Kinesiology

Kinesiology is the study of the mechanics of body movements to provide information about the state of health of all body organs and systems. It also employs many other healing therapies to achieve recovery.

The term Kinesiology coined in 1854 by Carl Georgii , the Swedish medical gymnast and kinesiologist, is a literal translation of Greek + English meaning ‘Movement Science’ which was the foundation of medical gymnastics. The Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics (GCI) was founded in Stockholm in 1813 by Pehr Henrik Ling. It was the first physiotherapy school in the world, training hundreds of medical gymnasts who spread the Swedish physical therapy to all continents. In 1887 Sweden was the first country in the world to give a national state licence to physiotherapists/physical therapists. Kinesiology was further developed by an American chiropractor, George Goodheart who found that by testing muscle response before and after he made chiropractic corrections he achieved better results for his patients. Eventually he was able to make a connection between various muscles and acupuncture meridians. The International College of Applied Kinesiology (ICAK) was founded in 1975 to provide instruction on Goodheart's research to other health care professionals. The term now covers not just the original form, but various other healing modalities. The muscle testing aspect of kinesiology is relatively transferable. It is common for it to be applied, expanded upon and incorporated into other therapy forms.

Main principles

Kinesiology is a non-invasive holistic energy therapy. It combines the ancient principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with modern muscle monitoring techniques and uses the body itself as a diagnostic tool to explore the health status of the client. It is based upon the premise that any problems arising within the energy system will eventually be reflected in the body. Kinesiology uses muscle-testing techniques to gain an insight into the areas of stress and imbalance within the energy system. Applications of kinesiology include biomechanics and orthopaedics, strength and conditioning, sports psychology, methods of rehabilitation such as physical and occupational therapy and sport and exercise. By testing the resistance of a muscle when a small amount of pressure is applied to it, weaknesses and imbalances in its corresponding meridian could be distinguished. The technique was developed into the system of Kinesiology known as Applied Kinesiology that was used mostly by medical-related practitioners such as dentists and chiropractors.

Uses

Kinesiology aims to restore balance to the whole person through promoting the self-healing process.  There are several modalities of kinesiology with specific health benefits:

Educational kinesiology is said to help improve sports performance and self-development.

Health kinesiology has been reported to help boost self-confidence and improve a person’s ability to focus and stay motivated.

Creative kinesiology works with energy to help people overcome aches, pains, lack of confidence, fatigue, life frustration and lack of fulfilment or purpose.

Wellness kinesiology works to combine emotional issues with nutritional and structural elements. It is thought that combining these factors helps to bring the mind and body into a state of wellness.

Associations

The Kinesiology Federation (KF) is a professional organisation representing Kinesiology practitioners, instructors and training schools from a spectrum of different branches of Kinesiology.
www.kinesiologyfederation.co.uk

The Association of Systematic Kinesiology (ASK) is the accrediting body for courses, schools and tutors.
www.systematic-kinesiology.co.uk