Kinesiology Muscle Testing Device
Mariela Coxon
Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) devices are used to assess upper extremity manual muscle strength and lower extremity manual muscle strength for help with diagnosing and rehabilitating sports injuries and illness. MMT devices are also used in physiological studies by researchers who want to better understand the function of various parts of the body.
ProHealthcareProducts.com specializes in helping customers find the right Manual Muscle Testing device for their specific applications. We carry MMT devices made by brands like Hoggan Scientific, Lafayette Instrument, and JTech.
ProHealthcareProducts.com also sells software for clinical and bulk data collection. These software add-ons allow clinics and research institutions to efficiently collect muscle testing data for tracking progress in patients and for analyzing patterns among several test results.
We have included the following video as a resource for medical researchers to learn more about how to perform upper extremity and lower extremity manual muscle testing. This video uses the MicroFET 2 MMT device, but the principles introduced in the video apply to most of the MMT devices we carry in our store. Please let us know if you need help finding a testing device to suit your particular needs.
Dr. James Fung graduated from the University of Toronto in 1997 with a Hon BSc degree in molecular genetics. He is a 2001 graduate of CMCC. He currently maintains two practices in Toronto. He is also a certified instructor in the Trigenics seminar series.
Manual muscle testing (MMT) is commonly used by clinicians and therapists as a tool for assessment and diagnosis. There are two major roles of MMT in a chiropractic clinical practice as an indicator to augment or confirm a normal exam such as that used in applied kinesiology (1) and to measure the strength of a muscle and identify areas of muscular weakness due to injury or disease.
Noreau showed the sensitivity of the MMT method is insufficient to assess muscle strength, at least for grade 4 and higher, and to detect small or moderate increases of strength over the course of rehabilitation. (3) In addition, Frese et al. also showed that the accuracy and reliability of MMT is questionable. (4)
Various types of hand-held dynamometers (HHD) were developed in an attempt to eliminate the inherent problems with MMT. In this article we will discuss the use of various models of HHD to obtain objective, measurable muscle strength results.
The modified sphygmomanometer is easy and inexpensive to use, but values above 210 mm Hg have a curvilinear relationship with other strength-testing devices. Higher pressures against the bladder cuff may exceed the underlying pressure within the cuff to the point that the sphygmomanometer values drop off at the higher end of the scale. Therefore, it may not be the best choice for obtaining accurate strength measurements of stronger muscles. (6) Unlike modified sphygmomanometers, spring gauge dynamometers have a linear relationship with certified weights throughout the 27 kg range. However, they tend to lose accuracy with extended use. (5) Strain gauge dynamometers are the most sensitive. They maintain a linear relationship with certified weight values. The sensitivity and accuracy of a strain gauge dynamometer helps to rule out the instrument as a source of poor reliability. (5) Commercially available strain gauge dynamometers include MicroFET, Ametek Accuforce III, MEED 3000 and the Nicholas Manual Muscle Tester.
The MicroFET is a battery-operated, electromechanical device. It measures, freezes, and displays the peak force and time duration of muscle testing. The MicroFET 3 model is sensitive to 0.1 lb. Studies also show that strain gauge dynamometers exhibit good reliability and good validity for measuring muscle strength. (5,7)
The program allows the evaluator to ensure the repeated trials are consistent. In addition, the MicroFET 3 model also functions as an inclinometer in the same unit (Diagrams 3 & 4).
The unit calculates the range of motion by recording the difference between the starting position and the end position of a specific range of motion.
Since muscle force and functional ability are not related linearly, maximum force can be reduced while functional ability is still maintained. (8) For diagnostic and therapeutic reasons, loss of muscle force should be detected as early and accurately as possible. (8) Over the recent years studies have provided reference values for different age groups for muscle strength obtained by HHD. (8,9,10) Most of these reference values are established for extremity movements. These age-related reference values can be employed in a clinical setting to document whether an individual is impaired relative to a healthy population of the same gender and age. These values can also help to estimate the severity of force-generating impairments in patients, to quantify muscle weakness in individual muscle groups and to evaluate the effects of therapy. (8,9,10)
In summary, without an HHD, the clinician normally assigns a value to the test results, such as 1 to 5 or good-fair-poor, depending on how much force the clinician thought the patient exerted. Problems arise, however, trying to assign a score based on subjective feeling, especially when the patient is re-tested at a later date. Many of the problems inherent to manual muscle testing can be resolved by using an HHD.
