Dr.
Blumenthal and the Applied Kinesiology Center of Los Angeles treat a
wide variety of patients and ailments. We combine many diversified technique's
and methods.
Many
people are discovering the benefits of using natural healthcare instead
of, or along with, conventional (allopathic) western medicine. Applied
Kinesiology (AK) integrates the best of chiropractic, clinical nutrition,
and acupuncture with the best of western biochemistry and neurology
to meet the needs of people with today's most complex and difficult
health problems.
Applied
Kinesiology
Applied
Kinesiology can be divided
into two distinct parts.
One
is an aid to diagnosis. Muscle testing is used help diagnose what is
functioning abnormally. This can be a problem with the nervous system,
the lymphatic drainage, the vascular supply to a muscle or organ, a
nutritional excess or deficiency, a problem with the cranial-sacral
- TMJ mechanism, an imbalance in the meridian system or a host of other
problems. Testing individual muscles in an accurate manner and determining
what effects the relative strength of the muscle when combined with
knowledge of the basic mechanics and physiological functioning of the
body helps to more accurately diagnose what is going wrong.
The second part of Applied Kinesiology involves the treatment phase.
Here, Dr. Goodheart and others in the International College of Applied
Kinesiology have adapted different treatment methods to the problems
that have been diagnosed. From nutrition to chiropractic manipulation
to osteopathic cranial techniques to acupuncture - meridian therapies
to myofascial techniques to nervous system coordination procedures to
some of the latest theories in medicine involving control of the vascular
and nervous system may be employed to balance the malfunction found
in the patient.
Applied
Kinesiology borrows from many different disciplines and through the
use of accurate, scientific muscle testing, in addition to the basic
knowledge of the practitioner, helps direct the care to exactly what
the patient's needs are instead of what the practitioner does.
How
does Applied Kinesiology work?
Applied
kinesiology looks at balance within your body's triad of health - chemical,
mental and structural factors - to understand and correct health problems.
The triad is represented by an equilateral triangle with structural
health as its base, and the upright sides representing chemical and
mental health. Neurology forms the backbone of the triad, bringing it
to life in 3 dimensions. When a person experiences pain, dysfunction,
or poor health, it is due to a problem in one or more of these areas
affecting the others. For example, low blood sugar may make someone
cranky or a pinched nerve may cause muscle pain. Applied kinesiology
helps the doctor evaluate the triad and direct therapy toward the imbalanced
side or sides. An applied kinesiologist looks at the individual parts
of the triad and the relationship among them to better understand why
a health problem exists, how and where it began, and what the best way
is to correct its causes instead of just covering up its symptoms. The
triad of health is interactive and all sides must be evaluated for the
underlying cause(s) of a problem.
Applied
kinesiology uses muscle testing as a primary feedback mechanism to examine
how a person's body is functioning. In general, the applied kinesiologist
finds a muscle that tests weak and then attempts to determine why that
muscle is not functioning properly. In some cases, the examiner may
test for environmental or food sensitivities by using a previously strong
muscle to find what weakens it. At the hands of a skillful doctor, AK
diagnosis can determine the best forms of treatment for the specific
patient at that time. This is important because we are dynamic, living,
growing creatures. Just as your needs may be different from someone
else with similar symptoms, you may also have different needs at different
times as your health changes. These therapies may include specific joint
manipulation or mobilization, various myofascial therapies, cranial
techniques, meridian therapy, clinical nutrition, dietary management
and various reflex procedures. Since AK draws together the core elements
of many complementary therapies and provides an interdisciplinary approach
to health care, it is not surprising that around the world chiropractors,
osteopaths, medical doctors, dentists, and in some places, acupuncturists
and naturopaths are trained in and use Applied Kinesiology.
What
comprises an examination using Applied Kinesiology?
The
process begins with a detailed questioning of the patient to uncover
clues as to what may be going on. Generally, problems can be related
to chemical imbalances, structural imbalances or mental stress or any
combination of the above. After this general examination procedures
are used to assess the health of the patient. For example, changes in
blood pressure from lying to sitting to standing can indicate imbalances
in the body. This is followed with specific examination procedures used
by the practitioner. For example, in a musculoskeletal problem, skin
sensitivity, knee reflex or balancing can help to uncover problems.
After these tests are performed, an evaluation of the strength of the
muscles is performed. There are many causes of muscular weakness and
different procedures may be used to uncover the cause. At the end of
all of these different but important parts, the information is correlated
to establish a treatment program.
Does
Applied Kinesiology replace standard examinations?
NO.
