Dr George Goodheart Jr. DC is a Chiropractor in the USA. Dr Goodheart is the "Father" of Applied Kinesiology who in the 1960's discovered that muscle testing could be used to gather information from the body. He has published many papers on Applied Kinesiology.
Highlights

George Goodheart Jr DC is the Research Director of the International College of Applied Kinesiology.

He has been in active practice as a Chiropractor for over 50 years in Detroit and Groose Pointe, Michigan. He has written and lectured since 1964 on Applied Kinesiology.
Dr Goodheart was the first Chiropractor to serve on the U. S. Olympic Medical Committee in 1980.

Quotation from Dr Goodheart:- "Get people better and they will send more new patient's to you than you can treat".

About Dr. Goodheart

In 1964, he made the first correlation between finding a weak muscle and making it stronger. Since then he has looked beyond the Chiropractic profession to the fields of Medicine, Osteopathy, Acupuncture, Dentistry, Nutrition, Biochemistry, etc.. for methods to increase the health and well being of the patient based on using the body as a diagnostic tool.

He has a unique way of looking at a problem and asking "Why?" This has allowed him to correlate many different types of examination and treatemnt procedures into a unified method of examining and then treating many difficult patients. Today, he still works in his office and lectures many week-ends of the year. He travels from Europe to Japan and lectures throughout the United States. He produces a monthly research tape as well as a yearly manual on the latest findings in Applied Kinesiology.

What comprises an examination using Applied Kinesiology?

The process begins with a detailed questioning of the patient to uncover clues as to what may be going on. Generally, problems can be related to chemical imbalances, structural imbalances or mental stress or any combination of the above. After this general examination procedures are used to assess the health of the patient. For example, changes in blood pressure from lying to sitting to standing can indicate imbalances in the body. This is followed with specific examination procedures used by the practitioner. For example, in a musculoskeletal problem, skin sensitivity, knee reflex or balancing can help to uncover problems. After these tests are performed, an evaluation of the strength of the muscles is performed. There are many causes of muscular weakness and different procedures may be used to uncover the cause. At the end of all of these different but important parts, the information is correlated to establish a treatment program.

What is the Education of Someone Doing Applied Kinesiology?

Applied Kinesiology is performed by health care professionals. First, they have their basic education is what ever field they practice. For example, they might be a medical doctor, osteopath, chiropractor or a dentist. They then study Applied Kinesiology in a post graduate setting usually in weekend classes. The basic course takes over 100 hours of classroom study and many hours of study and practice at home. A basic proficiency in Applied Kinesiology is tested for at the end of this basic class. Continuing classes are taken to reach the next step where a diplomate exam, a complete understanding as shown by a written and oral test, is taken. To attain this level, over 300 hours of classroom study are required along with the writing of at least two research papers.

Is Applied Kinesiology muscle testing?

A professional using Applied Kinesiology tests muscles therefore utilizing muscle testing as a tool to confirm his/her normal examination findings. Muscle testing has often been misused as a tool and oversimplified by many. Correct training is necessary for a practitioner to become competent

Does Applied Kinesiology replace standard examinations?

NO. Applied Kinesiology is used as a further tool to help define what is going wrong or what imbalances are present. For example, in some conditions like hypoglycemia their will be specific muscle Weakness patterns that can be found. However these same weakness could be there because of a nerve problem Only an adequate history of the person, coupled with standard examination procedures and if needed laboratory findings allow a proper treatment of the person. The use of Applied Kinesiology procedures speeds the examination process and helps to rule out other possible causes of the persons health problems.

