What is Muscle Testing? Understanding Applied Kinesiology and Biofeedback for Whole-Person Health

Muscle testing—also called Applied Kinesiology (AK) or Manual Muscle Testing (MMT)—is a hands-on technique used by many integrative practitioners to evaluate the body’s response to stressors. Though it’s often misunderstood, muscle testing is a powerful way to assess physical, emotional, chemical, and energetic imbalances.

While traditional medicine may view muscle testing with skepticism, in integrative settings like ours, it plays a critical role in uncovering hidden causes of chronic illness, allergies, inflammation, and more—especially when paired with specialized treatments like SAAT (Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment).

Where Did Muscle Testing Come From?

Muscle testing has roots going back over a century:

In 1915, Dr. Robert M. Lovett began testing muscle strength to assess polio-related paralysis.
In the 1920s, Frank Chapman developed a map of neurolymphatic reflex points, linking certain muscles and organs.
By 1949, Henry and Florence Kendall published Muscles: Testing and Function, standardizing muscle group assessments (Kendall & Kendall, 1949).
Then in 1964, chiropractor Dr. George Goodheart brought these pieces together to create Applied Kinesiology, linking muscle responses to organ stress and energetic disturbances (Cuthbert & Goodheart, 2007).
Around the same time, Dr. Theron Randolph, a pioneer in environmental medicine, explored how low-level exposures to allergens and chemicals could cause chronic illness and sensitivities. His book with Ralph Moss, An Alternative Approach to Allergy, emphasized individualized allergy care and contributed to the foundation for biofeedback-based assessments (Randolph & Moss, 1982). Randolph proposed that allergy symptoms could stem not only from traditional immune responses but also from chronic exposure to low-dose environmental substances—an idea that resonates with the way muscle testing identifies hidden or non-obvious stressors. He noted, "What is food to one man may be fierce poison to another," highlighting the need for personalized evaluation—something muscle testing excels at. This philosophy directly aligns with our allergy protocols. Like Randolph’s work, we recognize that symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, or even chronic pain may be triggered by subtle environmental exposures—things like mold spores, food additives, or chemical sensitivities. Using muscle testing, we can identify these triggers in real time and then apply treatments like SAAT acupuncture to retrain the body’s response. This not only reflects Randolph’s call for individualized care but enhances it with precise, energetic intervention to desensitize the system and restore balance.

One patient case stands out. A woman came in with chronic sinus congestion, fatigue, and brain fog—symptoms she had experienced for years with no clear cause. Traditional allergy testing showed no significant results. However, using muscle testing, we identified sensitivities to common cleaning chemicals, mold spores, and even a type of plastic used in food packaging. After confirming these findings through symptom journaling, we created a SAAT plan to desensitize her to the top reactive substances. Within weeks of treatment, she reported clear sinuses for the first time in years, improved sleep, and better focus. This kind of transformation, rooted in uncovering subtle sensitivities, is exactly the kind of outcome Randolph envisioned in his work.

Over time, this evolved into a broader system of health evaluation used in chiropractic, naturopathic, acupuncture, and integrative medicine settings.

How Does Muscle Testing Work?

At its core, muscle testing is a form of biofeedback. The practitioner applies gentle pressure to a specific muscle—typically an arm muscle—and observes whether it stays strong or weakens in response to a stimulus. The theory is that the body’s nervous system will cause muscles to weaken when exposed to a stressor—such as an allergen, pathogen, toxin, or emotional trigger.

This contraction/release response acts as a yes/no communication system, allowing the practitioner to:

Identify imbalances
Prioritize areas for treatment
Select appropriate herbs, supplements, or therapies

This isn’t about testing physical strength—it's about how energy flows through the nervous system and how the body "speaks" through muscle tone.

Some call this tapping into the "cellular memory" of the body—the idea that every cell stores information about past exposures and current needs for healing.

Muscle Testing for Allergies and Sensitivities

One of the most helpful uses of muscle testing in our clinic is identifying allergies and sensitivities. By placing a potential allergen (such as alpha-gal, milk, gluten, mold, or pollen) near the patient’s body and testing a muscle response, we observe whether it causes the muscle to weaken. If it does, it suggests the body has a stress response to that substance.

A 2001 study by Leisman et al. found a correlation between Applied Kinesiology muscle testing and serum immunoglobulin levels in food allergy cases, indicating that the body’s muscle responses may reflect actual immune reactions (Leisman et al., 2001).

How Muscle Testing Supports SAAT Acupuncture at Our Clinic

At True Acupuncture and Wellness, muscle testing plays an essential role in developing personalized treatment plans—especially when it comes to allergies and sensitivities treated with SAAT Acupuncture.

Here’s how we use it:

Identify allergens or triggers: We use muscle testing to determine which substances are energetically weakening your system. These can include common allergens like alpha-gal, dairy, gluten, or pollen, but also less obvious ones like EMFs, chemicals, or dental materials.
Guide the SAAT protocol: Once we've identified your allergens, we use SAAT acupuncture to treat and desensitize your body to these substances.
Personalized care: Muscle testing allows us to go beyond generic protocols and create a treatment plan that reflects your unique sensitivities and healing needs.

This approach is especially helpful for patients with complex conditions like Alpha-Gal Syndrome, MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome), mold illness, Lyme disease, and chronic food intolerances.

Many patients find muscle testing to be one of the most eye-opening parts of their healing journey. It connects the dots between symptoms and root causes, helping us target treatment with greater accuracy.