Applied kinesiology diagnosis is used in addition to standard diagnostic
methods, beginning with a careful medical history and physical examination
including orthopedic and neurologic tests. Laboratory tests, and imaging
studies (such as xrays or MRIs) are also used when needed to help determine
the cause of a health problem. Applied Kinesiology is used as a further
tool to help define what is going wrong or what imbalances are present.
For example, in some conditions like hypoglycemia their will be specific
muscle Weakness patterns that can be found. However these same weakness
could be there because of a nerve problem Only an adequate history of
the person, coupled with standard examination procedures and if needed
laboratory findings allow a proper treatment of the person. The use
of Applied Kinesiology procedures speeds the examination process and
helps to rule out other possible causes of the persons health problems.
Is
Applied Kinesiology muscle testing?
A
professional using Applied Kinesiology test muscles therefore utilizing
muscle testing as a tool to confirm his/her normal examination findings.
Muscle testing has been misused as a tool and oversimplified by many.
When an AK doctor uses muscle testing, they are looking at specific
muscle function at the level of stretch and tension receptors, neurological
pathways and biological function, as well as meridian-muscle and segmental-muscle
correlations.
I
had someone touch a spot on me and then test a muscle. It was weak.
Then I held a bottle of pills and was told I needed them. Is that Applied
Kinesiology?
To
tell if you need to take a supplement requires knowledge of your symptoms,
examination for known physical signs of imbalances, a dietary history,
possibly blood analysis and then the Applied Kinesiology examination
can help to determine what is missing and should be supplemented. In
classical AK, nutrients are usually tested in your mouth, since that
is where the gustatory chemical receptors reside. Over the years many
other approaches have developed which are not consistent with this and
are not considered "standard AK".
What
is the education of someone doing Applied Kinesiology?
Applied
Kinesiology is performed by health care professionals. First, they have
their basic education is what ever field they practice. For example,
they might be a medical doctor, osteopath, chiropractor or a dentist.
They then study Applied Kinesiology in a post graduate setting usually
in weekend classes. The basic course takes over 100 hours of classroom
study and many hours of study and practice at home. A basic proficiency
in Applied Kinesiology is tested for at the end of this basic class.
Continuing classes are taken to reach the next step where a diplomate
exam, a complete understanding as shown by a written and oral test,
is taken. To attain this level, over 300 hours of classroom study are
required along with the writing of at least two research papers.
Are
there courses on Applied Kinesiology and who can take them?
There
are organized courses in Applied Kinesiology being taught in Europe,
Canada, the United States, Asia, and Australia. Locations, dates and
content can be found in the section on seminars. These classes are open
to health care professionals with a license to diagnose and to those
enrolled in a professional school leading to a degree and license to
diagnose (MD, DC, DO, DDS, OMD, ND).
Can
anyone with minimal training do Applied Kinesiology?
No.
You would no more trust a lay person to prescribe medications or perform
surgery than to trust a non-professional to deal with your health problems.
Applied Kinesiology procedures are used to further investigate a patient's
problem and depend upon a basic understanding of anatomy, physiology,
biochemistry, neurology, and pathology. Muscle testing used alone without
a proper education in the health sciences is no better than a psychic
reading.
Where
is the International College of Applied Kinesiology and what is its
history?
The
College was founded in 1976 from a group of doctors who had been teaching
classes. The purpose of the College is to promote research and teaching
of Applied Kinesiology. It is composed of professionals with a common
goal. There is no actual building but the organization exists as do
others in the health care field to bring together doctors with common
interests and goals. In the mid 1980's, the organization formed regional
chapters representing Europe, Canada, Australasia and the United States.To
reach the websites for ICAK and ICAK-USA, the United States chapter
of ICAK, see the Links section.
Who
is George Goodheart, D. C. and what did he do?
Dr.
Goodheart is the man who discovered the importance of weak muscles and
their clinical implications. He started these discoveries in 1964 and
has researched, lectured and written about them since. Dr. Goodheart
has been an inspiration and leading force in chiropractic for most of
the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Among his myriad credits,
in 1980 he was the first doctor of chiropractic to be named to the US
Olympic Committee. To learn more click here to jump to a page about
him.
What is Touch For Health?
Dr.
John Thie, an original student of Dr. Goodheart, felt that the procedures
in Applied Kinesiology could be simplified for use by the general public.
He wrote and organized the most basic material in Applied Kinesiology
and began teaching this to anyone who was interested. Basically, Touch
For Health procedures are reflex stimulation methods based on the very
early work, 1964 - 1971, of Drs. Goodheart and Thie. Touch For Health
is a wonderful system of self-care, designed for normal people to be
able to help take care of themselves and their families. Dr. Blumenthal
was certified as a Touch For Health Instructor in 1989. If you would
like to learn Touch For Health, call the office and let Dr. Blumenthal
know.