, nurse practitioners, and multilevel distributors (most notably for Nature's Sunshine) are also involved. In 1991, 37% of 4,835 full-time American chiropractors who responded to a survey by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) said they used AK in their practice [1]. Subsequent NBCE surveys found percentages of 31% in Canada (1992) [2], 60% in Australia (1993) [3], 72% in New Zealand (1993) [3], and 43% in the United States (1998) [4]. The prevalence among other types of practitioners is unknown. Note: Applied kinesiology should be distinguished from kinesiology (biomechanics), which is the scientific study of movement. Bizarre Claims AK proponents claim that nutritional deficiencies, allergies, and other adverse reactions to foods or nutrients can be detected by having the patient chew or suck on them or by placing them on the tongue so that the patient salivates. Some practitioners advise that the test material merely be held in the patient's hand or placed on another part of the body. A few even perform " surrogate testing " in which the arm strength of a parent is tested to determine problems in a child held by the parent. According to a 1987 book for the general public written with help from two leading chiropractic AK practitioners: The practicing AK is a graduate chiropractor who can explain to you how your glands and organs appear to be functioning with specific muscle tests. He can suggest nutrition to help improve various conditions, and he can demonstrate with your muscles that you probably need particular nutrients. He can correct problems in your spine and in joints, and can stretch or compress muscles to improve your structural condition. He may massage certain junctures of nerve, lymph, blood, and acupuncture meridians to stimulate glandular or systemic activity. He can advise you on how to stay healthy and he will pay particular attention to your posture and your feet. He can offer an excellent second opinion if you are under a physician's care, are seeing a chiropractor who is not an applied kinesiologist, or if you have been in an accident [5]. Many muscle-testing proponents assert that nutrients tested in these various ways will have an immediate effect: " good " substances will make specific muscles stronger, whereas " bad " substances will cause weaknesses that " indicate trouble with the organ or other tissue on the same nerve, vascular, nutrition, etc., grouping. " A leading AK text, for example, states: If a patient is diagnosed as having a liver disturbance and the associated pectoralis major [chest muscle] tests weak, have the patient chew a substance that may help the liver, such as vitamin A. If . . . the vitamin A is appropriate treatment, the muscle will test strong [6]. Finding a " weak " muscle supposedly enables the practitioner to pinpoint illness in the corresponding internal organs in the body. For example, a weak muscle in the chest might indicate a liver problem, and a weak muscle near the groin might indicate " adrenal insufficiency. " If a muscle tests " weaker " after a substance is placed in the patient's mouth, it supposedly signifies disease in the organ associated with that muscle. If the muscle tests " stronger, " the substance supposedly can remedy problems in the corresponding body parts. Testing is also claimed to indicate which nutrients are deficient. If a weak muscle becomes stronger after a nutrient (or a food high in the nutrient) is chewed, that supposedly indicates " a deficiency normally associated with that muscle. " Some practitioners contend that muscle-testing can also help diagnose allergies,and other adverse reactions to foods. According to this theory, when a muscle tests " weak, " the provocative substance is bad for the patient. AK " treatment " may include special diets, food supplements, acupressure (finger pressure on various parts of the body), and spinal manipulation [7]. Goodheart states that AK techniques can also be used to evaluate nerve, vascular, and lymphatic systems; the body's nutritional state; the flow of " energy " along " acupuncture meridians " ; and " cerebro spinal fluid function. " The 70-page chapter on " meridian therapy " in a leading AK textbook advises that subluxations influence the status of meridian system and vice versa [8]. The leading publisher/distributor of AK educational materials for chiropractors and their patients appears to be Systems DC, of Pueblo, Colorado. Its pamphlet on infections and child health states: When an infection develops, have your child examined by your doctor using applied kinesiology. He can evaluate the energy patterns and usually find the reason that the infection developed in the first place. By correcting the energy patterns within the body and paying specific attention to nutritional supplements and dietary management, the infection which your child (using natural health care) does develop will be adequately taken care of in most cases [9]. Research Findings Although the claims of applied kinesiology are so far removed from scientific reality that testing them might seem a waste of time, competent researchers have subjected the muscle-testing procedures to several well-designed controlled tests and demonstrated what should be obvious to rational persons. Some have found no difference in muscle response from one substance to another, while others have found no difference between the results with