kinesiology

A system of diagnosis and treatment which uses assessment of a patient's muscle responses to manual pressure to detect and locate blockage and imbalance of energy flow; developed by US chiropracter George Goodheart. Diagnosis is based on the belief that each group of muscles is related to other distant parts of the body, and generally follows the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. The kinesiology channels are identical to the 12 classical acupuncture meridians; and treatment is given by massaging ‘pressure points’ to enhance blood, lymphatic, and energy flow to the muscles. The diagnostic application of kinesiology is for allergy testing, when food, chemicals, or other possible allergens placed in the hand or on the tongue are said to induce detectable effects upon the body's muscle power and electrical field.

Kinesiology is the scientific study of human movement. While an understanding of kinesiology is fundamental for the analysis and treatment of problems in the musculoskeletal system, it is not - unlike "applied kinesiology" (AK) - a method for the treatment or diagnosis of illness.

Kinesiology encompasses human anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, biochemistry, biomechanics, exercise psychology and sociology of sport.

Kinesiological information is applied in such fields as physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, exercise physiology, kinesiotherapy, massage therapy, ergonomics, physical education and athletic coaching.

The study of kinesiology is often part of the curriculum for some of the areas in which kinesiological information is used (akin to a medical study – see sports medicine). The general difference between the job of a kinesiologist and a physical therapist is that a kinesiologist will assess movement, or problems in movement with regard to physiology, anatomy and biomechanics, while a physical therapist will actually apply therapeutic techniques to correct the identified problems.