THE USE OF KINESIOLOGY IN DIAGNOSING CRANIAL FAULTS

1. THE USE OF KINESIOLOGY IN DIAGNOSING CRANIAL FAULTS Richard Cook DC,FCC,CCEP. Sat. 17th April 2010

2. Objectives Introduction to applied kinesiology Simple tests to implement in your practice Diagnosis of spheno-basilar fixation Respiratory cranial faults recognition Sutural cranial fault detection Cautions 2

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4. Introduction to kinesiology History � kinesiology was discovered in 1964 by US chiropractor Dr. George Goodheart. Why would fit people have muscle weaknesses? Muscles can be tested for strength or weakness An organ-muscle relationship Muscle testing procedures �The truth is out there!� The body never lies 4

5. Grading muscle strength 5

6. Kinesiology �5 minutes to learn yet a lifetime to master� Uses standard muscle testing procedures to provide useful information on the status of the body Can be used to ask the body questions in a binary fashion receiving a �Yes� or �Not yes� response 6

7. Normal physiology A normal muscle is facilitated - that is on (strong) All muscles in the body have another that does the opposite action � agonist/antagonist When a muscle fails to work normally it is off (weak) This is not a weakness that is associated with lack of exercise We are testing functional neurology 7

8. Muscle testing Changes are instantaneous, repeatable and consistent. They are mediated via the nervous system In medicine muscle spasm is the priority With kinesiology we look at the weakness as the primary problem 8

9. Muscle weakness Muscles can become weak for a multitude of reasons; Neurolymphatic Neurovascular Nerve Acupuncture � meridian/organ Nutrition Together these factors are known as the 5 factors of the intervertebral foramina 9

10. Advantages of kinesiology It shows you the priority It can show you where to go next It tells you which direction or respiratory phase in which to adjust It will inform you that the job has been done 10

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12. Two ways to use ak Use a strong, normal indicator muscle Discover by therapy localisation what weakens it Use a related muscle that is weak in the clear Find out what will restore it back to strength 12

13. 42 muscles There are 42 muscles which are on both sides of the body which are routinely tested These relate to the 12 acupucture meridians and their organs kinesiology 13

14. 4 Bilateral arm muscle tests Pectoral major clavicular Anterior deltoid Latissimus dorsi Supraspinatus 14

15. Why use both sides at once? The 4 muscles relate to: Emotions Structure Body chemistry Cranials Also using both sides involves both brain hemispheres and that reduces the chances of the patient cheating! 15

16. The supraspinatus Supraspinatus is related to the brain Generally muscles are tested individually Sometimes we test muscles bilaterally This takes out some of the ability to cheat! 16

17. The supraspinatus test Like every muscle test check first each independently Idea is for the patient to bring origin and insertion of the muscle towards one another Push gently asking the patient to resist the pressure Continue the pressure for 2 seconds Feel for a weakening or the ability to hold 17

18. Factors that may influence the test Watch the patient does not initiate the test by pushing first Look for breath holding Subtle changes in position of the limb being tested The patient gritting the teeth Pain on testing 18

19. All muscles test strong! Every muscle should be able to be switched off This is done by pressing the appropriate sedation point on the related meridian There may be hypertonicity in the first muscle you test if that is the case use another When a weakening is difficult to locate it could be:- An atlas fixation TMJ problem Cranial SBS jamming Pelvic category problem 19

20. All muscles test weak! Dehydration is the most likely reason The patient could fail to understand the instructions There may be a debilitating disease present Patient may have eyes closed 20

21. Why are cranials so important? 90% of the nervous system is above the atlas!! The cranium is the box the brain comes in Cranial faults can impinge directly on the brain and thereby influence remote function In any chronic condition check the cranium In virtually any problem look to the cranium first 21

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23. Background to cranials History is not relevant at this juncture. There are many techniques and schools of thought Soft v Hard? I believe gentle is best as we are essentially moving fluids. Consider the surface anatomy of the head. 23

