surface meridians and muscles indicating the cause of the problem. For example,
the deltoid muscle in the shoulder shares a relationship with the lungs. If a person
has abnormal lung function, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, congestion, or the flu,
the problem may exhibit as a weakness in one or both deltoid muscles. When the
lung problem is cleared up, the deltoid muscle returns to a normal state.
Manual testing of the 576 muscles of the body is done to augment the other exami-
nation procedures. Muscle weaknesses are often so subtle that physical therapists
would consider the muscle strength to be within normal limits. No more than 15
percent difference should be discernable between the right and left sides. The testing
positions are intended to isolate the muscle from the group with which it normally
works, making it less strong than if it were used in the usual way. Small children,
the elderly, and the frail will not be as strong as a healthy adult. It is more difficult
to test a person who has great strength, such as an athlete, because the weakness is
too difficult to be distinguished by the tester.
A number of causes result in weak muscles, including immobility, lack of exercise,
poor posture, gland/organ dysfunction, dysfunction of the nerve supply, impairment
of lymphatic drainage, decreased blood supply, blockage of meridians, and chemical
imbalance. Testing of individual muscles is combined with knowledge of the basic
mechanics and physiological functioning of the body to provide practitioners with
information necessary to formulate a diagnosis.
Applied Kinesiology and Polarity Therapy practitioners believe that the body, mind,
emotions, and spirit are interdependent. It is believed that people are responsible for
their own health and that they can take simple steps to improve and maintain their
level of wellness. The practitioner’s role is to facilitate and support the client’s self-
healing capabilities.
Applied Kinesiology.
Applied Kinesiology uses various methods to strengthen those muscles and related
organs that were found to be weak during the diagnostic phase. Improvement in the
flow of energy can be measured by increased muscle strength, which is assumed to
lead to an increase in energy to the corresponding organs.
Neurovascular holding points are located mainly on the head. The practitioner
makes simple contact with the pads of the fingers for anywhere from 20 seconds to
10 minutes, depending on the severity of the problem. This method appears to
improve the blood circulation to both the muscle and the related organ, and the
weak muscle will have increased strength when retested.
Neurolymphatic points are located mainly on the chest and back. Practitioners work
on the points that are related to a specific weakened muscle by a deep massage of
CHAPTER 14 COMBINED MANUAL THERAPIES 181
