The International College of Applied Kinesiology USA reserves the practice of applied kinesiology (AK) to those licensed as primary care doctors who have completed proficiency training in applied kinesiology.

The PAK® logo represents Professional Applied Kinesiology™ and is reserved for ICAK-USA doctors that have met specific requirements to qualify as a professional applied kinesiologist. The individual must be re certified every five years.

Systems DC supports the use of AK by those certified as PAK® proficient.

Research

Applied kinesiology is a system of functional neurologic examination. The examination results direct the physician toward proper types of treatment that may include techniques of chiropractic, osteopathy, medicine, nutrition, and acupuncture among others. There are thousands of research papers on methods of treatment that will not be discussed here. Research papers regarding treatment as well as those listed below can be obtained from the National Library of Medicine. Click on the link below for access.

http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/gw/Cmd

Motyka, T., Yanuck, S. “Expanding the Neurological Examination Using Functional Neurologic Assessment Part I: Methodological Considerations.” Int J Neuroscience, Vol. 97, 61:76 (1999)

Manual assessment of muscular function, in particular a method known  as applied kinesiology (AK), is a clinical measure of neurologic  function. A review of the literature reveals methodological problems  with previous studies of AK as a form of neurologic assessment.  Research designs that do not reflect clinical practice and  principles of AK are common in the literature. Additional study is  warranted to explore the potential of AK manual muscle testing as a  diagnostic tool. We outline principles of AK and recommend that  future research reflect more accurately the clinical practice of  functional neurologic assessment and applied kinesiology.

This is a comprehensive review of the existing literature on applied kinesiology. Some of the early studies reviewed provide evidence in support of applied kinesiology, some failed to corroborate clinical observations common to applied kinesiology practice. Flaws in research methodology inherent in these early negative studies are reviewed. Requirements for proper research methodology and for adequate skill level of practitioners are reviewed.

Schmitt, W.H., Jr., S.F. Yanuck, “Expanding the Neurological Examination Using Functional Neurologic Assessment: Part II Neurologic Basis of Applied Kinesiology.” Int Jn. Neuroscience, Vol. 97, Nos 1-2 77:108 (1999)

Functional Neurologic Assessment and treatment methods common to the practice of applied kinesiology are presented. These methods are proposed to enhance neurological examination and treatment procedures toward more effective assessment and care of functional impairment. A neurologic model for these procedures is proposed. Manual assessment of muscular function is used to identify changes associated with facilitation and inhibition, in response to the introduction of sensory receptor-based stimuli. Muscle testing responses to sensory stimulation of known value are compared with usually predictable patterns based on known neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, guiding the clinician to an understanding of the functional status of the patient’s nervous system. These assessment procedures are used in addition to other standard diagnostic measures to augment rather than replace the existing diagnostic armamentarium. The proper understanding of the neurophysiologic basis of muscle testing procedures will assist in the design of further investigations into applied kinesiology. Accordingly, the neurophysiologic basis and proposed mechanisms of these methods are reviewed.

Leisman, G., P. Shambaugh, A. Ferentz, “Somatosensory Evoked Potential Changes During Muscle Testing.” Intern Jn Neuroscience, Vol 45:143:151,(1989).

This study measured the way the central nervous system (brain) is functioning when muscles test strong versus when they test weak. Clear, consistent and predictable differences were identified in the brain between weak and strong muscle test outcomes. This supports the idea that manual muscle testing outcome changes reflect changes in the central nervous system.

Leisman, G., et al., “Electromyographic Effects of Fatigue and Task Repetition on the Validity of Estimates of Strong and Weak Muscles in Applied Kinesiology Muscle Testing Procedures.” Perceptual and Motor Skills.; Vol 80 963:977 (1995).

The paper compends six independent studies supporting the following: Muscles identified as “Weak” using applied kinesiology manual muscle testing methods are in a fundamentally different state than those identified as “strong.” Muscles testing “weak” kinesiologically are fundamentally different than muscles that are fatigued. The state of “weakness” identified is not attributable to fatigue. Applied kinesiology muscle testing procedures can be objectively evaluated via quantifying the neurologic electrical characteristics of muscles. The course and effect of applied kinesiology treatment can be plotted over time objectively.

Perot, C., R. Meldener, F. Gouble, “Objective measurement of proprioceptive technique consequences on muscular maximal voluntary contraction during manual muscle testing.” Agressologie. (Paris); Vol 32, No 10, 471:474 (1991).

This French study measured the electrical activity in muscles. It established that there was a significant difference in electrical activity in the muscle, which corresponded with the difference of strong versus weak muscle testing outcomes kinesiologically. It further established that these outcomes were not attributable to increased or decreased testing force from the doctor during the tests.

In addition, the Perot study showed that manual treatment methods used by applied kinesiologists to assess the level of tone of spindle cells in the muscle are in fact capable of creating a reduction in tone of the muscle, as had been observed clinically. This is a useful tool clinically, so the verification of its action is useful to doctors in clinical practice.

Esposito, V., G. Leisman, “Neuromuscular effects of temporomandibular joint dysfunction.” Int Jn of Neuroscience, Vol 68, 3:4 (1993).

This study demonstrated that the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has significant clinical effects on balance and coordination, and that problems of the TMJ contribute significantly to loss of neurologic control of mechanical function. This confirms a significant observation used by applied kinesiologists in assessment of patient function.

Esposito, V., G. Leisman, Y. Frankenthal, “Non-force manual therapeutic effects on disc herniation.” Jn Orth Medicine. Vol 19 No 3,71:77 (1997).

This study used “before and after” MRI scans to show that patients with significant herniated discs in the low back could be treated successfully using non-forced cranial adjusting techniques. The outcomes from this conservative applied kinesiology-based method were better than other conservative care methods.

Lawson, A, L. Calderon, “Interexaminer agreement for applied kinesiology manual muscle testing,” Perceptual and Motor Skills.; Vol 84, 539:546 (1997).

This study demonstrated significant interexaminer reliability for individual tests of the pectoralis major and piriformis muscles, but not for the tensor fascia lata or hamstring, which are essentially tests of groups of muscles at once. The primary importance of this study is that it demonstrates the reliability and reproducibility of muscle testing as a clinical tool, while also highlighting the need for clinicians to be aware of potential inaccuracies involved with the testing of some muscle groups.

Schmitt W.H., G. Leisman, “Correlation of applied kinesiology muscle testing findings with serum immunoglobulin levels for food allergies.” Intl J of Neurosci, Vol 96, Nos 3-4 (Dec 1998)

This study showed a high degree of correlation between applied kinesiology procedures used to identify food allergies and serum levels of immunoglobulins for those foods. Applied kinesiology methods in this study consisted of stimulation of taste bud receptors with various foods, and observation of changes in manual muscle testing that resulted. The patient was judged to be allergic to foods that created a disruption of muscular function. Blood drawn subsequently showed that patients had antibodies to the foods which were found to be allergenic through applied kinesiology assessment.