Start with your writing hand (or dominant hand), mine is the right hand as pictured, and place your thumb to your index finger. This will be your hand you will be consciously controlling what you are doing.
Hi just a question, I usually use the whole arm outstretched and quite a firm pressure downwards to muscle test someone and sometimes if I have done a few muscle tests I will get a weak muscle test but then if I let them rest and recheck then the muscle is strong. Is this just muscle fatigue rather than a true indication?
Thanks A
Hi just a question, I usually use the whole arm outstretched and quite a firm pressure downwards to muscle test someone and sometimes if I have done a few muscle tests in a row the patient will show a weak muscle test but then if I let them rest and recheck then the muscle is strong. Is this just muscle fatigue rather than a true indication?
Thanks A
I am seeing a energy guy who also uses Kinesiology to help with all my physical problems. There are times he is muscle testing and he will find a weak area and then he will ask me put my own hand on the area and I test strong!
Hi Anne! Thank you for such an informative article. I have been using muscle testing for quite some time for healing sessions. And to be honest with you this is truly a powerful tool. I was able to heal allergies, childhood, and even past life traumas. Not sure if past lives are real or not, but the results speak for themself. I use kinesiology as an additional tool for spiritual practices to identify cause and effect.
Currently, I am researching for more stable ways to find either a yes/no response from the body. Any input will be very helpful. Have you ever tried using any devices for clearer biofeedback readings, such as muscle stimulators, maybe brainwave neurofeedback or even heart rate monitors for the same task? Thank you and looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Hello. Sorry for the delay in responding to your post. Can you please clarify if you are muscle testing on yourself, or if you are muscle testing your client? Is it the client that is experiencing the deep subconscious limiting beliefs and emotions, or you?
Applied kinesiology (AK) is a pseudoscience-based technique[1] in alternative medicine claimed to be able to diagnose illness or choose treatment by testing muscles for strength and weakness.[2]
According to their guidelines on allergy diagnostic testing, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology stated there is "no evidence of diagnostic validity" of applied kinesiology.[3] Another study indicated that the use of applied kinesiology to evaluate nutrient status is "no more useful than random guessing."[4] The American Cancer Society has said that "scientific evidence does not support the claim that applied kinesiology can diagnose or treat cancer or other illness".[5]
George J. Goodheart, a chiropractor, originated applied kinesiology in 1964[6] and began teaching it to other chiropractors.[7] An organization of Goodheart Study Group Leaders began meeting in 1973, selected the name "The International College of Applied Kinesiology" (ICAK) in 1974, adopted bylaws in 1975, elected officers in 1975, and "certified" its charter members (called "diplomates") in 1976.[8] ICAK now considers 1976 to be the date it was founded and 1973 to be the date that its first chairman took office.[9]
While this practice is primarily used by chiropractors, AK is also used by a number of other practitioners of complementary therapy. In 2003, it was the 10th most frequently used chiropractic technique in the United States, with 37.6% of chiropractors employing this method and 12.9% of patients being treated with it.[10] Some basic AK based techniques have also been used by nutritional supplement distributors, including multilevel distributors.[5][11]
Applied kinesiology is presented as a system that evaluates structural, chemical, and mental aspects of health by using a method referred to as muscle response testing or manual muscle testing (MMT) alongside conventional diagnostic methods. The essential premise of applied kinesiology, which is not shared by mainstream medical theory, is that every organ dysfunction is accompanied by a weakness in a specific corresponding muscle in what is termed the "viscerosomatic relationship."[5][12] Treatment modalities relied upon by AK practitioners include joint manipulation and mobilization, myofascial, cranial and meridian therapies, clinical nutrition, and dietary counseling.[13]
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