(This Wellness Feature is presented by Dr. Richard Hanson, located at Southern Tier Chiropractic, in the Medical Arts Building, 500 Pine Street, Jamestown. He can be reached at 716-664-0445. Most major insurances are now accepted)
People ask, “I’ve heard you use Applied Kinesiology (A.K.) with Chiropractic. How does it work?” Simply put, Applied Kinesiology, through manual muscle testing, seeks out muscular strengths and weakness. Because of muscular imbalances around a joint, (for example, along the spinal column, hip, shoulder, knee, etc.), that joint’s alignment will have a tendency to slip out of position. When that happens, pain, inflammation, bursitis, tendonitis, and arthritis can ensue. A.K., via muscle testing, helps find out which muscles around a joint may be weak. Treatment is then geared toward re-strengthening that muscle. This, in addition to the realignment of skeletal bones with a chiropractic adjustment, can lead to longer lasting results. Then, after therapy is completed, muscle testing can be redone, to see if the muscle function has improved.
An interesting point to be made here concerns the neurologic association between our muscles and internal organs. Each nerve that exits the spine has multiple functions. Our nerves instruct our muscles how to work, and at the same time, these same nerves also direct our internal organ functions as well. For example, if our lungs are impaired for some reason, (possibly from smoking, bronchitis, or the flu), then the deltoid muscle in the shoulder may also show impairment, because it is influenced by the same nerve as our lungs. With this reflexive relationship between muscles and organs in mind, a Chiropractor practiced in Applied Kinesiology has another tool to ascertain dysfunctions in our health. Applied Kinesiology then, (in addition to general exam procedures such as physical examinations, orthopedic, x-ray and lab work), is a useful adjunct in diagnosing neurologic dysfunction. It’s a little bit like an electrician checking out the fuse box to better understand the electrical circuitry of the house. And with more diagnostic information, your therapy can be more detailed as well. The treatment of Chiropractic and Kinesiology can include chiropractic manipulation, cranial-sacral technique, soft tissue techniques, reflexology, acupressure, exercise, nutrition and dietary management.
So, consider Chiropractic and Kinesiology as your next choice of healthcare, for Holistic Care based on your own personal blueprint for health and wellness.
