Kinesiology = Science of Movement. Kinesiology originated in the 1960s as a system of natural health care that combines muscle testing and monitoring to assess energy and body function. By applying a range of gentle yet powerful healing techniques it has been fund to improve health, wellbeing and vitality. Practitioners undertake years of training to be able to access the movement of energy - or what the Chinese call Chi - around the body and brain. Their understanding is that the body is already aware of what it needs to heal. What Kinesiology practitioners are able to do in a therapeutic sense, is to help the body process that information in order to aid the natural healing process.

What Styles of Kinesiology are Available

There are many different styles of Kinesiology and they can generally be divided into three groups:

1) Applied Kinesiology, used by Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Medical Doctors and Dentists.

“Applied kinesiology is a system of diagnosis that utilizes the manual muscle testing response as a reflection of the status of the anterior horn motor neuron pool of the muscle being tested. The fundamental objective of this new system of diagnosis is the evaluation and correction of nervous system irritation through the application of "natural therapies" designed to remove noxious irritants and restore normal neurological expression, thereby aiding in the promotion of health and the prevention of disease." Kerry McCord & Walter Schmitt,“Quintessential Applications: A(K) Clinical Protocol" (St. Petersburg, Florida: HealthWorks!, April 2005).

2 ) Traditional Kinesiology is mainly used within the Physiological, Physiotherapy fields and works apon the principles of biomechanics and exercise.

3 ) Specialised Kinesiology is the main type of Kinesiolgy used in “natural medicine". The main difference between Applied and Traditional Kinesiology and Specialized/Energy Kinesiology is that Specialized Kinesiology often uses a "Straight Arm muscle test" and ask verbal "Yes and No" questions where as the other two types don’t.

What exactly does a Kinesiologist do?

Kinesiologoists examines the body as a whole instead of a series of ailments. They work on a ‘muscle testing" application which, in its self, will allow them to access which muscle groups are affected and how they apply to the rest of the body. They feel that if allowed, the body can heal itself, but at time, just needs a little assistance. This can be in the form of relaxation, massage, osteopathy, physiotherapy etc. They feel that the relationship between the quality of movement and overall human is very important and this is studied very closely.

Who can benefit from Kinesiology

Kinesiology can be used for pain relief, stress, depression, digestive upsets, fatigue, back pain, allergies, nervous disorders, sports injuries, and general wellbeing. Kinesiology can be used on a broad spectrum of ailments and basically where, as the result of injury, emotional trauma, nutritional or other unresolved stress, the energy flow is interrupted and the whole body is affected, kinesiology can and will be beneficial.

During treatment patients generally remain fully clothed. It is advised that patients receive a series of treatments to see a beneficial change although some report improvement after one session. Sessions usually require a minimum of 30 minutes and are usually totally pain free.