Dr. Elizabeth’s MAGIC - Applied Kinesiology
What is Applied Kinesiology?
Applied Kinesiology (AK) is an interdisciplinary approach to health care, which draws together the core elements of complementary therapies, creating a more unified approach to the diagnosis and treatment of functional illness.
Applied Kinesiology was developed in the 1960s by chiropractor Dr. George J. Goodheart, Jr., and later formalized through the International College of Applied Kinesiology® (ICAK).
AK is a system that evaluates structural, chemical, and mental aspects of health using manual muscle testing combined with other standard methods of diagnosis. This is known as the triad of health.
The combined terms “applied” and “kinesiology” describe the basis of this system, which is the use of manual muscle testing to evaluate body function through the dynamics of the musculoskeletal system. Treatments may involve specific joint manipulation or mobilization, various myofascial therapies, cranial techniques, meridian and acupuncture skills, clinical nutrition, dietary management, counseling skills, evaluating environmental irritants and various reflex procedures.
Triad of Health
The triad of health lists the three basic causes of health problems. They are structural, chemical, and mental, with structure as the base of the triad. Literally, all health problems, whether functional or pathological, are involved with one part or all parts of the triad. This is not new to chiropractic, as its founder, D.D. Palmer states in his text, “The Science, Art, and Philosophy of Chiropractic,” “The determining causes of disease are traumatism, poison and autosuggestion.” AK enables the doctor to evaluate the triad’s functional balance and direct therapy toward the imbalanced side or sides.
How I Use Applied Kinesiology in My Practice
In my practice, Applied Kinesiology serves as a foundational assessment tool that guides how and where the body needs support. Based on what shows up in the test kit, I will muscle test muscles that correlate with specific organs, systems, and physiological pathways. I also use clinical judgment to assess muscles associated with a client’s primary concerns, whether physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual, to understand why a muscle is not functioning optimally.
This process allows me to identify underlying neurological, biochemical, structural, or emotional stressors contributing to imbalance, rather than focusing solely on symptoms.
Applied Kinesiology in my work is often combined with Quintessential Applications (QA) and Injury Recall Technique (IRT) to further refine the order and priority of care.
Quintessential Applications (QA) is a neurologically and biochemically driven clinical framework developed by Dr. Walter Schmitt and Dr. Kerry McCord. It provides a hierarchical roadmap for care using Applied Kinesiology to determine what the nervous system needs addressed first, next, and last. QA integrates structural, chemical, neurological, and nutritional considerations to support optimal physiological function and reduce clinical stress.
Injury Recall Technique (IRT), developed by Dr. Walter Schmitt, is used to identify and clear residual neuromuscular patterns associated with past injuries, trauma, or surgeries that may still be influencing movement, posture, or pain. Even when an injury has healed structurally, the nervous system can continue to “guard” the area. IRT helps interrupt these patterns, allowing the body to restore proper neurological communication and function.
Together, these tools allow Applied Kinesiology to be used as an intelligent, responsive system, guided by nervous system feedback, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
LIFE WAS MEANT FOR THRIVING
XOXO
DR. ELIZABETH