test substances and with placebos. One study, for example, found that three practitioners testing eleven subjects made significantly different assessments; their diagnoses of nutritional deficiencies did not correspond to the nutrient levels obtain by blood serum analysis; and that the responses to nutrient substances did not significantly differ from responses to placebos [10]. Another study found no effect from administering the nutrients " expected " to strengthen a muscle diagnosed as " weak " by AK practitioners. " [11] Other researchers who conducted an elaborate double-blind trial concluded that " muscle response appeared to be a random phenomenon. " [12] Yet another study showed that suggestion can influence the outcome of muscle-testing. During part of this experiment, college students were told that chewing M & M candies would give them instant energy that would probably make them test stronger. Five out of nine did so [13]. Some people who undergo AK muscle-testing report that although they resisted as hard as they could, the practitioner was still able to pull down their arm. Differences from one test to another may be due to suggestibility; variations in the amount of force, leverage, or follow-through involved; and/or muscle fatigue. Distraction can also play a role. (Touching another part of the body just before pulling down the arm may cause the patient to focus less on resisting.) But trickery (deliberate or unconscious) may also be a factor. A sudden slight upward movement can cause a " set " muscle to relax so that it can be immediately pulled downward. I have found that when this is done quickly, the person being tested is unlikely to detect the upward motion. Try this on a friend. Questionable " Standards " The International College of Applied Kinesiology (ICAK), founded in the mid-1970s, has set " standards " based on the work of Goodheart and his followers who allege they have subjected AK to " extensive scientific study. " Certification by its board (which is not recognized by chiropractic's official accrediting body) requires a minimum of 300 hours of study under an ICAK diplomate, 5,000 hours of practical experience, authorship of two research papers, and passage of written and practical examinations. According to ICAK's 1992 status statement: Applied kinesiology procedures are not intended to be used as a single method of diagnosis. Applied kinesiology examination should enhance standard diagnosis, not replace it. . . . There are both lay persons and professionals who use a form of manual muscle testing without the necessary expertise to perform specific and accurate tests. Some fail to coordinate the muscle testing findings with other standard diagnostic procedures. These may be sources of error that could lead to misinterpretation of the condition present, and thus improper treatment, or failure to treat the appropriate condition [14]. In a recent letter to me, the ICAK-USA executive board added that, " While there are numerous methods which employ manual muscle testing procedures, most are not in keeping with the standards of the ICAK . . . . Specifically . . . testing of substances by any method other than the stimulation of gustatory receptors on the tongue or olfactory receptors in the nose is specifically outside of the realm of applied kinesiology. " [15] It appears to me, however, that the nutrition-related claims and practices of those affiliated with ICAK are no less bizarre than those of other muscle-testers who do not follow ICAK " standards. " Not surprisingly, a review of 20 research papers published by ICAK concluded that because " none of the papers included adequate statistical analyses, no valid conclusions could be drawn concerning their report of findings. " [16] The Bottom Line The concepts of applied kinesiology do not conform to scientific facts about the causes or treatment of disease. Controlled studies have found no difference between the results with test substances and with placebos. Differences from one test to another may be due to suggestibility, distraction, variations in the amount of force or leverage involved, and/or muscle fatigue. If you encounter a practitioner who relies on AK muscle-testing for diagnosis, head for the nearest exit. ------------- Carruthers Wakefield, UK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 Thank you for all the links etc very intresting, although it does appear to be one sided. The individual I saw said he had been studying it for 21 years I don't think he was out for my money, as the next time he wanted to see me was in 2 months. I find it hard to believe the people who use it are all out to scam us. Reading some of the information I feel surely intelligent professionals must have heard all the against aspects yet they still think it works. Greenland East Sussex UK > If you search the Supertraining archives you may find > information / resources regarding applied kinesiology, for example, > see below: > > http://www.healthwatcher.net/Quackerywatch/AK-applied- > kinesiology/index.html > > http://skepdic.com/akinesiology.html > > http://www.healthwatcher.net/Quackerywatch/AK-applied- > kinesiology/ind... > > http://www.chirobase.org/06DD/ak.html > > ------ > Scientific Research > > J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1994 Mar-Apr;17(3):141-8 > Muscle testing response to provocative vertebral challenge and spinal > manipulation: a randomized controlled trial of construct validity. > Haas M, D, Hoyer D, Ross G. > > OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship of muscle strength response > to a provocative vertebral challenge and to spinal manipulation. > DESIGN: Prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial: > crossover and between subjects designs..... PARTICIPANTS: Sixty- eight > naive volunteers from the student body, staff and faculty of the > college. > > INTERVENTIONS: Provocative vertebral challenge: standardized 4-5 kg > force applied with a pressure algometer to the lateral aspects of the > T3-12 spinous processes. Intervention: manual high velocity low > amplitude adjustment or switched-off activator sham. MAIN OUTCOME > MEASURES: Piriformis muscle response was defined in two ways: > reactivity (a decrease in muscle resistance, yes or nor, following a > vertebral challenge); responsiveness (the cessation of reactivity > following spinal manipulation). Relative response attributable to the > maneuver (RRAM): the percent of an outcome attributable to the > challenge or adjustment itself. > > RESULTS: Average RRAM = 16% reactivity to vertebral challenge; > average RRAM = 0% responsiveness to spinal manipulation. Six to 10% > of muscle tests were positive regardless of examiner, previous > finding or intervention. > CONCLUSIONS: For the population under investigation, muscle response > appeared to be a random phenomenon unrelated to manipulable > subluxation. In and of itself, muscle testing appears to be of > questionable use for spinal screening and post-adjustive evaluation. > Further research is indicated in more symptomatic populations, > different regions of the spine, and using different indicator > muscles. > > ------------ > http://www.chirobase.org/06DD/ak.html > > Extracts provided > > Applied kinesiology (AK) is a pseudoscientific system of muscle- > testing and therapy. It was initiated in 1964 by J. Goodheart, > Jr., D.C., and has become quite elaborate. Its basic notion is that > every organ dysfunction is accompanied by a specific muscle weakness, > which enables diseases to be diagnosed through muscle-testing > procedures. Most practitioners are chiropractors, but naturopaths, > medical doctors, dentists, bogus nutritionists, physical therapists, > massage therapists, nurse practitioners, and multilevel distributors > (most notably for Nature's Sunshine) are also involved. In 1991, 37% > of 4,835 full-time American chiropractors who responded to a survey > by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) said they used > AK in their practice [1]. Subsequent NBCE surveys found percentages > of 31% in Canada (1992) [2], 60% in Australia (1993) [3], 72% in New > Zealand (1993) [3], and 43% in the United States (1998) [4]. The > prevalence among other types of practitioners is unknown. Note: > Applied kinesiology should be distinguished from kinesiology > (biomechanics), which is the scientific study of movement. > > Bizarre Claims > AK proponents claim that nutritional deficiencies, allergies, and > other adverse reactions to foods or nutrients can be detected by > having the patient chew or suck on them or by placing them on the > tongue so that the patient salivates. Some practitioners advise that > the test material merely be held in the patient's hand or placed on > another part of the body. A few even perform " surrogate testing " in > which the arm strength of a parent is tested to determine problems in > a child held by the parent. According to a 1987 book for the general > public written with help from two leading chiropractic AK > practitioners: > > The practicing AK is a graduate chiropractor who can explain to you > how your glands and organs appear to be functioning with specific > muscle tests. He can suggest nutrition to help improve various > conditions, and he can demonstrate with your muscles that you > probably need particular nutrients. He can correct problems in your > spine and in joints, and can stretch or compress muscles to improve > your structural condition. He may massage certain junctures of nerve, > lymph, blood, and acupuncture meridians to stimulate glandular or > systemic activity. He can advise you on how to stay healthy and he > will pay particular attention to your posture and your feet. He can > offer an excellent second opinion if you are under a physician's > care, are seeing a chiropractor who is not an applied kinesiologist, > or if you have been in an accident [5]. > > Many muscle-testing proponents assert that nutrients tested in these > various ways will have an immediate effect: " good " substances will > make specific muscles stronger, whereas " bad " substances will cause > weaknesses that " indicate trouble with the organ or other tissue on > the same nerve, vascular, nutrition, etc., grouping. " A leading AK > text, for example, states: > > If a patient is diagnosed as having a liver disturbance and the > associated pectoralis major [chest muscle] tests weak, have the > patient chew a substance that may help the liver, such as vitamin A. > If . . . the vitamin A is appropriate treatment, the muscle will test > strong [6]. > > Finding a " weak " muscle supposedly enables the practitioner to > pinpoint illness in the corresponding internal organs in the body. > For example, a weak muscle in the chest might indicate a liver > problem, and a weak muscle near the groin