Systematic Kinesiology
By Geoff Powell
Systematic Kinesiology has its roots deep in the practice
and approach endorsed by the International College of Applied
Kinesiology based in the United States. Practitioners use
muscle testing to evaluate the underlying causes of symptoms.
All evaluation and correction techniques used are subject
to stringent research and evaluation procedures. A.S.K.
graduates undergo a two-year training course. Kinesiology
works to identify the main cause of disturbance in the presenting
symptoms whether structural, emotional or nutritional in
origin. Once having identified the main cause of a problem
the use of the appropriate technique or combination of the
three elements is employed to bring about a resolution of
symptoms. In order to give an example of the three areas
three short case histories are detailed.
Structural
The presenting problem with this man, aged 57, was his
inability to raise his arms above shoulder height without
extreme discomfort and continuing levels of pain that required
the constant use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs) -principally Co-proxamol. Vertical range of movement
was only about 45%. He had been a heavy goods vehicle driver
but had been unable to work for the previous 12 years and
was a registered invalid. Extensive tests, X-rays etc and
physiotherapy had been unable to diagnose or alleviate the
problem.
On the first treatment muscle testing revealed weakness
in deltoid/anterior deltoid/neck muscles. However, full
treatment on this occasion was not practical because of
the level of pain he experienced and inability to place
the arms into testing positions. Corrections to those muscles
showing weak were made by working on appropriate neurolymphatic
and neurovascular reflexes.
The second treatment followed a week later and although
there had been some mild improvement there really had been
no change in the range of movement of his arms. On this
occasion because of his inability to test because of pain
a "*surrogate" was used. On this occasion the
correction I wished to make was a shoulder release technique
often used with seized shoulders or post frozen shoulder
immobility.
However, because it requires moving the arms to almost
full range to effect the release this could not be done
on the client. In the more unusual situation where a technique
cannot be applied to a client then it is appropriate to
effect the technique on the surrogate while maintaining
contact with the client. This seems to work rather like
using the surrogate as an entry point on a computer to re-programme
the information to the client. The correction was to work
on the inner edge of the scapulae with pressure to the spine
while raising the arm on inspiration. This was done on both
arms.
After applying this technique to the surrogate -with a
certain amount of incredulity on the part of the client-
he was then asked to try the vertical range of movement.
He was able to accomplish almost 95% movement without pain.
He was seen for a third and final occasion a fortnight
later and still retained full range of movement and had
stopped using NSAIDs. Some further release work was carried
out on individual muscles and a course of L-Glutamine recommended
to help deal with gut inflammation following prolonged use
of the anti-inflammatories.
*One of the most valuable tools in kinesiology is the use
of another person as a surrogate when, for whatever reason,
a muscle test cannot be undertaken on the client. The surrogate
makes a skin contact with the client and when the surrogate's
muscles are tested they will reflect muscle imbalances present
in the client.
Emotional
This young man aged 25, presented with serious anxiety
problems, agoraphobia, palpitations and panic attacks. He
had a severe problem in coping with crossing bridges made
more of a problem as his work entailed crossing from the
mainland to the island of Anglesey. On the last occasion
he had done this he had experienced such extreme difficulties
that he couldn't cross back from the island. He had accomplished
this eventually by drinking a large volume of alcohol and
crossing back on the floor of a taxi. He had subsequently
been away from work for three months. He was currently using
Beta blockers.
His stated aim for the treatment was to be able to handle
crossing bridges and consequently resume work.
The most immediate presenting problem was his hyperventialtion
pattern and acute fear that he would have some form of heart
attack during his panic attacks. Relevant breathing information
and a breathing relaxation tape started him working with
this area. Re-framing the information that the panic attack
was simply a physiological fight/flight response designed
to protect the body from danger rather than threatening
him helped reduce his anxiety in relation to the panic attacks.
He was also encouraged to practise some basic brain integration
techniques on a daily basis to help lessen panic moments,
improve his thinking and co-ordination.
Kinesiology contains a number of stress release techniques
and these were applied to helping him look at the fear involved
in crossing the bridge. Emotional Stress Release (ESR) using
neurovascular forehead points took him through the last
experience of crossing the bridge and emphasing the point
that getting off the island, in the way he did, was creative
problem solving and not a sign of weakness.
