Kinesiology: releasing blockages through muscle testing
Can our body tell us through its muscles what's good for it and what isn't? This is what kinesiology claims. Through muscle testing, the therapy is said to identify blockages and promote wellbeing. But how does it actually work?
What is kinesiology?
Kinesiology is an alternative therapy that focuses on the performance level of the body's muscles. Practitioners believe that physical, emotional and energetic imbalances are reflected in the muscles' condition. Kinesiology is considered a form of pseudoscience – meaning that its methods and phenomena aren't supported by conventional scientific evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Kinesiology is an alternative therapy based on muscle testing. Practitioners believe that physical, emotional and energetic imbalances are revealed in the performance level of our muscles.
Modern kinesiology originated in the United States in the 1960s. Chiropractor George Goodheart combined principles from chiropractic and physiology with teachings on the meridians from traditional Chinese medicine.
Subjectively, many people report an improvement in their symptoms after a kinesiology treatment. However, there is no scientific proof that it is effective. It's considered a pseudoscientific approach.
In principle, people of all ages can benefit from kinesiology. However, people looking to cure an illness or complaint should only use it as a complementary therapy alongside conventional medical treatment, not as a replacement.
A typical session lasts around 60 to 90 minutes. The number of sessions needed varies, depending on the person and the issue being treated.
Prices usually range from CHF 100 to CHF 150 per hour.
No, basic insurance usually doesn't cover kinesiology. However, part of the costs may be reimbursed if you have the right supplementary insurance and your therapist is recognised by your health insurer.
How kinesiology works
The key tool used in kinesiology is muscle testing, which is intended to reveal blockages in the body's energy flow. During testing, the therapist confronts a specific muscle with various stimuli and observes the reaction. The idea is that, through the muscle's contraction, the body reveals where its strengths and weaknesses lie. Therapists then aim to resolve any identified blockages using a range of techniques.
Life energy
Qi (life energy) is a central concept in traditional Chinese medicine. Like many other alternative therapies, kinesiology aims to restore balance to this energy and activate the body's self-healing powers. Qi is not a scientifically measurable phenomenon, but can be seen as a metaphor for our physical and emotional wellbeing.
What happens during a kinesiology session?
- Initial consultation: The session usually starts with a short conversation to discuss the client's concerns, such as physical discomfort or emotional stress. This helps tailor the treatment to the individual.
- Muscle testing: The client contracts a specific muscle – often in the arm or leg – while the therapist applies light pressure. If the muscle stays strong, this is a sign of balance. If it gives way, this indicates an energetic blockage or stress reaction. The therapist repeats the test several times using different stimuli, such as thoughts, touch or objects.
- Alarm points: Therapists also apply pressure to so-called alarm points – areas of the body that are thought to react more sensitively when there's a problem with a related organ or energy system. This is meant to help narrow down the location of a blockage.
- Identifying and addressing blockages: If a muscle reacts as "weak", the therapist will look for the underlying cause, which could involve emotional stress, unresolved conflicts or physical strain.
- Restoring balance: Kinesiologists use various methods to help clear blockages and rebalance the system.
- Stimulating acupressure points (also known as tapping points) Kinesiology taping with coloured physiotape
- Movement exercises, such as the lazy eight from Brain Gym
- Visualisation and positive affirmations
- Use of music, scents or coloured glasses
Application: When can kinesiology help?
Kinesiology is used to support a wide range of issues – from emotional symptoms to learning difficulties and physical disorders.
Emotional and psychological issues
Many people turn to kinesiology for help with psychological issues like depression, sleep disorders or burnout. It may also be of support in cases of trauma or emotional stress. In psychokinesiology, therapists work with the subconscious to resolve suppressed experiences with the aim of promoting emotional balance. Studies report that kinesiology can be subjectively helpful with emotional issues, though the effects haven't been scientifically proven.
Physical issues
Kinesiology is also used alongside conventional treatment for physical symptoms like skin problems, or for general complaints like pain, tension or fields of interference. The aim is to ease energetic blockages and support the body as a whole.
Allergies and intolerances
Practitioners often treat allergies, hay fever or food intolerances. Muscle testing is used to identify the triggers which are then "decoupled" to ease the burden on the body. Although there's no objective evidence for this method, many patients subjectively report that they experience an improvement in their symptoms.
Who can benefit from kinesiology?
In principle, people of all ages can take advantage of a kinesiology treatment. However, treatments tend to vary depending on the person's age group.
- Babies: Kinesiology is often used with infants who cry excessively. Treatment aims to restore energetic balance to mother and baby and relieve stress from pregnancy or birth.
- School-age children: At this age, focus is often set on improving the child's learning ability. Kinesiology with children is usually aimed at strengthening the connection between movement and learning ability and easing learning blockages or school-related anxiety.
- Adults: With adults, kinesiology is used in many ways alongside other treatments for emotional or physical symptoms, allergies and intolerances, or in life crises. It's also said to be helpful for managing stress and supporting decision-making.
- Pregnant women: Kinesiology may help promote emotional stability during pregnancy. It's used alongside other treatments for sleeping problems and nausea or in preparing for birth, by easing symptoms like anxiety or processing past birth experiences.
Kinesiology and other therapy forms
Kinesiology has many similarities with other alternative therapies, especially those from traditional Chinese medicine. But what are the differences to methods like acupuncture, craniosacral therapy or shiatsu?
- Kinesiology is the only method that uses muscle testing as a feedback tool from the body, which isn't part of acupuncture, craniosacral therapy or shiatsu.
- Kinesiology sessions are highly individual and not based on a fixed structure, while other therapies usually follow set processes and concepts.
- In kinesiology, the active participation of the client – particularly through muscle contraction – is key to the treatment. Acupuncture, craniosacral therapy and shiatsu are carried out by the practitioner, making them more passive.
When is kinesiology a useful option?
Kinesiology can be a helpful complement to conventional medical care – for example, to reduce stress or enhance general wellbeing. However, its effectiveness hasn't yet been scientifically proven and it's considered a complementary method.
What to note when choosing a practitioner
These days, kinesiology is offered in a wide range of settings. When choosing a practitioner, it's therefore all the more important to ensure that kinesiology isn't being promoted as a single or full therapy for medical or psychological conditions. It may offer support alongside other treatments, but is no substitute for professional healthcare.
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