24. First contact! The first time you touch the patient�s head is so important. Move in gently and respectfully. Wait to feel the sensations under your fingertips � Rhythm frequency quality symmetry amplitude. 24

25. Every skull is unique Each skull is a new learning experience Lack of motion leads to reduced function Symmetrical motion is better than asymmetrical Balance is better than imbalance 25

26. Less is more? Lighten up! Enhance your palpatory skills. Keep it soft and gentle and let the body do the work 26

27. Flexion - extension 27

28. Sheno-basilar fixation The spheno-basilar symphysis can become jammed thus not moving in the usual respiratory pattern SBS compression is fairly common and can be the result of :- Trauma Fatigue Stress Birth trauma Toxicity 28

29. Cranial Faults Conditions requiring cranial investigation Part 1 Cranial nerve involvement Squint Eye tracking problems Bell�s palsy Pituitary functional disturbance � hormonal problems Trauma - head injury, whiplash Malocclusion � look in the mouth! 29

30. Cranial Faults Conditions requiring cranial investigation Part 2 Birth trauma � restless infant, breathing problems, behavioural problems, vomiting, hypertonicity, tremor, and specific learning difficulties Dural torque Allergy Infection Toxicity Emotional stress Remote structural problems � pelvis, neck, spine, feet 30

31. Respiratory cranial flow chart 31

32. Sutural cranial flow chart 32

33. Cautions There may be another priority Short cuts don�t always work Never perform cranial work on a recent stroke victim Never work on somebody with a suspected skull fracture 33

34. Flow charts Respiratory cranial faults are altered by a phase of respiration Sutural cranial faults are detected by TL The sphenoid articulates with 12 other cranial bones and as such is viewed as the king pin of the geared system and should be checked in all patients 34

35. Palpating the cranial rhythm Skull bones are the handles that move and relieve tension in the dural membranes Wait! Feel beyond the obvious for- Speed Quality Amplitude Rhythm Symmetry 35

36. Passion We all must get passionate about the cranial system We need to get this information out there We must be the therapists of choice, nobody else has the palpatory skills 36

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38. Thank you for your kind attention �Nunc est bibendum� Which roughly translated means �I�ve finished let�s go to the pub!� 38

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40. Let�s get physical! AK testing procedures � Know your anatomy Think what action the muscle performs Origin and insertion move towards one another Take care in your and the patient�s positioning 40

41. AK test Inform the patient what you are going to do Wait for the patient to be ready Push gently but firmly in the opposite direction to the muscle action Push with a gradually increasing pressure for about 2 seconds Feel for any weakening, give, juddering or shakiness Repeat on the opposite side for comparison 41

42. What to avoid Pushing too hard Pushing too early to beat the patient Make sure the patient is competent and understands the test procedure Don�t allow the patient to � change the position of their limb being tested Grit their teeth Hold the breath Cheat! 42

43. A tip Always compare the other side where practicable. Try to get an impression of each person�s overall strength, by checking a few different muscles. 43

44. Rapid screen testing 5 limb individual tests a weakness indicates: Neck flexors = C2-C7 subluxation General leg = Category 2 Anterior deltoid = Shoulder problem Psoas independently � both weak = atlas/occiput fixation 44

45. 4 Bilateral arm muscles Anterior deltoids related to Structural problems Pect. major clav. � Emotional issues Lat. Dorsi � Blood chemistry Supraspinatus � Cranial fault 45

46. Supraspinatus Inability to hold bilaterally tested supraspinatus muscles that are independently strong indicates a Spheno-basilar fixation. Check whether insp or exp strengthens To clear hold cranium in a vault hold and follow the patient�s deep respiration through 4-6 cycles 46

47. The beauty of AK When you have done something you can check to see is there a change? If the muscles now work fine the job is complete If not you may have to repeat the procedure Remember we are looking at functional neurology and not how strong the patient happens to be. 47

48. The body never lies! This is what Dr. George Goodheart quoted on many occasions and providing you are careful this is true. However, the body will try and fool you when it can, but treat that as a learning experience. Any questions? 48