FAQs

Muscle testing (also known as applied kinesiology or manual muscle testing) is a way of receiving information and guidance from the body via neuromuscular biofeedback between the muscles and the brain.  With metaphysical roots, we take the non-physical energy and information within us and translate it into a physical response of the body.  

Physical therapy, on the other hand, is a corrective physical modality focusing on specific movements and exercises that strengthen weak or injured muscles/joints.  

Chiropractic is centered around aligning the spine and bones/joints of the body in order to maximize function of the nervous, skeletal, and muscular system.  

Personal training tends to be focused more on general physical fitness, strength, and flexibility.  

Although muscle testing can reveal the need for all three of these other modalities (and some physical therapists, chiropractors, and personal trainers do incorporate muscle testing into their practice), muscle testing has a very different purpose and application from them. 

There are many different ways of using muscle testing to receive information from the body.  The most well-known is manual muscle testing of the arms or legs.  This requires two people to be present in the same room, with one person doing the testing on the other by pushing on their arm/leg with a minimal amount of force.  If the arm/leg stays strong when tested, that typically represents a positive response (a 'yes') to whatever is being tested.  If the arm/leg goes weak when tested, that typically represents a negative response (a 'no') to whatever is being tested.

Proxy (or self-testing) is another way to get information from the body using muscle testing.  This is when the person testing uses their own muscles (typically muscles in the hand) to test themself or someone else.  Much like a phone can pair itself (share its information) with another device via bluetooth, two people can 'pair' themselves energetically so that one person can receive information for the other.  This allows for remote testing, which doesn't require the person testing to be in the same place as the person being tested.  It may be challenging to understand and accept this type of testing as possible and valid, but consider the amazing capabilities of manmade technology and how much more complex and astonishing the human body is.

Just about anything can (theoretically) be muscle tested, but that doesn't mean everything should be muscle tested.  The primary goal of applied kinesiology should be seeking guidance on the best next steps towards health and personal growth in all areas of life.  The things most commonly tested include musculoskeletal imbalances, stressed organs and glands, food intolerances, dietary supplements, toxins, pathogens (bacteria, parasites, viruses, fungal overgrowth), household and body products, and unprocessed emotions and past experiences, but there is so much more that can be revealed with muscle testing.

The more objective the question and the less attached you are towards a specific answer, the more reliable muscle testing will be.  Applied kinesiology should not be used as an attempt to control others, avoid discomfort, or seek comfort, pleasure, or gain (although sometimes comfort, pleasure, and/or gain can certainly be a natural byproduct of muscle testing).  Personal biases of the muscle tester can have a significant impact on the outcomes of muscle testing since the nervous system is directly affected by our emotions, thoughts, and beliefs.  The specific approach and level of education, experience, understanding, and skill of the muscle testing practitioner can also greatly affect the accuracy and effectiveness of applied kinesiology.  Getting referrals from trusted friends, family, and other health practitioners can be one of the most effective methods of choosing a muscle testing practitioner. 

Applied kinesiology, Muscle Response Testing, Manual Muscle Testing, Nutrition Response Testing, Emotion Code, Body Code

No.  Muscle testing should not be painful at all unless you are attempting to use a compromised joint to test with (such as trying to muscle test with an arm that has a painful shoulder or elbow joint).

This depends upon who is doing it, how they are doing it, why they are doing it, and what how you define the word 'legitimate'.  Just like any other field, there are beginner level practitioners and those who are more educated, experienced, and advanced in both their understanding and skills.  There are those whose primary goal is to help people by seeking higher wisdom and guidance, and those who are more concerned about increasing their income than continuing their education and self-improvement.

The primary criticism of muscle testing is the lack of well-designed research to prove its legitimacy according to the scientific method.  Not everything in life translates well to empirical research.  Once labeled as pseudoscience and quackery, the fields of chiropractic and acupuncture are both now part of mainstream science (and often covered my health insurance).  As people get more and more frustrated with the current medical system, they are starting to look into and gain trust in alternative practices such as muscle testing, energy healing, intuitive healing, and spiritual healing.  Click here to watch a short video that explains the term metaphysical (beyond the physical)

Anything and everything can be considered spiritual (depending upon how you choose to view it), including muscle testing.  As with many aspects of life, it can be very helpful to find a health practitioner whose spiritual foundation aligns with your own.  Alana practices from the belief that muscle testing is a way to seek guidance from our Creator...the same Power that created us has the power to heal us.

Anything and everything can be considered spiritual (depending upon how you choose to view it), including muscle testing.  As with many aspects of life, it can be very helpful to find a health practitioner whose spiritual foundation aligns with your own.  Alana practices from the belief that muscle testing is a way to seek guidance from our Creator...the same Power that created us has the power to heal us.

Any part of the body can hold the contractive energy of emotions that have not been fully processed.  Muscle testing can help find which emotions the body is holding on to, where they being stored, and what is needed to process and release them.

Some practitioners and muscle testing methodologies are more focused/reliant on supplements to address health challenges than others.  Supplements are the primary basis of modalities such as Nutrition Response Testing, which other practitioners might also use a variety of other healing methods such as energy healing, somatic healing, diet and exercise recommendations, acupuncture/acupressure, red light therapy, homeopathy, magnet therapy, essential oils, electrostimulation, detox protocols, coaching techniques, etc.  Alana is constantly adding more and more healing modalities to her wheelhouse in order to offer the most comprehensive and tailored experience possible.

Frequency of muscle testing depends upon severity of health symptoms, availability, finances, personal preference, and the type of muscle testing and specific practitioner you are using (some ask that you come back on specific timelines, some use muscle testing to determine when you should be checked again, and some leave it up to you based on symptoms and how in depth you are wanting to go on your health journey).  In addition to being able to book a session online whenever you are wanting to be tested, Alana also offers revolving client checks where she uses muscle testing to determine when future testing will be needed for participating clients and then checks those clients on the particular date they tested for to see what it is they are needing.