Not to be confused with the scientific study of movement, which is also called Kinesiology.

Kinesiology is a form of therapy that uses muscle monitoring (biofeedback) to look at imbalances that may be causing disease in the body. Kinesiology aims to detect and correct imbalances that may relate to stress, nutrition or minor injuries. Amongst other things, it treats the body’s systems through the manipulation of reflex points on the skin.

An important part of the practitioner’s approach is to test muscles. Each muscle has a related organ or gland which is also related to an acupuncture meridian, a nerve (which carries spinal fluid as well as nerve impulses) and both lymphatic and blood vessel reflexes. The practitioner will use a combination of manual stimulation of reflexes and acupuncture meridians, testing for nutritional deficiencies and adjustments of the body’s structure.

History

Modern kinesiology is a development of the discoveries of the chiropractor George Goodheart in the 1960s. Goodheart noted that muscles could be switched on or off as a result of imbalances in the body. These could be due to trauma or abnormal function in the structure, chemistry or elecrical systems of the body.

Over the years he developed and taught his system, which is known as Applied Kinesiology. There are now many different versions with names like Systematic Kinesiology, Body Talk, Brain Gym and Behavioural Kinesiology. There is also a version designed for home use called Touch For Health.