might indicate " adrenal > insufficiency. " If a muscle tests " weaker " after a substance is > placed in the patient's mouth, it supposedly signifies disease in the > organ associated with that muscle. If the muscle tests " stronger, " > the substance supposedly can remedy problems in the corresponding > body parts. Testing is also claimed to indicate which nutrients are > deficient. If a weak muscle becomes stronger after a nutrient (or a > food high in the nutrient) is chewed, that supposedly indicates " a > deficiency normally associated with that muscle. " Some practitioners > contend that muscle-testing can also help diagnose allergies,and > other adverse reactions to foods. According to this theory, when a > muscle tests " weak, " the provocative substance is bad for the > patient. AK " treatment " may include special diets, food supplements, > acupressure (finger pressure on various parts of the body), and > spinal manipulation [7]. > > Goodheart states that AK techniques can also be used to evaluate > nerve, vascular, and lymphatic systems; the body's nutritional state; > the flow of " energy " along " acupuncture meridians " ; and " cerebro > spinal fluid function. " The 70-page chapter on " meridian therapy " in > a leading AK textbook advises that subluxations influence the status > of meridian system and vice versa [8]. > > The leading publisher/distributor of AK educational materials for > chiropractors and their patients appears to be Systems DC, of Pueblo, > Colorado. Its pamphlet on infections and child health states: > When an infection develops, have your child examined by your doctor > using applied kinesiology. He can evaluate the energy patterns and > usually find the reason that the infection developed in the first > place. By correcting the energy patterns within the body and paying > specific attention to nutritional supplements and dietary management, > the infection which your child (using natural health care) does > develop will be adequately taken care of in most cases [9]. > > Research Findings > Although the claims of applied kinesiology are so far removed from > scientific reality that testing them might seem a waste of time, > competent researchers have subjected the muscle-testing procedures to > several well-designed controlled tests and demonstrated what should > be obvious to rational persons. Some have found no difference in > muscle response from one substance to another, while others have > found no difference between the results with test substances and with > placebos. One study, for example, found that three practitioners > testing eleven subjects made significantly different assessments; > their diagnoses of nutritional deficiencies did not correspond to the > nutrient levels obtain by blood serum analysis; and that the > responses to nutrient substances did not significantly differ from > responses to placebos [10]. Another study found no effect from > administering the nutrients " expected " to strengthen a muscle > diagnosed as " weak " by AK practitioners. " [11] Other researchers who > conducted an elaborate double-blind trial concluded that " muscle > response appeared to be a random phenomenon. " [12] Yet another study > showed that suggestion can influence the outcome of muscle-testing. > During part of this experiment, college students were told that > chewing M & M candies would give them instant energy that would > probably make them test stronger. Five out of nine did so [13]. > Some people who undergo AK muscle-testing report that although they > resisted as hard as they could, the practitioner was still able to > pull down their arm. Differences from one test to another may be due > to suggestibility; variations in the amount of force, leverage, or > follow-through involved; and/or muscle fatigue. Distraction can also > play a role. (Touching another part of the body just before pulling > down the arm may cause the patient to focus less on resisting.) But > trickery (deliberate or unconscious) may also be a factor. A sudden > slight upward movement can cause a " set " muscle to relax so that it > can be immediately pulled downward. I have found that when this is > done quickly, the person being tested is unlikely to detect the > upward motion. Try this on a friend. > > Questionable " Standards " > The International College of Applied Kinesiology (ICAK), founded in > the mid-1970s, has set " standards " based on the work of Goodheart and > his followers who allege they have subjected AK to " extensive > scientific study. " Certification by its board (which is not > recognized by chiropractic's official accrediting body) requires a > minimum of 300 hours of study under an ICAK diplomate, 5,000 hours of > practical experience, authorship of two research papers, and passage > of written and practical examinations. According to ICAK's 1992 > status statement: > > Applied kinesiology procedures are not intended to be used as a > single method of diagnosis. Applied kinesiology examination should > enhance standard diagnosis, not replace it. . . . > > There are both lay persons and professionals who use a form of manual > muscle testing without the necessary expertise to perform specific > and accurate tests. Some fail to coordinate the muscle testing > findings with other standard diagnostic procedures. These may be > sources of error that could lead to misinterpretation of the > condition