Applied Kinesiology a summary for the layman.
What is Applied Kinesiology (AK)?
Applied Kinesiology is a form of chiropractic that encompasses six main factors, that when used together help to heal many patients. The first factor of the six traces the nerve pathway from the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system. The second factor is attributed to the lymphatic system, which runs to and from the muscles. The third factor is the vasculature / blood supply and circulation running to and from the muscle. The fourth factor is the meridians/ magnetic field pathways. The fifth factor is The Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) flow. The sixth factor is nutrition.
The first factor is the structural base model and is the traditional understanding of chiropractic. This factor was established by D.D. and B.J. Palmer, who were founders of chiropractic. The central idea of this model is that there is a bone out of place, leading to a misalignment in the structure of the body. This misalignment can cause undue pressure on the nervous system, be it the central nervous system or peripheral nervous system. Either way, you get a malfunctioning muscle. If the problem is in the central nervous system, then the muscle will often be overreactive. If the problem is in the peripheral nervous system, the muscle is often underactive. Once the structure is adjusted properly, it creates a relief of tension on the nerve, and communication is immediately restored to and from the muscle. If the adjustment is done properly then you will see an immediate response in the muscle’s activity and strength.
The job of the lymphatic system is multilayered, but relates to the immune system and the proper movement of fluid and water from the muscles. If there is a breakdown in function in the lymphatic system, it’s the equivalent of putting a potato in the tailpipe of a vehicle. (If you’ve never done this, I’ll save you the time and damage, and tell you the vehicle won’t start.) This is because the vehicle can’t get rid of the exhaust and waste that builds up in your engine block. This same idea happens with the muscles! Some of the things that can cause blockage in the lymphatic system are muscles that are put under chronic tension, but could also be the result of a disruption in fascial tissue. On a cellular level, each cell is constantly creating waste that needs to be cleaned out through the intercellular matrix. Once waste reaches the lymphatic system it can be disposed of by the kidneys, via the urinary system. If the cells get overwhelmed with the toxic load of an improper functioning lymphatic system, they become highly stressed and cease to function properly. Oftentimes there are key points where muscles will accumulate waste, and it is the job of the practitioner to find these points, and by means of acupressure, unclog the lymphatic ducts. When this is accomplished there is an immediate response in the muscle, and its strength is restored. The restoration of full strength is the indicator that we are searching for as we perform these different interventions.
The third factor is the vascular system, this is a somewhat controversial factor. When you trace the vasculature of the muscle, it begins at the heart and extends to muscles in the periphery. The majority of the work that is performed in this factor actually occurs on the cranium/skull. There are key points on the skull that are related to vascular disfunction in the muscle. Regardless of the theory behind this method, and the controversial way in which we achieve our results, there are immediate muscular changes in strength when put into practice. One of the theories is that the points on the skull that are being stimulated are related to how the fetus grows in the mother’s womb. At one point we were made up of one cell, and as we grew into trillions of cells, many of the relationships were maintained due to the generation of that first cell becoming many. As a result, although we are stimulating points on the skull, it is theorized that these points were connected and developed in embryo. This is often why you can experience pain in one location, but the root of the problem is in a completely different location in the body.
The fourth factor stems from Chinese medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years. In Chinese medicine this factor is known as qi (pronounced chee). Through my time spent in learning the Chinese language and in living in both Taiwan and China, I began to understand the full meaning of qi. It was also when I began to study physics that I was able to make the connection between the Chinese understanding of qi, and what was happening in the physical sense through energy. Through the study of qi, the Chinese were able to observe the magnetic fields that exist in the body, and chart them. These fields are related to the nervous tissue and the nervous system. In Physics, anytime that you have electricity running through a line of wire, you have a corresponding magnetic field that surrounds the wire in a clockwise fashion. As long as electricity is traveling through the wire there is a corresponding magnetic field surrounding that wire. Electricity is not magnetism, and magnetism is not electricity, but both are influenced by the other. An increase of electricity passing through a wire increases the magnetic field. Similarly, as the body continues to send and receive signals via the nerves, there is a magnetic field. Through my observation, I believe that sometimes we can stimulate the nerve to increase the amount of electricity that is sent to a particular point, via tapping. This jumpstarts the magnetic field energy to properly travel throughout the body. Once the magnetic energy is flowing properly, you get a restoration of magnetic flow to the muscle. Although Eastern medicine seems out there, it is simply because it is difficult for our Western culture to understand, but it does not mean there is no merit. As we study it further, we will begin to understand the reasoning and logic of thousands of years of development.
The fifth factor has to do with cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). In order for neurons in the central nervous system to function properly, they must be constantly bathed in CSF. This is how neurons move waste throughout the body. The mechanism that pumps CSF flow throughout the central nervous system is the craniosacral pump. This is activated through breath and walking. The baseline function of the craniosacral pump is through breathing. As we stand erect and walk throughout our day, we augment the effects of the craniosacral pump. Through my clinical experience thus far I have noticed that disruptions in the craniosacral pump typically manifest through head trauma. If there are disfunctions in the craniosacral pump, it will manifest itself through deep inspiration or deep expiration (meaning the breath). This is usually corrected by craniosacral therapy. Again, the results of this therapy, if effective, is seen immediately.
The sixth factor is nutrition. It is no mystery that there are a number of different nutrients that muscles need to contract, chief among them being calcium. There are also others, but for simplicities sake, it is best to know that various muscles need various levels of nutrients to function optimally. In AK there are a number of muscles that are related to different organs, and when certain organs aren’t receiving adequate nutrition from the blood supply, this problem is reflected through muscle weakness. Although at first glance, this may seem outlandish, the relationship between organs and muscles can be traced back to embryonic development. Suffice it to say, when certain organs are deficient in vital nutrients that are needed to perform their daily tasks, there can be a secondary symptom seen in the muscles. Hence, when certain muscles are weak, it can be related to trauma to that muscle, or a problem with the organ related to that muscle, and insufficient nutrition. I have seen first-hand an immediate return of strength to muscles when they were provided with essential nutrients.
As I review these six factors of Applied Kinesiology, I am reminded of the parable of the six blind men who are all touching a different part of an elephant and describing the beast that they feel. It is only when the seeing man comes that they get a full picture of all the parts of the whole elephant. In comparing this analogy to AK, right now we are only seeing six different parts of the body, and while there is evidence to support the benefits of all of them and their implementation, we are still waiting for the seeing person to connect it all together. I’m sure with additional time, learning, and advances in science, this will eventually happen and there will be a unification of the entire body that simplifies the practice of AK. In the meantime, as I await the seeing man, I will embrace what I know about the body, acknowledge what I do not know, and persevere, being open to further development and knowledge that results in better health for me and my patients.
Works Cited
Walther, D. S. (1988, September 26). Applied Kinesiology Synopsis (2nd ed.). Triad of Health Publishing.