Historical
Overview
of
Applied Kinesiology
Applied
kinesiology (A.K.) had its beginning in 1964, when Dr. George Goodheart
made a discovery that was fundamental to the manipulative practice
of the healing arts. He observed in a young man with a severe "winging"
of the scapula, a dysfunction of the serratus anticus muscle. After
palpating very tender "nodules" on the insertion of this
muscle, and, after only a few seconds of deep pressure, improved muscle
function followed, eliminating the patient's problem. Goodheart found
that some muscles could be treated the same way to improve posture.
This was the first applied kinesiology procedure developed, and was
termed "origin and insertion technique."
The innovative
development of applied kinesiology was directed toward correcting
structural imbalances caused by poorly functioning muscles. Previous
to this, the majority of practitioners directed their attention toward
the hypertonic muscle. Goodheart found that by treating the hypotonic,
or inhibited, muscle, changes in body posture could be observed quickly.
Originally, the main objective in restoring normal function to the
hypotonic muscle was to relieve the opposite hypertonicity, improve
posture, and support chiropractic adjustments of the spine, pelvis
and other articulations.
Although Goodheart
was trained as a chiropractor, his proficiency also included many
other conservative procedures such as meridian therapy, osteopathic
cranial technique and clinical nutrition. Diet and life-style changes
were part of his whole approach. More important was his knowledge
of anatomy, physiology and biochemistry, as these formed a strong
basis for which the application of existing techniques could be employed
with more logic. Goodheart also studied the findings of other investigators,
ultimately showing an interrelationship within not only the body's
structure, but the chemical and mental components as well.
He found, for
example, that Chapman, an osteopath, observed various reflex points
on the body related to specific organs and glands. Goodheart observed
that these "neurolymphatic" reflexes also correlated with
specific hypotonic
muscles, which could be easily tested. If the sartorius muscle, for
instance, is inhibited, and the Chapman reflex point for the adrenal
gland was stimulated, improved function of the sartorius muscle would
sometimes follow. Through basic diagnostic tests, such as postural
blood pressure evaluation, and other clinical signs and symptoms,
improved adrenal function was presumed. These and other findings demonstrated
a clinical relationship between muscles, and organs and glands previously
not observed.
Subsequent investigation
into the work of another osteopath, Sutherland, and two chiropractors,
DeJarnette and Bennet, added more to the knowledge of A.K. Eventually,
nutrition and meridian therapy, with its acupuncture points treated
by digital stimulation, were correlated with muscle inhibition. Combined
with this massive collection of information were other diagnostic
procedures, including blood and urine tests, x-ray, ECG, blood pressure,
etc. The hypothesis that muscles were related to other areas of the
body gave the A.K. doctor another important diagnostic tool. This
was the first step in evaluating patients in a more unique way.
While most patient
complaints usually don't stem from any discerning disease, these individuals
are not in robust health. These gray area problems were seen as functional
disturbances. Evaluating them required more than the standard blood
test and x-ray. What was now developing was a method of evaluating
functional illness in a clinical setting.
The addition of
proper muscle testing as an aid in diagnosis became a great asset
in helping the doctor evaluate the functional status of the whole
patient. And, its use in determining which specific therapies - spinal
adjusting and cranial techniques, meridian therapy, nutrition and
other forms of physiologic therapeutics - are best for a given patient
has proved successful in clinical practice. Equipped with all this
information, the doctor now had a "toolbox" of diagnostic
and therapeutic devices from which he may carefully choose to apply
to a given patient.
The muscle testing
procedures used in A.K. are mostly derived from Kendall and Kendall's
text, Muscles - Testing and Function (Kendall, F.P. & E.K., and
McCreary, Third Edition, Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1983),
and serve to isolate specific muscles. Through these diagnostic testing
procedures, the function of a patient can be evaluated, rather than
merely checking the power of the muscle. This is now referred to as
"muscle testing as functional neurology."
As more chiropractors
became interested in A.K., the group officially established itself
in the summer of 1974 as the International College of Applied Kinesiology
(ICAK). John Thie, D.C., who encouraged the development of a formal
professional organization, became the first chairman, and Dr. Goodheart
the first research chairman, a position he retains today.
Because of his
clinical expertise, Goodheart was chosen to become a member of the
United States Sports Medicine Committee of the U.S. Olympic Team during
the 1980 winter games in Lake Placid, NY. He was the first non-medical
practitioner to hold such a position. Since then, various ICAK members
have established unique methods of treating athletic problems, associating
this with established exercise physiology protocol.
Throughout the
world today, there are thousands of doctors in all professions - chiropractic,
dentistry, medicine, osteopathy, and podiatry - from many countries
practicing A.K. The ICAK has chapters in the U.S., Australia, Europe,
and Canada, with hundreds of seminars being taught by certified teachers.
Since the organization
of the ICAK, there have been over 2,000 clinical research papers published
by, and for, its membership. These serve as a means of communication
within the group, and range from single page clinical observations
to extensive, well-documented procedures of examination and treatment.
The regular meetings provide clinical forums, including workshops,
panel discussions, as well as Goodheart's most recent research. Other
clinicians in the field of dentistry, nutrition, psychology and medicine
have also done studies on, or are using, applied kinesiology. These
procedures have found new applications for diagnosing and treating
patients with many varied conditions.
The ICAK has a
number of publications. The A.K. Review serves as the official international
journal. In addition, the Health Capsules is an educational vehicle
for patients and lay audiences, helping them to understand the latest
in health, fitness and nutrition. A unique aspect of the college is
membership involvement in privately authored research reports. These
are published by the ICAK as The Proceedings of the Summer and Winter
Meetings. Available only to members, these are the members' own observations
and clinical research. There have also been numerous texts published
outside the ICAK, authored by its members, which demonstrate the vast
scope of A.K. In addition to Dr. Goodheart's yearly research manuals
is Applied Kinesiology, Volume I and 11, and Applied Kinesiology -
Synopsis, by David Walther, D.C. Two books by Walter Schmitt, Jr.,
D.C. on clinical nutrition and glandular dysfunction, three books
by Philip Maffetone, D.C. on exercise and sports, and a pre-natal
care book by Michael Allen, D.C., N.M.D. are among other fine works.
The ICAK has a
long history of support for basic and clinical science research. It
has funded hundreds of thousands of dollars in research at various
colleges, universities and clinics. The Research Advisory makes available
research funds for editorial review, statistical analysis and research
design. Among the dozen peer reviewed published studies is the Spring
1989 issue of The International Journal of Neuroscience, showing the
motor changes which take place in the brain during muscle testing.
The whole of ICAK's research, while not a definitive body of knowledge,
serves as a viable foundation of framework for ongoing investigation.
Through the efforts
of the ICAK - U.S.A., a non- profit research foundation has been established.
The Foundation for Allied Conservative Therapies Research (FACTR)
will add to the process of quality research in applied kinesiology.
ICAK-U.S.A.
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