present, and thus improper treatment, or failure to treat > the appropriate condition [14]. > > In a recent letter to me, the ICAK-USA executive board added > that, " While there are numerous methods which employ manual muscle > testing procedures, most are not in keeping with the standards of the > ICAK . . . . Specifically . . . testing of substances by any method > other than the stimulation of gustatory receptors on the tongue or > olfactory receptors in the nose is specifically outside of the realm > of applied kinesiology. " [15] It appears to me, however, that the > nutrition-related claims and practices of those affiliated with ICAK > are no less bizarre than those of other muscle-testers who do not > follow ICAK " standards. " Not surprisingly, a review of 20 research > papers published by ICAK concluded that because " none of the papers > included adequate statistical analyses, no valid conclusions could be > drawn concerning their report of findings. " [16] > > The Bottom Line > The concepts of applied kinesiology do not conform to scientific > facts about the causes or treatment of disease. Controlled studies > have found no difference between the results with test substances and > with placebos. Differences from one test to another may be due to > suggestibility, distraction, variations in the amount of force or > leverage involved, and/or muscle fatigue. If you encounter a > practitioner who relies on AK muscle-testing for diagnosis, head for > the nearest exit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 Not all applied kinesiology practitioners are out to scam people. Some of them just happen to be ignorant. Also, just because a particular professional is intelligent doesn't mean they may not be ignorant of certain things or immune to being scammed themselves. There are plenty of very intelligent people in the field of exercise promoting unscientific theories about training as well. In addition to the excellent articles already mentioned, see http://quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Tests/ak.html Applied kinesiology is bogus. Drew Baye Altamonte Springs, FL www.baye.com high intensity strength training ---------- Greenland wrote: <<<Thank you for all the links etc very intresting, although it does appear to be one sided. The individual I saw said he had been studying it for 21 years I don't think he was out for my money, as the next time he wanted to see me was in 2 months. I find it hard to believe the people who use it are all out to scam us. Reading some of the information I feel surely intelligent professionals must have heard all the against aspects yet they still think it works.>>> ------------- > > If you search the Supertraining archives you may find > > information / resources regarding applied kinesiology, for example, > > see below: > > > > http://www.healthwatcher.net/Quackerywatch/AK-applied- > > kinesiology/index.html > > > > http://skepdic.com/akinesiology.html > > > > http://www.healthwatcher.net/Quackerywatch/AK-applied- > > kinesiology/ind... > > > > http://www.chirobase.org/06DD/ak.html > > > > ------ > > Scientific Research > > > > J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1994 Mar-Apr;17(3):141-8 > > Muscle testing response to provocative vertebral challenge and > spinal > > manipulation: a randomized controlled trial of construct validity. > > Haas M, D, Hoyer D, Ross G. > > > > OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship of muscle strength response > > to a provocative vertebral challenge and to spinal manipulation. > > DESIGN: Prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial: > > crossover and between subjects designs..... PARTICIPANTS: Sixty- > eight > > naive volunteers from the student body, staff and faculty of the > > college. > > > > INTERVENTIONS: Provocative vertebral challenge: standardized 4-5 kg > > force applied with a pressure algometer to the lateral aspects of > the > > T3-12 spinous processes. Intervention: manual high velocity low > > amplitude adjustment or switched-off activator sham. MAIN OUTCOME > > MEASURES: Piriformis muscle response was defined in two ways: > > reactivity (a decrease in muscle resistance, yes or nor, following > a > > vertebral challenge); responsiveness (the cessation of reactivity > > following spinal manipulation). Relative response attributable to > the > > maneuver (RRAM): the percent of an outcome attributable to the > > challenge or adjustment itself. > > > > RESULTS: Average RRAM == 16% reactivity to vertebral challenge; > > average RRAM == 0% responsiveness to spinal manipulation. Six to 10% > > of muscle tests were positive regardless of examiner, previous > > finding or intervention. > > CONCLUSIONS: For the population under investigation, muscle > response > > appeared to be a random phenomenon unrelated to manipulable > > subluxation. In and of itself, muscle testing appears to be of > > questionable use for spinal screening and post-adjustive > evaluation. > > Further research is indicated in more symptomatic populations, > > different regions of the spine, and using different indicator > > muscles. > > > > ------------ > > http://www.chirobase.org/06DD/ak.html > > > > Extracts provided > > > > Applied kinesiology (AK) is a pseudoscientific system of muscle- > > testing and therapy. It was initiated in 1964 by J. > Goodheart, > > Jr., D.C., and has become quite elaborate. Its basic notion