Kinesiology: Restoring Energy Flow and Balance

What is Kinesiology?

Many people often ask me: What is kinesiology? I find it surprising, as kinesiology has been part of my life since childhood. My mother would regularly take me to see a kinesiologist, just as routinely as visiting the dentist or opticians. Even now, kinesiology remains integral to my well-being, and I am currently training in this field, with plans to attend my first course soon.

When I mention kinesiology in conversation, most people listen attentively before asking, with varying levels of scepticism or excitement: But what exactly is it?

In essence, kinesiology is a powerful tool for energy healing. It uses a muscle-testing technique that taps into the body's meridian pathways, much like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) does, to assess whether the body's energy flow is balanced and functioning at its optimal level—physically, emotionally, or spiritually. It can help identify allergies, release trapped emotions, and even connect with our chakra system to pinpoint what may be blocking our mind-body-spirit connection.

Kinesiology is built on the idea that the body, like the human biofield, communicates in its own way—independent of the mind—and that it cannot lie. By accessing this information through the body's energy system, a practitioner can uncover deeper issues that traditional methods might overlook.

But there’s much more to it. Let’s explore a brief history of kinesiology, which traces back to 1854.

The word "kinesiology" was coined by Carl August Georgii, a professor at the Royal Gymnastic Central Institute (GCI) in Stockholm, derived from the Swedish word Rörelselära, meaning 'Movement Science'.

The GCI, founded in 1813, was the world’s first dedicated institution for the study and promotion of movement science and health. Its teachings had a profound influence on physical therapy, including practices like energy balancing and holistic health approaches. The institute is even credited with developing 2,000 movements and 50 massage techniques, many of which are still used today to treat physical dysfunctions.

The Evolution of Kinesiology

In 1949, Florence Peterson Kendall and Henry O. Kendall, both physiotherapists, advanced the field by documenting methods for testing individual muscles for neuromusculoskeletal conditions.

Muscle Testing took a significant leap forward in 1964 when chiropractors George Goodheart and Dr Alan Beardall expanded muscle-testing techniques to also assess the nervous system's control over the body. Goodheart found a link between Chinese meridian pathways and muscle groups, organs, and glands. By applying slight pressure to muscles, weaknesses in the body's meridians could be identified, leading to the development of Applied Kinesiology (AK).

AK differs from traditional kinesiology, which is the scientific study of human and animal movement. Instead, Applied Kinesiology incorporates energy balancing, muscle testing, and therapy, based on the theory that organ dysfunctions correspond to specific muscle weaknesses. These weaknesses can be detected through muscle-testing procedures, providing a holistic approach to restoring health naturally.

Muscle Testing and Energy Healing

Goodheart’s work bridged Western practices with Eastern theories, integrating techniques from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), such as meridian energy flow, into Western chiropractic methods. This opened the door for a holistic approach to healing, which includes not just physical health but also emotional, energetic, and spiritual well-being.

His student, Dr John Thie, went on to popularise these ideas in 1973 by publishing Touch for Health, a book that made these techniques accessible for self-care and personal wellness. This further expanded kinesiology’s role in addressing not only physical and emotional imbalances but also energetic blockages that can impact the chakra system and overall human biofield.

Today, kinesiology is widely recognised as a key tool in integrative medicine, a field that combines conventional treatments with energy healing methods, such as Reiki, acupuncture, and grounding techniques.

Where Does Kinesiology Fit Today?

In the UK, the recognised professional body for kinesiology is the Kinesiology Foundation, which oversees training and practice standards for practitioners. However, despite its widespread use, Kinesiology is not yet recognised by medical boards like the NHS or private healthcare systems. This creates a gap where holistic health practices like AK are available only to those who can afford them or are willing to seek out private treatments.]

Other Kinesiology schools include, Touch for Health, Systematic Kinesiology and of course my own school Health Kinesiology. Each has contributed to the fabric of Kinesiology, creating a rich collection of methods and practices which utilise muscle testing for the benefit of their clients.

My Personal Journey with Kinesiology and Energy Healing

My first experience with kinesiology’s energy balancing capabilities came when I was just four years old. After being diagnosed with diabetes, my mum took me to her kinesiologist, who performed muscle tests and identified emotional issues affecting my pancreas. After treatment and a change in diet, my symptoms—extreme thirst and cravings for bananas—disappeared.

Over the years, I have turned to various kinesiologists to balance my energy, optimise muscle function, and address emotional blockages still stored in my body. When I was diagnosed with cancer in 2015, kinesiology helped flush out toxins post-chemotherapy and brought my body out of its survival mode.

In my experience, Kinesiology has been invaluable in uncovering and healing emotional traumas, which can disrupt the body’s energy flow and lead to physical and mental distress. These traumas can come from many sources—broken relationships, prolonged emotional distress, fear, anxiety, or the death of a loved one—and can manifest as physical symptoms if left unaddressed.

Mainstream medicine often focuses on symptom management through prescription drugs, but in my opinion, this approach doesn’t always get to the root of the issue. Energy healing methods like kinesiology offer a more integrative approach that considers the body’s mind-body-spirit connection, promoting natural health restoration rather than simply treating symptoms.

The Future of Kinesiology and Integrative Medicine

I believe both mainstream medicine and holistic health practices like Applied Kinesiology have essential roles in promoting well-being. Neither approach has all the answers, but together they offer a more complete picture of health. As we continue to make new discoveries about the human biofield and the meridian pathways, there is hope that the gap between Applied Kinesiology and conventional medicine will narrow.

In the end, it’s the patients—those seeking better health and balance—who stand to benefit the most from these advances. We are living in an exciting time for health and healing, with promising opportunities to combine energy healing, grounding techniques, and traditional medicine to create a more holistic, integrative approach to health.