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.

  

Chiropractic Care Focuses on Optimal Health and Function

Many people understand chiropractic as a method for relieving neck pain, back pain, and headaches.  This is true as chiropractic has been shown to be one of the most effective, natural approaches to relieving pain.  What is not as well know are the far reaching benefits of a chiropractic adjustment.  Here are but a few of the many benefits of regular chiropractic care : 1. restoration of and maintainance of  normal joint motion.  2. improve spinal biomechanics 3. optimization of  performance and coordination. 4. maintainance of  joint stability 5. improves nutrition to discs and other joints. 6. reduces the risk of injury and spinal degeneration.  7. improves agility, balance, coordination, stability and fine motor control.

The importance of a chiropractic evaluation following an auto accident

Many of my current clients have told me that when they went to their doctor following their accident, they received a brief examination, given pain medication and released. Few of them were x-rayed, and even fewer were referred to chiropractors to detect subtle spine and muscle injuries. A February 2001 study in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology revealed that accident victims, classified as having “minor” injuries experienced a threefold increase of neck and shoulder pain 7 years after their accidents. Another study published in 1997 in the American Journal of Arthritis and Rheumatology found that 21.6% of adults with neck injuries developed Fibromyalgia with 1 year of their injury! Don’t just walk away from the accident and think that you will be fine. Everyone who is involved in an automobile accident has the right to a complete chiropractic evaluation to detect subtle injuries to the spine and muscles that can result in an increased risk of headache, back pain, fatigue, stomach pain, sleep disturbance and general ill health years later. If you or someone you know has been in an auto accident, call our office today at 206-860-9090 to schedule a chiropractic evaluation

Our Primary Intention at The Vital Energy Center

Our Primary Intention is to help as many people as we can lead happier and healthier lives.

Thats what motivates us and drives us to continually improve the quality of our services.

We know that every person we help creates a positive shift for us, for them, for their family, community, and all humanity.

The goals for The Vital Energy Center are to:

• Substantially improve our patients health and well-being far beyond "back-pain problems".

• Provide our patients with self-care education to promote a lifetime of health & wellness

• Help our patients understand the primary that chiropractic, nutrition, and massage have in the restoration and maintenance of good health.
  

• Give you access to the best natural healers in one convenient location.

• 
  
• To set a new standard for quality care and impeccable service.
  

What is Applied Kinesiology Muscle Testing...

Basic human anatomy has shown that there is an intimate connection between your muscles and your nerve system. The purpose of the central nerve system, your brain and spinal cord, is to control, regulate, and heal the body. In order to do this, your brain must be able to send an electrical signal, or "vital energy", over the spinal cord, thorough the spinal nerves and out to every muscle, organ and gland. Without the transmission of this vital enery, the body will die. If this energy is cut off from any one part of the body, that individual part will die. Every muscle, organ and gland is also able to send electrical signals over the nerves to notifiy the brain of its current condition and specific needs. Optimum body function is only possible when the electrical energy in your body can travel without interference over the nerves. However, when the body is in a state of dis-ease the brain cannot effectively transmit this signal to the body parts. As a result, the ability of the brain to control, regulate and heal the body is diminished. Diminished nerve signals can be identified by performing a manual muscle test. Muscle testing is performed as a means of tuning in to the function of your body's electrical system or nerve system. When performing a muscle test we are looking for the muscle to respond "strong". A "strong" or facilitated muscle responds by contracting fully in response to the pressure being applied to it. If the muscle being tested is shakey, or gives way, this indicates that there is an inadequate neurologic control, or inhibition, of the muscle. There are many reason for this, but is often the result due to neuroarticular dysfunction, or spinal joint subluxation., After your chiropractor locates the source of the problem, and corrects it with a chiropractic adjustment, the brain is better able to deliver the electrical signal to the muscle, the muscle responds "strong" when tested, and the functional integrity of your nerve system has been improved. This is clinically associated with pain relief, joint stabilization, improved muscular activation, strength, flexibility, and coordination. Chiropractic and Applied Kinesiology Manual Muscle Testing maximize your self-healing and self-regulating abilities by improving the ability of your brain to send its life giving vital energy to every muscle, organ and gland in the body!! GET ADJUSTED TODAY!

Chiropractic Exam Special Offer!

Are you or someone you know experiencing neck pain, back pain, or headaches? Did you know that we excel at helping people with these painful and sometimes debilitating conditions? Here's your chance to get relief today with this amazing offer!

