Muscle testing is often equated with Applied Kinesiology; however, they are not the same. Applied Kinesiology is an interdisciplinary approach to health care that uses several methods to assess problems as well as treatments. Muscle testing is one of those methods and is noninvasive as compared to a laboratory test, MRI, or x-ray. Muscle testing involves a practitioner and client or just an individual who is self-testing.
Because there are a number of ways to muscle test individuals, the question arises as to which method is the most effective. The simplest answer is the one that the practitioner and client feel the most comfortable with, and that gives correct data. The problem with the answer is that any method could do that depending on the practitioners and clients involved with the testing.
We should, first, take a quick look at several of the muscle testing methods. In each case, questions are asked in an effort to gain information. These questions have “true” or “false” or “yes” or “no” answers.
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Raised arm while standing up – With this method, the client stands up with his arm extended either away from his side or his front. The practitioner checks the strength of the muscle by gently pressing down on the wrist of the client.
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Raised arm while lying down – The client raises his arm above his body at a slight forward angle. Again, the practitioner will apply gentle pressure downward on the client’s wrist.
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Pulling on looped fingers – This can be accomplished with self-testing or a practitioner and client. The object is to gently try to break the circle of looped fingers.
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Crossing the fingers – With this self-test an individual takes the index finger and presses down on the middle finger of the same hand to test the middle finger’s strength.
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Crossing the ankles – This is done by one who is self-testing and trying to uncross the ankles when checking muscle strength.
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Crossing the knee with the ankle – The individual, from a seated position, crosses one knee with the opposite ankle. The object is to see if the ankle can be pushed off of the knee.
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Swaying forward or backward – This method is also used for self-testing. In answering questions, the body will sway backward for “no” or “false” and forward for “yes” or “true.”
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Twitching finger – This is a much subtler form of muscle testing. One or more fingers can be instructed to twitch to indicate answers to questions.
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Nodding of the head – An individual is utilizing the up and down “yes” movement and shaking from side to side “no” movement of the head to get answers.
There are more than just these few methods that are utilized in testing the muscles. The total number that could be used may not be known as there are new ones added from time to time.
A practitioner should try several of these methods to determine which one he feels will give him correct data. The object of the muscle testing is to get accurate information not prove who is stronger. The client also should feel comfortable with the chosen method, as well. Each needs to be open-minded and not assume information in any testing situation.
An individual, wanting to do self-testing, should also try several of the methods and find the one that works best for her. After all, she is after accurate information too.
Because individuals vary in methods and responses, there is no one answer. Practitioners, clients and self-testers alike need to utilize various methods until they determine which method works best for them.
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