A Whole-Person Approach to Energy and Biology

In his book The Biology of Belief, Dr. Bruce Lipton explains how DNA expression is influenced by thoughts, beliefs, and external signals, not just genetic programming. From this perspective, muscle testing allows us to detect energy blocks or emotional stress that may be disrupting your health—even before they appear in lab results (Lipton, 2005).

We integrate this into our broader energy-based therapies, such as:

Allergy Identification and SAAT Acupuncture Desensitization
Mold & Mycotoxins, Biotoxin and Parasite Detox Protocols
Lyme Disease, Tick-Borne Illness, and Co-Infection Support
Emotional and psychological balancing (PTSD, trauma, anxiety, stress, depression, etc.)
Herbal Medicine Support

What the Research and Critics Say

Muscle testing has its critics, especially in the conventional medical field. Several studies have shown that while orthopedic muscle testing has value in assessing muscle function, Applied Kinesiology has not consistently demonstrated accuracy in diagnosing disease. For example, one study testing for wasp venom allergies found muscle testing to be no more accurate than chance (Hyman, 1979).

A 2013 review stated: “In the experimental studies that do meet accepted standards of science, Applied Kinesiology has not demonstrated that it is a useful or reliable diagnostic tool upon which health decisions can be based” (Hall et al., 2013).

That said, many integrative practitioners and patients continue to find it helpful as part of a broader approach to identifying and treating health stressors. It’s most powerful when combined with clinical experience, symptom tracking, and personalized treatment protocols.

Is Muscle Testing Right for You?

If you're struggling with chronic symptoms and haven't found clear answers, muscle testing may offer a new lens through which to view your health. When used alongside clinical reasoning, acupuncture, and integrative medicine, it becomes a powerful tool for guiding healing in a personalized and whole-person way.

We don’t claim muscle testing is a substitute for bloodwork or imaging. But it can be a life-changing complement—especially in complex allergy cases, chronic infections, and inflammatory conditions.

My Journey with Muscle Testing

My first experience with muscle testing was in 2013 while I was in my doctorate program. A colleague certified in NAET (Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques) demonstrated the technique, and I was immediately fascinated. She used muscle testing primarily to treat children with autism and reported remarkably high success rates.

From that moment on, I knew I wanted to incorporate it into my future practice. My plan was to pursue formal training after completing my degree, but the realities of launching a clinic—and later, the disruptions of the pandemic—put that goal on hold.

It wasn’t until 2022 that I was finally able to resume muscle testing training. After completing my certification in SAAT and Auricular Medicine, I decided to test its effectiveness firsthand. I offered complimentary treatment to 100 patients, to both hone my skills and ensure the method truly delivered results.

Since then, I’ve performed close to 3,000 SAAT acupuncture treatments, using muscle testing to personalize protocols for a wide range of allergies—from environmental and food sensitivities to mold, personal care products, and more.

Patient Testimonial

One of our most memorable success stories comes from a patient named Hope R. who suffered from a painful lip allergy for six years. She shared:

"I came to Dr. Joe a broken person. Years of a painful lip allergy that every dermatologist in Franklin brushed off as dermatitis. Years of medications and steroids that never helped. When I walked in his office there was no doubt I was in the place that God led me to. He told me that after 7 days I would have relief. I woke up on the 7th morning and I was pain free for the 1st time in 6 years. I cannot stress enough how amazed I am. I feel like a completely different person. I will refer him to everyone I know."

Her allergy was identified through muscle testing and treated successfully using SAAT acupuncture. Stories like Hope’s show the potential of this integrative method to bring lasting relief when conventional approaches fall short.

Your Next Step

If you're curious whether muscle testing can help uncover the root of your symptoms or guide your SAAT acupuncture plan, we invite you to schedule a consultation. Whether you’re navigating complex allergies, mold illness, Lyme, or chronic inflammation—we’re here to help you find answers and healing.

References

Cuthbert, S., & Goodheart, G. (2007). On the reliability and validity of manual muscle testing: A literature review. Chiropractic & Osteopathy, 15(1), 4. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-1340-15-4

Hall, S., Lewith, G., Brien, S., Little, P., & Webley, F. (2013). A review of the literature in applied kinesiology. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 21, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1186/2045-709X-21-1

Hyman, R. (1979). Testing the claims of applied kinesiology. Skeptical Inquirer, 4(1), 33–40.

Kendall, H. O., & Kendall, F. P. (1949). Muscles: Testing and function. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Leisman, G., Shafer, D., & McKee, D. (2001). Correlation of applied kinesiology muscle testing findings with serum immunoglobulin levels for food allergies. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 93(2), 533–543. https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.2001.93.2.533

Lipton, B. H. (2005). The biology of belief: Unleashing the power of consciousness, matter & miracles. Hay House.

Randolph, T., & Moss, R. (1982). An alternative approach to allergy. New York, NY: Bantam Books.

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About Dr. Joe Phiakhamta, DAOM

Dr. Joe is a licensed acupuncturist and Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine based at True Acupuncture and Wellness in Franklin, Tennessee. He specializes in chronic pain, allergies, tick-borne illnesses, immune system imbalances, and gut health issues. Dr. Joe integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine, SAAT acupuncture, and herbal medicine to provide personalized care that restores balance, enhances well-being, and offers lasting relief from complex and often misunderstood conditions.

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