Therapeutic Kinesiology
(Muscle Testing)
By: Marla Brucker, DCH, R.HA
Your nervous system is a phenomenally sensitive thirty-seven-mile-long antenna that reverberates to the subtle and not-so-subtle energies of the world in which you live. Everything from the food you eat to the people you encounter carries a different energy frequency and impacts your nervous system. While most of these vibrations exist below the threshold of your awareness, your body resonates to some and tenses against others. This sensitivity of your nervous system to the energies that come into your range is the basis for energy testing, which is done using applied kinesiology (muscle testing).
Our body and mind know exactly what the problem is and will share this secret if asked. Your body knows what is causing the imbalance mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Remember, everything has been recorded in the nervous system.
The nervous system acts very much like a polygraph test. In this case, a muscle (being tested) controlled by the nervous system will weaken if something is negative or there are thoughts that cause anxiety. Also, if there is a subconscious disagreement with a statement made, the muscles will weaken; otherwise, they will remain strong. This allows you to “talk to the body” directly.
The body’s electromagnetic field can also be influenced positively or negatively depending on what we surround ourselves with or place in our body (refer to Energy Toxins). These subtle energies affect our body’s energy system in numerous ways.
A strong muscle will weaken if a harmful substance, or one not energetically sound, is placed against the body. The reverse of this happens as well. If there was a weak muscle and a positive substance was placed in the body’s electromagnetic field, the muscle would strengthen.
Muscle Testing
Muscle testing (MT) is a precise measure of a neurological response in the body. The importance of MT is to determine if a muscle can “lock” or feel “springy” when manual pressure is applied. (Before testing, be sure to ask if the person has any shoulder problems that might be aggravated by muscle testing the arm. If so, use the opposite arm or a different Indicator Muscle (IM). Two common ways to Muscle Test your clients:
- Have the client extend their arm out so that it is parallel with the floor, with the elbow fully extended and the palm facing down.
- Advise the client to “resist,” “meet my pressure,” or “hold strong.”
- Slowly apply (gentle) pressure to their wrist until it either “locks” or feels “springy.”
Another Way to Muscle Test Your Clients:
- Have the client place their elbow (closest to you) onto the armrest or a table close to them.
- Advise the client to “resist,” “meet my pressure,” or “hold strong.”
- Slowly apply (gentle) pressure to their wrist until it either “locks” or feels “springy.”
Ask the client’s subconscious mind to indicate a “Yes” response by being strong (muscle test them), and then ask them to show you a “No” response by being weak (muscle test again). This test becomes an indicator, making sure that they are energetically balanced.
When a client makes a statement related to their desired goal and tests weak and then makes a statement about (holding onto) their issues and tests strong, this indicates that the client is Neurologically Switched. If they test strong or weak for both, they are most likely neurologically disorganized. To correct either of these, have them tap under their clavicle with their hands crossed over each other (approximately seven times). If their energies are flowing in the right direction, there should be a detectable weakening in the muscle when the person thinks of his/her issue, fear, anxiety, addictive urges, compulsions, traumas, or pain etc.
Other Indicator Muscles (IM) can be used on the client in addition to oneself. Many other muscle testing techniques can also be used; experiment and create your own to find out what works for you.
Muscle Testing Hints
- Always ask permission to Muscle Test before doing so. First, describe what you will be doing, and then ask, “Is it all right if I do that?” Ensure they have no problems with the Indicator Muscle you are testing.
- Explain Muscle Testing as a cooperative communication between them and their subconscious mind, higher power, higher resources, etc.
- Wait 1-2 seconds between the question and the muscle test.
- Respect the resources being made available to you. Ask or request…don’t instruct. This is a joint venture.
- Check yourself for reversals or switching before you Muscle Test others.
- Create true-false (yes/no) readings. Whatever statement is made, have them make an opposite statement to the original one. Muscle Test after each statement. (e.g., the person’s name vs. someone else’s name; correct place of birth vs. a different place, 2+2=4 vs. 2+2=6, day of the week, their sex, or have them think of a happy time and then a sad or bad time.)
