Research Behind Applied Kinesiology

Applied Kinesiology (AK) is a practical, hands-on way to check how well your body’s systems are communicating. It uses simple muscle testing to find hidden imbalances in nerves, muscles, organs, and energy flow. Many people wonder: “Is there real research behind it, or is it just guesswork?” The answer is yes, there is a solid, growing body of research. This post explains how AK developed, how its research works, and why it is different from typical medical studies. We will walk through the process step by step so you can see exactly how the science grows and why it matters for everyday health.

The International College of Applied Kinesiology (ICAK)

The ICAK is a professional group of licensed doctors who have completed advanced training in applied kinesiology. Its main job is to keep improving and expanding the scientific side of AK. The organization is open only to licensed primary-care providers (chiropractors, medical doctors, osteopaths, dentists, etc.) who have finished approved courses.

ICAK does three big things:

1. Runs continuing-education classes so doctors stay up to date.

2. Sets standards so every practitioner uses the same reliable testing methods.

3. Encourages and funds research at both the clinic level and the university level.

Because of ICAK, AK is not a scattered collection of ideas. It is an organized, self-correcting system that keeps getting better through real-world experience and careful study.

How Research in Applied Kinesiology Actually Works

All good science follows four steps: (1) experience, (2) hypothesis, (3) methodology, and (4) scientific conclusion. AK research follows this same path, but it starts in the exam room with real patients instead of a laboratory.

Step 1 – Experience (The Strongest Part of AK)

AK began with simple observation. In 1964 Dr. George Goodheart noticed that a patient’s weak shoulder muscle suddenly tested strong after he pressed on tender spots near the muscle’s attachment. That single observation became the first AK technique.

Another classic example is pain control. A patient with a painful broken collarbone said her pain disappeared when Dr. Goodheart tapped a specific acupuncture point. When he tapped a different point, the pain came back. He repeated the test on many patients and found a consistent pattern. This “serendipitous” moment led to a reliable method for turning pain off and on.

Every new AK technique starts the same way: a doctor sees something helpful in the office, tries it on the next ten patients, and notices it works again and again. These real-life successes are the fuel that keeps AK moving forward.

Step 2 – Hypothesis (Turning “It Works” into “Why It Works”)

Once a technique shows promise, doctors ask “Why?” They look for explanations in anatomy, neurology, or physiology.

In the pain-control example, Dr. Goodheart connected the tapping to the “gate-control theory of pain” (Melzack and Wall). Later researchers added newer knowledge about how the brain processes pain signals. The hypothesis is never set in stone. If new information comes along, the explanation is updated or replaced. This flexibility is one reason AK keeps improving.

Step 3 – Methodology (Making Sure It Works the Same Way Every Time)

A technique must be repeatable. The ICAK Board of Standards created a formal protocol so every doctor tests and treats the same way.

For the pain-control method, doctors learned exactly which point to tap, how many times, and when the technique is useful (trauma pain) versus when it is not (pain from a misaligned pelvis). Small differences in location or pressure can make the technique fail. Clear, step-by-step instructions ensure consistent results from one office to the next.

Step 4 – Scientific Conclusion (Testing and Refining)

AK uses two main kinds of research:

1. Basic research – done in universities to understand the nerve, muscle, and brain mechanisms.

2. Clinical research – done in real offices with real patients.

Because AK is patient-centered, time-series designs work especially well. A doctor measures a patient’s pain, range of motion, or energy level before treatment, applies the technique, and measures again. The pattern is clear: pain drops, motion improves, energy rises. The same patient can be tested multiple times (reversal design) or several patients can be tracked together (multiple-baseline design). These simple, practical studies fit naturally into a busy clinic and still give solid evidence.

Why AK Research Is Different from Typical Medical Research

Conventional medicine usually studies drugs or surgery on large groups with control groups and statistics. Natural healthcare focuses on how the whole body responds to stress, nutrition, and gentle corrections.

AK research therefore uses:

• Single-patient or small-group time-series designs

• Objective muscle testing before and after treatment

• Clear, repeatable protocols checked by the ICAK Board of Standards

This approach respects the philosophy that the body is self-healing when interference is removed. It also produces results that match what patients actually feel.

Common Challenges and How They Are Overcome

Early AK had two big problems:

1. A muscle would test strong one visit and weak the next.

2. Results sometimes did not last.

Doctors solved these by discovering factors that change muscle tests (touching certain body areas, eye position, etc.). These “variables” became useful diagnostic tools instead of annoyances. The ICAK Board of Standards now reviews every new technique for reproducibility before it is taught.

ICAK’s Role in Building the Science

• Publishes over 2,000 papers from members (short observations to full studies).

• Has boards that review new techniques and give them “accepted,” “provisionally accepted,” or “needs more study” status.

• Offers diplomate certification for doctors who complete advanced training and research.

• Sponsors university research grants.

Because of this structure, AK is not a collection of personal opinions. It is a living, self-correcting body of knowledge.

Why This Matters for Patients

When you come to our office, we do not guess. We use AK muscle testing, standard orthopedic and neurologic exams, and lab work when needed. The combination gives a clear picture of why you hurt, why you are tired, or why an old injury keeps returning. We then apply gentle corrections through adjustments, nutrition, or specific exercises and re-test to see immediate improvement. That quick feedback is one of the biggest advantages of AK.

Summary

Applied Kinesiology is built on honest observation, careful testing, and a willingness to update ideas when better information appears. The International College of Applied Kinesiology keeps the work scientific, reproducible, and patient-centered.

At Jones Chiropractic & Functional Medicine we use AK every day because it helps us find the real reason you are not feeling well and gives us a fast, gentle way to start fixing it. If you have been told “everything looks normal” yet you still feel off, an AK evaluation may reveal the functional imbalances that standard tests often miss.

Disclaimer: The content presented on this website serves educational and informational purposes and is not meant to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your doctor for any inquiries concerning medical conditions. Do not disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice based on information obtained from this website.