AK Newsletter Vol 1, No 7

The goal of applied kinesiology examination and the resulting treatment is to obtain lasting corrections, improving health. Some patients lose some of their effective corrections before they get to the reception area to pay for the treatment.

A common cause of this is foot dysfunction. The patient simply walks problems right back where they were before. This problem can be usually eliminated by concluding the new patient examination with the foot shock absorber test. (1) Simply strike the patient’s foot with several vectors of force and test a previously strong psoas muscle. If the psoas weakens, it is a positive test for foot dysfunction. In almost all cases there will be general muscle weakness when the patient stands because of failure of the positive support reaction. (2)

Application of several vectors of force for the shock absorber test.

Test further by being certain that the deltoid muscles are strong while seated, then have the patient stand and re-test the muscles. In most cases they will test weak. This is dramatic and instuctive for the patient. Next, have the patient evert the feet, standing on the lateral longitudinal arch. The deltoid will dramatically return to strength.

A. Cupped hand demonstrating relaxed foot. B. Flat foot demonstrating weight-bearing foot.

With your hand show the patient how the foot flattens when standing, thus stimulating nerve receptors in the bottom of the foot. In neurology this is called the positive support reaction (2) that turns on (facilitates) the extensor muscles, part of the standing mechanism. If the foot is not functioning correctly, stimulation of the nerve receptors is incorrect and causes confusion in the nervous system. Explain, “That is why your shoulder muscle went weak when you stood up. When you stood on the side of your foot it took the pressure off the nerve receptors and your shoulder muscle returned to strength.”

Continue to explain that it is more important than just standing and then going weak. Demonstrate a gait position and explain that in this position the muscles in the back of the shoulder should test weak and the muscles in the front should test strong, resulting in the arm swinging forward with the walking gait. Likewise the muscles in the hips, pelvis, and neck are turning on and off with each step. When there is disorganization in the nervous system due to foot dysfunction, the muscles are not contracting and relaxing at the proper time and sequence and a person will probably walk his/her problem right back in.

Explain, “We are interested in correcting your condition in as few visits as possible. Correcting your feet is one of the things necessary to accomplish stability of your corrections.” Further observations can be made depending on the patient. “This finding indicates you probably get tired after standing or walking or at the end of the day when you have been on your feet all day long.”

References:
1. Walther, D.S., Applied Kinesiology, Synopsis, 2nd ed. (Pueblo, CO: Systems DC, 2000), page 450.
2. Walther, D.S., Applied Kinesiology, Synopsis, 2nd ed. (Pueblo, CO: Systems DC, 2000), page 447.

One of the most common areas in the body for subluxations is the feet/ankles. This is also one of the most commonly overlooked and unsuccessfully adjusted areas.

It is not difficult to determine exactly how the bones of the feet should be adjusted. All one needs is an excellent knowledge of foot anatomy and the ability to use applied kinesiology challenge techniques. When associated muscles of the ankle and foot test weak by manual muscle testing, one can challenge the bones of the feet and ankles in various directions. When the proper vector of correction is found, the previously weak muscles will test strong. Standard techniques of adjusting the feet can often be applied with the challenge information to make the correction. The great advantage of applied kinesiology challenge is that it determines the individual characteristics of the subluxation. Sometimes it is necessary to modify or develop a different technique of adjusting the foot to obtain the correction.

The most common factor that causes the corrective effort to fail is not obtaining proper relaxation in the foot prior to the manipulative thrust. Only a small amount of force is required for effective correction when proper relaxation has been obtained. Most chiropractors can relate to obtaining proper relaxation when adjusting the cervical spine. It becomes almost intuitive to know when to apply the corrective thrust. Sometimes the doctor can feel the patient signal the proper time by a sensation of “letting go” as relaxation is obtained. Other times it is necessary to distract the patient from the cervical area by having him place his hands on the abdomen, or otherwise drawing attention away from the cervical spine.

Similar relaxation is required for the foot/ankle area prior to an adjustive thrust. Patients tend to hold the foot rigid while contact is being made prior to the adjustment. Sometimes it is adequate to simply ask the patient, "Let me have your foot; just make it loose." Other methods are to have the patient move the foot against resistance and then let go, or distract the patient by having him/her move an upper extremity. The latter is not as successful as when used to help relax the cervical spine, probably because moving the arm and shoulder toward the abdomen elicits reciprocal inhibition, causing the neck extensors — especially the upper trapezius — to relax. The same principle of reciprocal inhibition can be used to aid manipulation of the foot by asking the patient to move the foot in the direction opposite that of the manipulative effort, just prior to applying the adjustive thrust. An example is when the calcaneus is to be moved inferiorly and anteriorly, as is typically needed in a tarsal tunnel syndrome. Have the patient dorsiflex the foot, then return it to neutral. This causes reciprocal inhibition of the soleus and gastrocnemius.

A high percentage of patients have foot dysfunction as a contributing factor to their health problems. Effectively correcting the subluxation(s) in the feet and ankles is a significant step toward obtaining health. It is often necessary to give direct attention to the muscles that support the foot during dynamic function. These are often the ankle stabilizing muscles — the tibialis anterior and posterior, and the peroneous longus, brevis, and tertius. The intrinsic muscles of the foot are also frequently involved and need treatment to the neuromuscular spindle cells.

This is a 16 page pamphlet that gives an overview of AK. It helps explain the AK examination as adding information to the standard health examination and enables the patient to explain to friends and relatives the experience just encountered.

The pamphlet introduces the origin of AK in 1964 and its progression to an international discipline. The triad of health, muscle testing as a science & art, structural balance, challenge, therapy localization, general adaptation syndrome (GAS), nutrition, and lifestyle are presented.

Read the entire pamphlet as an Acrobat file on Systems DC's website as well as see other new brochures added to the collection.

Go directly to the pamphlet.

Read the pamphlet in Acrobat format.

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