Applied Kinesiology(AK) is a practice of using manual muscle-strength testing for medical diagnosis and a subsequent determination of prescribed therapy. It gives feedback on the functional status of the body.

What occurs during a typical office visit?
Applied Kinesiology is a system that evaluates structural, chemical, and mental aspects of health using manual muscle testing alongside conventional diagnostic methods. The essential premise of applied kinesiology that is not shared by mainstream medical theory is that every organ dysfunction is accompanied by a weakness in a specific corresponding muscle, the viscerosomatic relationship. Treatment modalities relied upon by practitioners include spinal manipulation, myofascial, cranial and meridian therapies, clinical nutrition, and dietary counseling.
A manual muscle test in AK is conducted by having the patient resist using the target muscle or muscle group while the practitioner applies a force. A smooth response is sometimes referred to as 'a strong muscle' and a response that was not appropriate is sometimes called a 'weak response'. This is not a raw test of strength but rather a subjective evaluation of tension in the muscle and smoothness of response, taken to be indicative of stresses and imbalances in the body. A weak muscle test is equated to dysfunction and chemical or structural imbalance or mental stress, indicative of a body dissatisfied with suboptimal functioning. The most common test is the arm-pull-down test, or "Delta test." where the patient resists as the practitioner exerts a downward force on an extended arm. Proper positioning is paramount to ensure that the muscle in question is the prime mover, mimimizing interference from adjacent muscle groups.
"Nutrient testing" is used to examine the response of a patient's
muscles to assorted chemicals. Gustatory and olfactory stimulation are said to alter the outcome of a manual muscle test, with previously weak muscles being strengthened by application of the correct nutritional supplement, and prevoiusly strong muscles being weakened by exposure to harmful or imbalancing substances or allergens.

What is Applied Kinesiology?
Applied Kinesiology (AK) is a system that evaluates structural, chemical and mental aspects of health using manual muscle testing with other standard methods of diagnosis.
The doctor using AK finds a muscle that is unbalanced and then attempts to determine why that muscle is not functioning properly. The doctor works out the treatment that will best balance the patient's muscles.
Treatments may involve specific spinal manipulation or mobilization, various myofascial therapies. cranial techniques, meridian and acupuncture skills, clinical nutrition, dietary management, counseling skills, evaluating environment irritants and various reflex procedures. One of the great advantages in using applied kinesiology is the ability to affect performance. Examples of this range from increasing the breathing capacity in endurance athletes to increasing the accuracy of those sports requiring eye-hand or eye-foot coordination.

Describe what is included in an AK examination?
Applied kinesiology interactive assessment procedures represent a form of functional biomechanical and functional neurologic evaluation. The term "functional biomechanics" refers to the clinical assessment of posture, organized motion such as in gait, and ranges of motion. Muscle testing readily enters into the assessment of postural distortion, gait impairment and altered range of motion. During a functional neurologic evaluation, muscle tests are used to monitor the physiologic response to a physical, chemical or mental stimulus. The observed response is correlated with clinical history and physical exam findings and, as indicated, with laboratory tests and any other appropriate standard diagnostic methods. Applied kinesiology procedures are not intended to be used as a single method of diagnosis. Applied Kinesiology examination should enhance standard diagnosis.

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 access 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 muscle is performed. There are many causes of muscular weakness and different procedures may be used to uncover the cause. At the end of all these different but important parts, the information is correlated to establish a treatment program.

What is the education of someone doing Applied Kinesiology?
Applied Kinesiolgy is performed by health care professionals. First, they have their basic education in whatever 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 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.