Applied Kinesiology can be Divided Into Two Distinct Parts. One is an aid to diagnosis. Muscle testing is used help diagnose what is functioning abnormally. This can be a problem with the nervous system, the lymphatic drainage, the vascular supply to a muscle or organ, a nutritional excess or deficiency, a problem with the cranial-sacral - TMJ mechanism, an imbalance in the meridian system or a host of other problems. Testing individual muscles in an accurate manner and determining what effects the relative strength of the muscle when combined with knowledge of the basic mechanics and physiological functioning of the body helps to more accurately diagnose what is going wrong. The second part of Applied Kinesiology involves the treatment phase. here, Dr. Goodheart and others in the International College of Applied Kinesiology have adapted different treatment methods to the problems that have been diagnosed. From nutrition to chiropractic manipulation to osteopathic cranial techniques to acupuncture - meridian therapies to myofascial techniques to nervous system coordination procedures to some of the latest theories in medicine involving control of the vascular and nervous system may be employed to balance the malfunction found in the patient. Applied Kinesiology borrows from many different disciplines and through the use of accurate, scientific muscle testing, in addition to the basic knowledge of the practitioner, helps direct the care to exactly what the patient's needs are instead of what the practitioner does. *****************************************************************************************

The following article is used with kind permission of Dr Donald McDowall DC, a Diplomate of the ICAK and a Chiropractor from Canberra, Australia - refer his website www.chiroclinic.com.au

APPLIED KINESIOLOGY - UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN FUNCTION

Dr George Goodheart DC, a Chiropractor from Detroit, Michigan, developed his theories and encapsulated his findings with the name Applied Kinesiology.

Applied Kinesiology recognises that there are three approaches to helping the human being. We compare this to a triangle with three sides. The base of the triangle is compared to the structural characteristics of the body. One side of the triangle is the mental and psychological part, and the other side the chemical and nutritional part.

Triad of Health

Various practitioners concentrate on one side of the triangle. A few may integrate various portions from time to time. It is the goal of the International College of Applied Kinesiology to provide awareness, understanding and training to functionally interpret and use each side of the triangle where it is necessary for the well-being of the patient. This way the Doctor does not have to adjust every bone from occiput to coccyx when it is not necessary, or when another cause may be involved, such as nutritional deficiency or an emotional disorder. The perfect interplay of each side of the triangle is the goal of the Applied Kinesiologist. To be able to interpret body language using manual muscle is an art that takes experience, practice and open-mindedness.

The Applied Kinesiological Understanding of the Intervertebral Foramina and Its Contents.

Through the research and observations begun by Dr Goodheart, we are now able to assess the changes that take place in an individual when an adjustment is given. We understand four more factors emit from the intervertebral foramina with the nerve. These are a lymph node reflex, a vascular nerve reflex, an acupuncture meridian reflex, and a cerebral spinal fluid reflex. The neurological component can be measured accurately using the challenge mechanism. This may provide an interpretation of the sensory nerves in the joint, ligaments and other soft tissue areas, as well as the immediate nerve root. Being able to measure the irritation, or release of irritation in this capacity provides for an accurate analysis and the specific adjustment to eliminate the cause.

Neuro-Lymphatic Reflexes

The NeuroLymphatic Reflex (NL) of the intervertebral foramen is also understood and recognised by Applied Kinesiologists. In the 1930's an Osteopath by the name of
Dr Frank Chapman DO, discovered various reflexes on the front surface of the body and vertebral levels that could be stimulated with a firm pressure to produce a change in the lymphatic drainage of an organ. He correlated and documented these at that time. These areas were further researched and validated by Dr Goodheart to co-ordinate with various muscles, as well as the specific organs. Where this treatment was previously used on a empiric symptomatic basis, it can now be evaluated to the specific organ and muscle relationship that is needed. This connection between the nervous and lymphatic system is controlled at the level of the intervertebral foramen.

