Applied Kinesiology and Functional Neurological Assessment

Many people are amazed at Applied Kinesiological muscle testing.  I often hear people call it "voodoo" "magic" or they simply think there is some trick to it.  Actually its based on sound neurological science.  This post is an attempt to simplify the neurology and provide a basic understanding of how a muscle becomes "conditionally inhibited" or "weak" and to clarify the primary intent of Applied Kinesiology's functional neurological assessment.  

The FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH of a muscle is determined by the CENTRAL INTEGRATED STATE of the MOTOR NEURON at each spinal level.  

THE CENTRAL INTEGRATED STATE is maintained by the convergence of input coming from the brain and the body.  Input from the body in the form nerve signals coming from the muscles, organs, joints, and many other sensory receptors embedded within the body.   

If there is a loss of normal sensory activity in the muscles, organs, joints due to subluxation (poor spinal alignment), poor range of motion, injury, pain, or disease, then the effect is a INHIBITED CENTRAL INTEGRATED STATE of the converging pathways to the motor nerve that controls the muscles.  Hence, the muscle becomes CONDITIONALLY INHIBITED.  

CONDITIONALLY INHIBITED MUSCLES test "weak" during a muscle test.  Inhibited muscles destabalize joints, and often create pain, dysfunction, and poor muscular performance overall.

APPLIED KINESIOLOGY diagnostic procedures are used to identify CONDITIONALLY INHIBITED MUSCLES,  and also to identify the CAUSE of the inhibition.  Treatment is focused on restoring the proper level of neurologic function, balance the input from the brain and body, and restore proper joint function.  This is associated clinically with the reduction of pain, improved neuromuscular function, improved joint stability, and proper muscular control of joints.