is that > > every organ dysfunction is accompanied by a specific muscle > weakness, > > which enables diseases to be diagnosed through muscle-testing > > procedures. Most practitioners are chiropractors, but naturopaths, > > medical doctors, dentists, bogus nutritionists, physical > therapists, > > massage therapists, nurse practitioners, and multilevel > distributors > > (most notably for Nature's Sunshine) are also involved. In 1991, > 37% > > of 4,835 full-time American chiropractors who responded to a survey > > by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) said they > used > > AK in their practice [1]. Subsequent NBCE surveys found percentages > > of 31% in Canada (1992) [2], 60% in Australia (1993) [3], 72% in > New > > Zealand (1993) [3], and 43% in the United States (1998) [4]. The > > prevalence among other types of practitioners is unknown. Note: > > Applied kinesiology should be distinguished from kinesiology > > (biomechanics), which is the scientific study of movement. > > > > Bizarre Claims > > AK proponents claim that nutritional deficiencies, allergies, and > > other adverse reactions to foods or nutrients can be detected by > > having the patient chew or suck on them or by placing them on the > > tongue so that the patient salivates. Some practitioners advise > that > > the test material merely be held in the patient's hand or placed on > > another part of the body. A few even perform " surrogate testing " in > > which the arm strength of a parent is tested to determine problems > in > > a child held by the parent. According to a 1987 book for the > general > > public written with help from two leading chiropractic AK > > practitioners: > > > > The practicing AK is a graduate chiropractor who can explain to you > > how your glands and organs appear to be functioning with specific > > muscle tests. He can suggest nutrition to help improve various > > conditions, and he can demonstrate with your muscles that you > > probably need particular nutrients. He can correct problems in your > > spine and in joints, and can stretch or compress muscles to improve > > your structural condition. He may massage certain junctures of > nerve, > > lymph, blood, and acupuncture meridians to stimulate glandular or > > systemic activity. He can advise you on how to stay healthy and he > > will pay particular attention to your posture and your feet. He can > > offer an excellent second opinion if you are under a physician's > > care, are seeing a chiropractor who is not an applied > kinesiologist, > > or if you have been in an accident [5]. > > > > Many muscle-testing proponents assert that nutrients tested in > these > > various ways will have an immediate effect: " good " substances will > > make specific muscles stronger, whereas " bad " substances will cause > > weaknesses that " indicate trouble with the organ or other tissue on > > the same nerve, vascular, nutrition, etc., grouping. " A leading AK > > text, for example, states: > > > > If a patient is diagnosed as having a liver disturbance and the > > associated pectoralis major [chest muscle] tests weak, have the > > patient chew a substance that may help the liver, such as vitamin > A. > > If . . . the vitamin A is appropriate treatment, the muscle will > test > > strong [6]. > > > > Finding a " weak " muscle supposedly enables the practitioner to > > pinpoint illness in the corresponding internal organs in the body. > > For example, a weak muscle in the chest might indicate a liver > > problem, and a weak muscle near the groin might indicate " adrenal > > insufficiency. " If a muscle tests " weaker " after a substance is > > placed in the patient's mouth, it supposedly signifies disease in > the > > organ associated with that muscle. If the muscle tests " stronger, " > > the substance supposedly can remedy problems in the corresponding > > body parts. Testing is also claimed to indicate which nutrients are > > deficient. If a weak muscle becomes stronger after a nutrient (or a > > food high in the nutrient) is chewed, that supposedly indicates " a > > deficiency normally associated with that muscle. " Some > practitioners > > contend that muscle-testing can also help diagnose allergies,and > > other adverse reactions to foods. According to this theory, when a > > muscle tests " weak, " the provocative substance is bad for the > > patient. AK " treatment " may include special diets, food > supplements, > > acupressure (finger pressure on various parts of the body), and > > spinal manipulation [7]. > > > > Goodheart states that AK techniques can also be used to evaluate > > nerve, vascular, and lymphatic systems; the body's nutritional > state; > > the flow of " energy " along " acupuncture meridians " ; and " cerebro > > spinal fluid function. " The 70-page chapter on " meridian therapy " > in > > a leading AK textbook advises that subluxations influence the > status > > of meridian system and vice versa [8]. > > > > The leading publisher/distributor of AK educational materials for > > chiropractors and their patients appears to be Systems DC, of > Pueblo, > > Colorado. Its pamphlet on infections and child health states: > > When an infection develops, have your child examined by your doctor > > using applied kinesiology. He can evaluate the energy patterns and > > usually find the reason that the infection developed in the first > > place. By correcting the energy patterns