- Drink plenty of water.
- While doing muscle testing, it is best not to stand or sit directly in front of the client to avoid influencing them with your energy.
- Reversals can occur at any moment. Keep checking along the way.
- Maintain a neutral mind. Be a scientific observer of the process.
- Be consistent with timing, speed, pressure, etc.
- When Muscle Testing the arm, gently push down on the wrist area. You will not get a good reading if you push down in the middle of the arm. You can also use just one finger for the Muscle Test. (It is not necessary to use your whole hand.
- Remove any jewelry that crosses the midline. As well as cell phones, etc.
- Breathe normally. If things aren’t going well, take a few deep breaths, then proceed.
- Make sure the client is ready for you to test them.
- Strong pressure is not necessary. Suggest that when they are aware of the muscle going weak, they can just let it go. Actually, sometimes, there is only a 10% difference between a strong and weak muscle.
- There might be an inconsistency with the “yes” and “no” reading. There are times that a “yes” will feel like the muscle has locked, and at other times, you may not feel the “yes being as strong. The same goes with the “no” response. The muscle may become extremely weak; at other times, you may feel the muscle weaken slightly. This takes practice for you to be able to read the muscle response when testing.
Finger Muscle Testing: (Can be used for self-muscle testing)
- Make a circle with the thumb and ring finger (or index finger) of your non-dominant hand. Hold those fingers firmly together. Use your dominant hand’s thumb and index finger as a “lever,” which you insert into the circle and then try to open it up. (Yes = strong, No = weak response.)
- Form a circle (as above). Make a hook with the index finger of your other hand. Place it in the circle and pull up where the two fingers meet to see if you can separate them. (Yes = strong, No = weak.)
- Form a circle (as above). Connect the thumb and index finger of your other hand inside that circle. Pull apart where the fingers meet. (Yes = strong, No = weak.)
Smooth/Rough Muscle Testing:
(Instruct your subconscious mind to show you smooth for a “yes” and rough for a “no”).
- Rub your palms together, saying, “Show me a yes”, and then “Show me a no.”
- Rub the end of your index finger over your thumbnail to receive a smooth or sticky response.
- Rub your thumb and index finger to receive a smooth or sticky response.
I have a teaching manual, The Healing Art of Energy Therapies, provides more information on Muscle Testing and working with the body’s energy system. The manual is for a 60-hour course on Energy Therapies, including Advanced Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), Tapas Acupressure Techniques (TAT), Thought Field Therapy (TFT), Energy Medicine, and much more. It is one of four teaching manuals offered through the Motivational Institute of Hypnotherapy’s 300-hour certification program,
For more information, email me at Marla@SanDiegoHypnosis.com or call (858) 587-0422
Bio: Marla Brucker, DCH, R.HA
Marla Brucker is an accomplished motivational trainer and seminar leader. As a peak performance coach, Marla has inspired thousands worldwide to realize their hidden potential by learning to trust their intuition as they move toward achieving greater success. Marla has her Doctorate in Clinical Hypnotherapy, is a Registered Hypnotic Anesthesiologist, a Master Practitioner in NLP, and is certified as a seminar leader with the American Seminar Leaders Association.
Dr. Brucker has been practicing in the area of performance enhancement, hypnotherapy, and counseling since 1978. She has worked in hospitals, mental health clinics, educational institutes, and social service agencies. Marla has been teaching hypnotherapy since 1991 and is Executive Director and CEO of the Motivational Institute of Hypnotherapy, a certifying hypnotherapy school in San Diego. She also conducts seminars and leadership training programs in Energy Therapies, Peak Performance, and Psychokinesis. Her frequently requested empowering Mind over Metal seminars are the highlight of many professional and corporate gatherings, seminars, and parties. Marla is in private practice, working with individuals and groups.
Read more about Marla and her work on her website at www.SanDiegoHypnosis.com.
Marla Brucker, DCH, R.HA
(858) 587-0422