For a limited time, We're offering our introductory exam for only $77!* (reg. $225). Here's
what we'll do: an in-depth chiropractic consultation and evaluation including a computerized spinal exam, postural evaluation, and 70-pt muscle evaluation. When we’re finished, if we can help you we'll tell you right away, and if we can’t, we'll try to help you find someone who can.

Great Care & a Great Value:
You'll be glad to know that further care is very affordable - We bill most major health insurance, auto insurance, and labor & industries. We also offer easy payment options if you have little or no insurance coverage. And you can be sure that we'll treat you with the utmost care and respect in our office.

We're here to help!
Heather, our office manager, is fantastic & she's available to answer your questions and schedule your appointment.

This is your chance to find out what chiropractic is, how it works,
and how we can help you.

But remember, it's a limited time offer and i don’t want you to miss
out, so call Heather now at 206.860.9090 to schedule your appointment.

*By the way, i want you to know there is no pressure, obligation, or hidden fees associated with this offer.
Sincerely, Dr. Jared Kohler

Chiropractic Definition

theres a lot of misinformation about what Chiropractic actually is, so i thought id post the actual definition accepted by the Association of Chiropractic Colleges:
Chiropractic is concerned with the preservation and restoration of health, and focuses particular attention on the subluxation. A subluxation is a complex of functional and/or structural and/or pathological articular changes that compromise neural integrity and may influence organ system function and general health. A subluxation is evaluated, diagnosed, and managed through the use of Chiropractic procedures based on the best available rational empirical evidence.

A Simple Postural Change that can eliminate headaches, neck pain, and tension

Posture affects all human function, both consciously and unconsciously, from breathing to thinking. Most of us are familiar with the affects of posture on mood. A classic example: If you stand with your back hunched over and your head down, you'll begin to feel lousy. If you stand up tall with your shoulders back and chin up, you'll begin to feel better. Not only does posture affect your mood, but it affects the very function of your body as well.

"Spinal Pain, headache, bloodpressure, pulse, and lung capacity are among the functions most easily influenced by posture. The corollary of these observations is thatmany symptoms, including pain mayb e moderated or eliminated by improved posture." Am. Journal of Pain Management Vol 4. #1 Jan 1994.

One of the most destructive postural problems is FHP (or forward head posture). FHP is when your head is positioned out in front of your shoulders. It develops as a result of holding the chin toward the chest while reading, after rear-end car accidents, sleeping on your back with thick pillows under the head, and due to poor head positioning during computer use.

Why is FHP such a problem? Because it takes the natural curve out of the neck and significantly increases the stress on the spine, muscles, and discs. For every inch that your head is held forward the compressive forces placed on the spine increase 100%. When the spinal discs, and joints are subject to increased stress for a sustained period of time they begin to deform and permanent changes can take place. If left uncorrected, forward head posture can have serious health consequences.

"FHP leads to long term muscle strain, disc herniations, arthritis, and pinched nerves" Mayo Clinic Health Letter. Vol.18, #3, March 2000.

Heres how you can lessen the damaging effects of FHP:

First: Seek chiropractic care! Chiropractic corrective care can significantly reduce the effects of forward head posture on the spine. Gentle adjustments to the spine can help reduce spinal misalignments and stress and help restore the natural curve of your neck and bring your head back over your shoulders. Thereby significantly improve the integrity of the spine and nerve system.

Second: Avoid the "chin-to-chest" posture while reading. Instead, keep your head up, use a bookstand or simply bring reading material up to your eyes instead of your eyes down to the reading material.

Third: When using your computer, set the monitor at eye level so that when looking straight ahead, you gaze at the upper 1/3 or the monitor. Also, use a stand up clipboard or monitor clip for papers that you are working from so as to avoid bending and turning the neck to view papers that are flat on the desk. Many office supply stores have versions of paper stands or copy stands that attach to the computer monitor.

Forth: Use a headset when talking on the phone to avoid a sideways kink of the neck which occurs when you sandwich the phone between your ear and shoulder

Fifth: When sitting for long periods of time, take a moment ever :30 minutes and notice your posture. Then sit up straight, elevate your chest, and bring your head back over your shoulders. Every hour get up from the chair and stand with your back against the wall. Turn your palms forward and lightly squeeze your shoulder blades together. Press the back of your head gently into the wall, hold for 5 seconds and relax. walk away from the wall, but keep that chest elevated and head back over the shoulders. It's gonna feel strange at first, but your body will get used to it.

Maintaining good posture is a lifelong commitment. And its worth it! By making a few small changes in your posture and having great chiropractic care you're more likely to avoid the damage and degeneration that comes with spinal and postural neglect and instead have a healthy spine for a lifetime!