Muscle Testing: Revealing the Body's Hidden Language

From a functional medicine practitioner’s perspective, understanding the root cause of a patient’s health concerns is essential for effective and personalized care. One valuable diagnostic tool that has gained popularity among chiropractors and functional medicine practitioners is muscle testing, also known as Applied Kinesiology (AK).

The Purpose of Muscle Testing

The human body is a complex system with an innate ability to heal itself when properly supported. However, it’s not always easy to determine what’s causing imbalances or dysfunction. That’s where muscle testing comes in.

Muscle testing is based on the principle that the body’s muscles are connected to specific organs and systems through the nervous system, creating a network of communication between muscles and internal functions. By evaluating the strength and responsiveness of these muscles, practitioners can identify underlying imbalances or stressors that may affect a patient’s overall health.

How Chiropractors Use AK

Chiropractors use muscle testing as part of a holistic approach to patient care, focusing on the relationship between the body’s structure, function, and well-being. When combined with other diagnostic tools, muscle testing can provide valuable information about a patient’s condition and help guide treatment plans.

During a muscle testing session, the chiropractor will apply gentle pressure to a specific muscle, while the patient resists the force. If the muscle is weak or unresponsive, this may indicate an issue related to the corresponding organ or system. The practitioner then uses this information to develop a customized care plan that addresses the root cause of the problem.

For example, if muscle testing reveals weakness in a muscle associated with digestion, the chiropractor may recommend dietary changes, supplements, or adjustments to support the digestive system. Similarly, muscle testing can help identify structural imbalances or misalignments that may cause pain or discomfort, allowing the chiropractor to provide targeted adjustments to restore proper function.

Help for Leaky Gut

In a recent YouTube video, Dr. Case shares how she uses muscle testing to check a patient for leaky gut. According to our chiropractor, when you have a leaky gut, it’s necessary to plug up those holes and make the gut whole again.

“Leaky gut can be caused by any number of things, such as antibiotics, medication, or foods,” she said. With the patient in this video, Dr. Case placed a vial with an energetic signature of milk on it. When she tries to have the patient resist, there’s no strength, which reveals that milk is likely an issue for him. To address the leaky gut, she provided the patient with supplements and put him on an elimination diet.