Neuro-Vascular Reflexes

Dr Terrence Bennett DC, a Chiropractor in California who observed pulsations on different areas of the head that had a different rhythm than the arterial pulse observed the NeuroVascular Reflex (NV), also in the 1930's. He found that these pulses were the remnant of a neurological feedback system on the surface of the body before birth. The circulation of the foetus is controlled by expansion of the blood vessels and neurological feedback mechanisms on the surface of the body that stretch and relate the information to the central nervous system concerning the supply of blood needed as an area grows (before the heart develops). By the third month this system becomes secondary in function to the heart, which has now completed its development in respect to circulatory control. Dr Bennett observed that the reflexes were still in existence on the head areas and occasional body areas of an individual throughout their life and provided an immediate feedback mechanism to various organs to increase circulation as body growth and development continues through life. By stimulating these reflexes he found he could increase the circulation of organs and improve vascular response. Dr Goodheart correlated this information to muscle testing and organ function.

Acupuncture Meridians

The Acupuncture Meridian Reflexes are also controlled by the central nervous system, through the associated points on the Bladder Meridian. These points have a connection to the intervertebral foramina and provide the master control for the acupuncture system. Most acupuncture treatments are effective on a temporary and repetitive basis, unless the associated vertebral level is changed to coincide with the other treatment. Dr Goodheart has correlated the Meridian System and Manual Muscle Testing.

CerebralSpinal Fluid

The Cerebral Spinal Fluid or CSF encases the central and peripheral nervous system and provides a buffering mechanism, hormonal transport, nutritional transport and protein resource for the nervous system. Interruption in the pressure changes of this system can impede full neuronal activity and produce subluxations at various vertebral and cranial levels. The information regarding changes to the cerebral spinal fluid flow has been correlated and researched to enable a concise diagnostic and therapy application using manual muscle testing.

Dr Goodheart's contributions to the application of manual muscle testing, as incorporated in the work of Applied Kinesiology, are widespread within the chiropractic profession and are taught on a post-graduate level.


Some Publications that Attribute Credit to the Chiropractic Profession for its Development of Applied Kinesiology are:

"The Clinical Management of Head, Neck and TMJ Dysfunction - A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Diagnosis & Treatment"; edited by Harold Gelb DMD; published by Saunders; copyright 1977

"Killing Pain Without Prescription - A New & Simple Way to Free Yourself from headache, Backache & Other Sources of Chronic Pain"; Harold Gelb DMD, & Paula M. Siegel; published by Harper and Row; copyright 1980

"The Food Connection- How the Things You Eat Affect the Way You Feel & What You Can Do About It"; David Sheinkin MD, Michael Schachter MD, & Richard Hutton, with an introduction by Dr Carlton Fredericks; printed by Bobbs-Merrill; copyright 1979

"Feed Your Kids Right - Dr Smith's Program for Your Child's Total Health"; Dr Lendon Smith MD; printed by McGraw-Hill; copyright 1979

"Free Yourself From Pain"; Dr David E. Bresler, Director of the U.C.L.A. Pain Control Unit; published by Simon & Schuster; copyright 1979

"Wholistic Dentistry"; Dr John K. Char DDS; private publication; copyright 1980

"Dental Kinesiology"; George A. Eversaul PhD; private publication; copyright 1977

"A Visual Encyclopaedia of Unconventional Medicine - The Health Manual for the Whole Person"; published by The New English Library; copyright 1979

"The Eclectic Approach to Chiropractic"; Fred Stoner DC; private publication; copyright 1975

"Applied Kinesiology - The Advanced Approach to Chiropractic"; David S. Walther DC; private publication; copyright 1976.

"Behavioural Kinesiology"; Dr John Diamond MD; published by Harper & Row; copyright 1979.

"Touch for Health"; Dr John Thie DC; De Vouss & Co; copyright 1974

Copyright © 1998, 1999. This newsletter has been produced by Dr Donald McDowall of the Macquarie Chiropractic Clinic, Canberra Australia and is copyright to Cosmos Pty Ltd (ACN 008 593 173). When this document is reproduced in any format this copyright statement is to always accompany the article.

[Disclaimer: This newsletter is produced in good faith and is general in nature. You are advised to seek professional advice about your specific health needs. The author, his agents, Cosmos Pty Ltd and Macquarie Chiropractic Clinic accept no responsibility for damage or injury sustained through the use of this information.]