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Have you ever wondered why certain muscles seem a little more
on the weak side than others? Have you ever been curious why
some muscles can be so tight yet suffer from fatigue? Maybe one
side of your body has been suffering from symptoms but the other
side suffers from chronic underlying weaknesses. Have you had
not only the question of what has happened to your health but
also how did this occur? These are the same questions that
started the development of manual muscle testing in the mid 900’s. Manual muscle
testing is known as the science, art, and philosophy of evaluating a muscle for
strength and weakness not power. Sometimes a muscle can test weak without the
presence of tissue or muscle atrophy. In 1964 a chiropractor by the name of George
Goodheart discovered these muscle weaknesses with his patients and found nodules
at the origin of these weak muscles. Upon deep goading of these nodules, the
muscles would return to almost their normal strength. This discovery led to the
original system of Applied Kinesiology.
AK (applied kinesiology) is a system for evaluating body function that is unique in the
healing arts. Most practitioners who used muscle testing in the early development of
AK held the concept of a “weak” and “strong” muscle. In most cases, since the
muscles do not show signs of atrophy or other pathologic findings the result of a
manual muscle test does not depend completely upon the strength of a muscle but
how the nervous system controls the muscle.
Techniques used widely in AK for evaluation and treatment are: adjustments of the
spine, manipulation of the extremities, nerve receptor treatment, balancing of
meridians, and nutritional support. Although an evaluation using AK is very thorough,
it is emphasized to be only part of a patient’s “work up”. An examination should also
include a standard physical examination as well as a complete patient history. AK
findings and the other factors in differential diagnosis or examination should enhance
each other for the common good of the patient. The major contribution AK has made
to standard diagnostic procedures is the functional evaluation. Most standard
diagnosis is directed toward discovering and evaluating pathology. Many people will
pass the standard physical exam and still complain of headaches, fatigue, and other
general health problems. AK helps discover the reason for functional disturbances,
and suggests a direction for corrective therapy.
I learned in a seminar back in school that the first sign of a strength or motor loss is
pain. This is because the nerves that carry the sensation of pain carry the
information slower to the brain than that of the well functioning information carrying
nerve pathways. Therefore, with fatigue or weakness, pain is signaling to us that
something is not right with our body. Pain is more of a sensor going off verses a true
problem. I think that this is why 80% to 90% of patients who enter Bowie Chiropractic
do not have a specific onset for their initial area or areas of pain. Most conditions are
a slow progressive functional disorder rather than an immediate problem.
Each and every day practice is so rewarding using the system of AK. The functioning
of the body is such a complex system. It is so great to use a system of techniques
that narrows down a pathway for evaluating the windows of the nervous system.
Patients are always so amazed to see finally for themselves their personal immediate
functional weaknesses and learn how to strengthen these functional pathways with
passive and active types of care.
Dr. Kevin R. Bowie is a chiropractor certified in Applied Kinesiology. His practice in
Champaign includes manual muscle testing, spinal adjustments, pelvic and extremity
adjustments, interferential therapy, ultrasound therapy, manual muscle therapy, with
a primary focus upon spinal stabilization rehabilitation. Outside of the clinic, Dr.
Bowie spends much of his time preparing and leading seminars that educate the
community on the positive impacts that functional neurology, kinesiology and
chiropractic care have on patient health and well being. For more information, visit
http://www.bowiechiropractic.com.
on the weak side than others? Have you ever been curious why
some muscles can be so tight yet suffer from fatigue? Maybe one
side of your body has been suffering from symptoms but the other
side suffers from chronic underlying weaknesses. Have you had
not only the question of what has happened to your health but
also how did this occur? These are the same questions that
started the development of manual muscle testing in the mid 900’s. Manual muscle
testing is known as the science, art, and philosophy of evaluating a muscle for
strength and weakness not power. Sometimes a muscle can test weak without the
presence of tissue or muscle atrophy. In 1964 a chiropractor by the name of George
Goodheart discovered these muscle weaknesses with his patients and found nodules
at the origin of these weak muscles. Upon deep goading of these nodules, the
muscles would return to almost their normal strength. This discovery led to the
original system of Applied Kinesiology.
AK (applied kinesiology) is a system for evaluating body function that is unique in the
healing arts. Most practitioners who used muscle testing in the early development of
AK held the concept of a “weak” and “strong” muscle. In most cases, since the
muscles do not show signs of atrophy or other pathologic findings the result of a
manual muscle test does not depend completely upon the strength of a muscle but
how the nervous system controls the muscle.
Techniques used widely in AK for evaluation and treatment are: adjustments of the
spine, manipulation of the extremities, nerve receptor treatment, balancing of
meridians, and nutritional support. Although an evaluation using AK is very thorough,
it is emphasized to be only part of a patient’s “work up”. An examination should also
include a standard physical examination as well as a complete patient history. AK
findings and the other factors in differential diagnosis or examination should enhance
each other for the common good of the patient. The major contribution AK has made
to standard diagnostic procedures is the functional evaluation. Most standard
diagnosis is directed toward discovering and evaluating pathology. Many people will
pass the standard physical exam and still complain of headaches, fatigue, and other
general health problems. AK helps discover the reason for functional disturbances,
and suggests a direction for corrective therapy.
I learned in a seminar back in school that the first sign of a strength or motor loss is
pain. This is because the nerves that carry the sensation of pain carry the
information slower to the brain than that of the well functioning information carrying
nerve pathways. Therefore, with fatigue or weakness, pain is signaling to us that
something is not right with our body. Pain is more of a sensor going off verses a true
problem. I think that this is why 80% to 90% of patients who enter Bowie Chiropractic
do not have a specific onset for their initial area or areas of pain. Most conditions are
a slow progressive functional disorder rather than an immediate problem.
Each and every day practice is so rewarding using the system of AK. The functioning
of the body is such a complex system. It is so great to use a system of techniques
that narrows down a pathway for evaluating the windows of the nervous system.
Patients are always so amazed to see finally for themselves their personal immediate
functional weaknesses and learn how to strengthen these functional pathways with
passive and active types of care.
Dr. Kevin R. Bowie is a chiropractor certified in Applied Kinesiology. His practice in
Champaign includes manual muscle testing, spinal adjustments, pelvic and extremity
adjustments, interferential therapy, ultrasound therapy, manual muscle therapy, with
a primary focus upon spinal stabilization rehabilitation. Outside of the clinic, Dr.
Bowie spends much of his time preparing and leading seminars that educate the
community on the positive impacts that functional neurology, kinesiology and
chiropractic care have on patient health and well being. For more information, visit
http://www.bowiechiropractic.com.
by Dr. Kevin R. Bowie