The triad is represented by an equilateral triangle with structural health as its base, and the upright sides representing chemical and mental health. When a person experiences poor health, it is due to an imbalance in one or more of these factors, all influencing one another.

The triad of health is interactive, and all sides must be evaluated for the underlying cause of a problem. A health problem on one side of the triad can affect the other sides. For example, a chemical imbalance may cause emotional and mental symptoms. Applied Kinesiology enables the practitioner to neurologically evaluate the triad's balance, and direct therapy toward the imbalanced side or sides.

The origin of Applied Kinesiology is traced to 1964 when Dr. George J. Goodheart, a chiropractor in Detroit, first observed that postural distortion (for example, head tilt, high shoulder, high hip) is usually associated with muscles that test weak. He found that by applying the appropriate therapy, the muscle would test strong and the postural distortion would change.

The College was founded in 1976 by a group of chiropractors who had been teaching others in Applied Kinesiology. The purpose of the College is to promote research and the teaching of AK. It is a professional association dedicated to bringing together doctors with common interests and goals.

In addition to the ICAK-U.S.A. chapter, in the mid 1980s, the organization grew into chapters representing Australia, Canada and Europe. In late 1996, the European chapter was re-organized; Germany, Italy, England (U.K.), Scandinavia and Belgium/Luxemburg are all recognized as having official status. Many more chapters are being added each year from other countries all around the world.

It takes hundreds of hours of study and years of practice to perfect the multitude of diagnostic techniques that have been developed in AK. In fact, any AK practitioner will tell you that he or she is constantly refining and developing manual muscle testing skills and the interpretation of the test result.

At first glance, muscle testing appears easy, fascinating and impressive. Yet, the ability to test muscles requires specific techniques, sensitivity and objectivity. Once the muscle testing skill has been developed, it becomes necessary to interpret the outcome of the test, in conjunction with other means of healthcare evaluation. Interpreting the results requires the years of training that qualifies one as a licensed physician. Therefore, applied kinesiology is only taught to persons licensed to diagnose in the health care field.

To practice AK, one must take a basic course that takes over 100 hours of classroom study and practice to complete. A basic proficiency exam in AK must be passed at the end of the course. A diplomate, through further education, represents the highest level of training and certification in AK.

Does applied kinesiology replace standard examinations?

Applied kinesiology is used in addition to standard diagnostic measures to help determine the cause of a health problem. For example, with certain conditions like hypoglycemia, there will be muscle patterns of weakness or strength found with AK, since the same nerves that go to an organ also connect to a nearby muscle, (somato-visceral reflex). However, these same patterns could be present because of another nervous system problem such as disease or some type of adaptation. Only an adequate history of the person, together with standard examination procedures and laboratory findings, will indicate the proper treatment course.

An applied kinesiology examination provides additional information for the chiropractor, and can help to determine what further care may be necessary. This can result in a more effective diagnosis while at the same time reducing health care costs.