His belief in his ability to achieve the goals he had set
himself was strengthened using a simple affirmation technique
reinforced using basic affirmations and reinforced by stimulating
acupunture point S.I.3. (Small Intestine 3 )
Allowing him to set his own goals we went next and looked
at a second, less threatening, bridge crossing to the island.
Before going he used the ESR technique and visualised the
anxieties he might experience and also what he felt he would
gain from the occasion. At the bridge the same ESR technique
was used plus acupuncture points St 1 ( Stomach 1 ) to help
release the build of tension he was experiencing. Correct
breathing avoiding hyperventialtion was also emphasised.
This pattern continued for four further occasions until
he felt ready to cross the less threatening bridge. This
was achieved successfully crossing and re-crossing four
times. The Telford bridge, on which he felt more exposed,
was then treated in the same way. He was encouraged to set
his own goals until finally this bridge was crossed.
Once this had been achieved crossing and re-crossing both
bridges was done on a regular basis before he finally returned
to work.
Nutritional
This young woman of 25 presented with severe asthma/hayfever
symptoms which had troubled her since she was 6 years old.
She had allergic reactions to cats/horses/feathers. She
was 3 stone over her desired body weight and was experiencing
fatigue/joint pains/stomach pains/nausea. All symptoms were
more severe around her period time.
A simple analysis of her diet indicated some clear nutritional
imbalances. She consumed an average of 6 cans of diet cola
per day, was a regular sugar and chocolate user and a moderate
smoker. Also a weekend alcohol drinker. Apart from her asthma
ventilator she was not taking any current medication.
Initial muscle testing results indicated low adrenal response
with a hypoglycaemic pattern, Candidiasis and wheat intolerance.
She agreed to eliminate the diet coke, cut out as many sugars
as possible and in order to help lessen the impact on her
diet a de-sensitisation technique for her wheat intolerance
was carried out. This required eliminating wheat from her
diet for four complete days with subsequent moderate use.
To assist adrenal function Vitamin C 1g per day/Zinc 45mg
per day and B-complex 100mg per day were tested. She was
also asked to stimulate acupuncture points to assist adrenal
function. To help cut back Candida Nutriscene Candidcurb
1 was used containing thyme, licorice, lapacho, black pepper,
cayenne, tumeric and goldenseal.
On her subsequent visit a de-sensitisation to cat fur was
made. She had stayed off sugars and cola. She had almost
cut out cigarettes. Stomach pains/nausea had stopped. She
felt general improvement and had lost some weight.
To balance Candida activity a full probiotic was added
to re-balance gut flora. After the Candida clearance joint
and muscle pains resolved and her allergic reactions to
cats had almost resolved. Her adrenal and blood sugar pattern
stabilised and her levels of energy improved. At this time
she also began to experience greater freedom in her breathing
and frequency of asthma attacks.
Her period pattern was still continuing to present some
problem so Magnesium at 200mg was tested and recommended
along with Vitamin B6 at 100mg.
Over the period of a year she continued to maintain her
diet and also started to exercise regularly. Having passed
through the last summer with minimal hayfever symptoms and
not requiring the use of anti-histamine medication she feels
she has experienced a major improvement. She had also lost
over 2 stone in weight.
About the Author:
Professional background: Geoff Powell trained originally
as Touch for Health Instructor in 1986 and became a graduate
member of the Academy of Systematic Kinesiology in 1990.
He has specialised in stress management training and has
been a facilitator for the Gwynedd Health Trust's mental
health care unit stress management courses since 1994. He
runs stress management seminars for business and caring
agencies. He was originally trained as an Iyengar yoga teacher
and has been teaching since 1976. He conducts residential
courses both in the UK and abroad. He is a member of the
British Complementary Medicine Association (BCMA) and (ISMA)
the International Stress Management Association (UK).
Contact details:
Geoff Powell
Treddafydd
Waunfawr
Caernarfon
Gwynedd
LL55 4EZ
Tel: O1286 650647.
Email: gp@imagenet.prestel.co.uk
Prof. Association:
Academy Systematic Kinesiology (A.S.K.)
39 Brown's Road
Surbiton
Surrey
KT5 8ST
