Kinesiology

I first learned of Kinesiology around two years ago when a friend was diagnosed with certain food intolerances by a practitioner of this system.  At the time I did not ask many questions about their experience of treatment although my friend did tell me that the practitioner placed various food extracts on his body whilst carrying out certain tests.  I had been carrying around this vague impression of what Kinesiology involved until only recently when I bumped into a neighbour who sang very high praises for a Kinesiologist who they had recently been seeing. The Kinesiologist had apparently helped them to overcome a number of problems including depression.  Through my initial contact with Kinesiology I had believed it to be a form of allergy testing and nutritional advice, and yet I now discovered that this was not the case.  Speaking to my neighbour also highlighted the fact that I had been badly mispronouncing the word ‘Kinesiology’ for more than a year (correct pronunciation: ‘kin-easy-ology’).  It started to become apparent that I was no authority on this subject and decided to find out first hand what Kinesiology was all about.  

I shortly arranged to visit Kay Avalon, a Kinesiologist practicing in Nailsea near Bristol.  Kay was kind enough to send me some information of the history and practice of Kinesiology and so I was able to put to rest some misconceptions that I had managed to create prior to going for a treatment.  

Kinesiology uses a system of muscle testing to discover imbalances within the client.  The philosophy behind this system is that your muscle responses can provide important feedback on various aspects of your structural, emotional, and energetic self.  Through the introduction of different stimuli a Kinesiologist is able to isolate problems within an individual and provide guidance and intervention to help rectify the issue.  (For a more detailed description of Kinesiology please visit our Therapy Information pages).

Kay also sent me a ’patient questionnaire’ relating to various things including my medical history, dietary and exercise habits, and what I wanted to get out of the treatment.  Kay used this to develop a treatment plan, which was adapted after my initial consultation at the clinic.  Gathering this information prior to my visit allowed Kay to form a general framework with which to work with, although I was to discover that this framework was by no means rigid.  During my initial consultation I was asked to write down a few issues that I felt were a priority to me at the time and these were to be considered later during the treatment.  After this I was directed to the treatment couch where I was asked to lay down (fully clothed).  Kay explained that prior to the session she had ‘balanced’ herself so that any imbalances within her would not be attributed to me during the treatment.

Kay then explained the process of muscle testing which is fundamental to Kinesiology.  The arm that is used during the tests is called the ’Indicator Muscle’ as it is indicating answers to the questions asked of the patient.  I was asked to hold the arm in it’s current position when Kay applied pressure, and my ability to do this gave her an indication of how well my body is processing various messages and functions.  Different stimuli introduced by Kay (for example by varying the finger used, the position of contact, and the introduction of foreign bodies) allowed her to test various aspects of my structural, emotional, and energetic self.  Whilst the stimuli will vary during the course of a treatment it is always the Indicator Muscle that is used to provide the therapist with the information that they are looking for.  It appeared to me that whilst Kinesiology relies on natural body mechanics to provide information on the client, the therapist must possess a thorough knowledge of individual techniques as well as an understanding of body mechanics.  The process appeared to be deductive in that Kay seemed to be systematically homing in on various issues using the information that she was gathering.  

I was impressed by the way that Kinesiology seems to embrace many different forms of alternative therapy.  Whilst the process of muscle testing is certainly a defining feature, this is just the first stage of the process and is how Kinesiology identifies issues within a client.  Once a problem has been identified Kinesiology then draws from a wide range of different systems to treat the issue.  For example when Kay discovered that I was ‘neurologically disorganised’ due to interference from electromagnetic fields her solution was to provide me with some copper chips to insert in my mobile phone and computer to minimise their effect.  On discovering the build up of heavy metals within my liver Kay suggested that I take a herbal remedy capsule (Hepaguarde Forte) for a period of a few weeks.  Kay explained that heavy metals such as mercury (e.g. from fillings and fabric softener) and aluminum (e.g. from anti-perspirants and foil) can clog up the liver and prevent it from functioning as it should.  The herbal blend that was recommended would help to unclog the liver and allow the body to remove these metal deposits.  Further techniques that Kay used over the course of the treatment included gentle massage, chakra balancing, and the use of flower essences.  

This eclectic approach to treatment was something that I had not previously encountered.  Most other systems of complementary medicine that I have experienced have tended to be defined by how they treat the client.  Sometimes a system will employ a number of different approaches to identify an issue within a client but generally once this is done the treatment will always be the same.  For example, an acupuncturist may use conversation, family history, pulse and tongue diagnosis to identify an issue but whatever the therapist finds will always be treated with needles.  With Kinesiology this seems to be the other way around; muscle testing is the sole diagnostic technique and it is the treatment that can take a number of different forms.  How much scope the practitioner has in deciding on the particular treatment to use, I do not know.  Specific indications within a client may point towards specific treatments or it may be that the practitioner is actively involved in determining the best treatment to use.  Either way, the unification of different systems seems to be a positive move forward in complementary healthcare away from a situation where systems compete for sole superiority.  Where a number of systems can have positive health benefits, different systems will be more or less applicable in different circumstances and with different clients.  A situation where therapists have a working knowledge of more than one system and the ability to determine when each is appropriate can only be a good thing for patients.

Overall my Kinesiology experience was very positive.  The system appears to have a sound basis and a solid structure and process that would appease the more scientifically oriented of us.  It also has a uniqueness that differentiates it from other forms of complementary medicine as well as an integrative approach to healthcare.  Some systems of complementary medicine tend to require a few sessions of treatment before significant results can be expected and I believe that Kinesiology may fall into this category.  Despite this, after only one session of treatment I believe that the issues addressed have seen noticeable improvement and I look forward to returning for further treatments.  Whilst my understanding of how Kinesiology works is still limited, my brief experience was enough to make me extremely curious.  Kay Avalon was very knowledgeable and helpful in explaining the basics of Kinesiology.  As well as obviously being very competent and experienced with this system of healing she also possesses a genuine desire to help people.  I believe that this is an important quality in a therapist and I would not hesitate in recommending Kay to anyone within traveling distance of Nailsea, near Bristol in North Somerset.  To view Kay's contact details please click here.