The focus here is on enhancing overall wellbeing. AK is a system that uses muscle testing to evaluate areas of dysfunction within the body. Nutritional assessment looks at the food, liquids and supplements we consume and how these can optimise health.
Applied Kinesiology (AK) is a system that uses basic muscle testing for evaluating areas of dysfunction within the body. AK uses the proprioceptive aspects of the nervous system (the part relating to joints and muscles) to assess the function of the musculo-skeletal system and also the chemical and mental-emotional aspects of health and wellbeing.
Health is composed of structural, chemical and mental factors which must be balanced and this is known to naturopaths and osteopaths as “The triad of health”. Ill health will involve at least one of these factors, often two or all three are involved. The AK practitioner will analyse and check all three factors.
What can AK help with?
AK can refine the examination and diagnostic testing of any of the musculoskeletal problems normally associated with a visit to an osteopath, such as low back pain, neck pain or sciatica. It can also help with any functional aspects of health by highlighting which areas of health are below par and may therefore be contributing to symptoms.
What to expect when you see an AK practitioner
You should expect to be actively involved in the examination, diagnostic process and the solution. AK, used alongside a careful case history and standard diagnostic tests, brings a better insight into how the body is functioning.
Testing will include aspects of musculoskeletal, visceral (your body organs and glands), metabolic (such as toxicity or nutrient deficiency), and cranial disturbances. Treatment may involve manipulation of the joints and muscles, nutritional support, homeopathic or herbal remedies, and protocols to deal with stress, together with lifestyle or exercise advice.
ICAK UK
There are various practitioners who describe themselves as “Kinesiologists”. However, to be a full member of ICAK, of which the UK has it’s own chapter, there is a minimum undergraduate training requirement, which is, “a single professional education with a minimum of 3500 hours and a degree such as DC, DDS, PPM, MD, DO, PhD in psychology. An absolute requirement is the licence to diagnose.”
In practice that means, in the UK, most members are osteopaths and chiropractors, though the chapter also includes medical doctors, acupuncturists and other practitioners with appropriate undergraduate training.
Food, whether in relation to its production, culture and lifestyle or health and nutrition, is seldom out of the news these days. At the same time ironically, so much ill health in the UK is directly attributable to poor diet – obesity, diabetes and heart disease being just a few obvious ones.
It can feel like we are being bombarded with advice and ideas about nutrition and diets and sometimes it seems to be conflicting or contradictory. Many of us do not make the connection between how we are feeling physically and emotionally with how we are eating.
Nicki can help you understand the basics about good nutrition, and make the right choices for you and your lifestyle.
This involves an initial consultation lasting about 60 minutes. This could be looking at and reviewing your diet, exercise, weight management, body-shape, fitness, your goals and your aspirations. You may be looking to improve your fitness and need assistance with this due to injury. Perhaps an injury has left you fearful to exercise and you need some 1-2-1 guidance on what to do, when to do it and how often. You may have an occasion coming up and want to loose a few pounds and increase your overall tone.
Whatever your goals, Nicki can help guide you with an exercise, fitness and weight management plan and show you what you need to do.
She can then be with you as little or as often as you need, after the initial visit, to review your progress and ensure you stay focused on your goals. She can also assist your progress using an online tool to monitor how you are doing, so you can both track your progression towards your goal. Any follow-up visits will last 30 minutes.
Your first visit
Find out about what to expect from your first visit to Broadwater Osteopathic Practice.
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