within the body and paying > > specific attention to nutritional supplements and dietary > management, > > the infection which your child (using natural health care) does > > develop will be adequately taken care of in most cases [9]. > > > > Research Findings > > Although the claims of applied kinesiology are so far removed from > > scientific reality that testing them might seem a waste of time, > > competent researchers have subjected the muscle-testing procedures > to > > several well-designed controlled tests and demonstrated what should > > be obvious to rational persons. Some have found no difference in > > muscle response from one substance to another, while others have > > found no difference between the results with test substances and > with > > placebos. One study, for example, found that three practitioners > > testing eleven subjects made significantly different assessments; > > their diagnoses of nutritional deficiencies did not correspond to > the > > nutrient levels obtain by blood serum analysis; and that the > > responses to nutrient substances did not significantly differ from > > responses to placebos [10]. Another study found no effect from > > administering the nutrients " expected " to strengthen a muscle > > diagnosed as " weak " by AK practitioners. " [11] Other researchers > who > > conducted an elaborate double-blind trial concluded that " muscle > > response appeared to be a random phenomenon. " [12] Yet another > study > > showed that suggestion can influence the outcome of muscle-testing. > > During part of this experiment, college students were told that > > chewing M & M candies would give them instant energy that would > > probably make them test stronger. Five out of nine did so [13]. > > Some people who undergo AK muscle-testing report that although they > > resisted as hard as they could, the practitioner was still able to > > pull down their arm. Differences from one test to another may be > due > > to suggestibility; variations in the amount of force, leverage, or > > follow-through involved; and/or muscle fatigue. Distraction can > also > > play a role. (Touching another part of the body just before pulling > > down the arm may cause the patient to focus less on resisting.) But > > trickery (deliberate or unconscious) may also be a factor. A sudden > > slight upward movement can cause a " set " muscle to relax so that it > > can be immediately pulled downward. I have found that when this is > > done quickly, the person being tested is unlikely to detect the > > upward motion. Try this on a friend. > > > > Questionable " Standards " > > The International College of Applied Kinesiology (ICAK), founded in > > the mid-1970s, has set " standards " based on the work of Goodheart > and > > his followers who allege they have subjected AK to " extensive > > scientific study. " Certification by its board (which is not > > recognized by chiropractic's official accrediting body) requires a > > minimum of 300 hours of study under an ICAK diplomate, 5,000 hours > of > > practical experience, authorship of two research papers, and > passage > > of written and practical examinations. According to ICAK's 1992 > > status statement: > > > > Applied kinesiology procedures are not intended to be used as a > > single method of diagnosis. Applied kinesiology examination should > > enhance standard diagnosis, not replace it. . . . > > > > There are both lay persons and professionals who use a form of > manual > > muscle testing without the necessary expertise to perform specific > > and accurate tests. Some fail to coordinate the muscle testing > > findings with other standard diagnostic procedures. These may be > > sources of error that could lead to misinterpretation of the > > condition present, and thus improper treatment, or failure to treat > > the appropriate condition [14]. > > > > In a recent letter to me, the ICAK-USA executive board added > > that, " While there are numerous methods which employ manual muscle > > testing procedures, most are not in keeping with the standards of > the > > ICAK . . . . Specifically . . . testing of substances by any method > > other than the stimulation of gustatory receptors on the tongue or > > olfactory receptors in the nose is specifically outside of the > realm > > of applied kinesiology. " [15] It appears to me, however, that the > > nutrition-related claims and practices of those affiliated with > ICAK > > are no less bizarre than those of other muscle-testers who do not > > follow ICAK " standards. " Not surprisingly, a review of 20 research > > papers published by ICAK concluded that because " none of the papers > > included adequate statistical analyses, no valid conclusions could > be > > drawn concerning their report of findings. " [16] > > > > The Bottom Line > > The concepts of applied kinesiology do not conform to scientific > > facts about the causes or treatment of disease. Controlled studies > > have found no difference between the results with test substances > and > > with placebos. Differences from one test to another may be due to > > suggestibility, distraction, variations in the amount of force or > > leverage involved, and/or muscle fatigue. If you encounter a > > practitioner who relies on AK muscle-testing for diagnosis, head > for > > the nearest exit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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