We had some folks over for the 4th of July, and one of our guests is a young woman who is studying chiropractic. She knows that I have food intolerances, so she told me that one of the things she is learning is applied kinesiology and muscle testing for food intolerances.
She said that if I held in my mouth or in my hand, a piece of some food, it would cause the muscles in the other arm to be weaker if I was indeed intolerant of that food. I absolutely did not believe that would work, so we tried it.
She had me hold my left arm down by my side with the hand turned out and the elbow straight, and she told me to work at just keeping my arm down. She then pulled on my arm to lift it to the side. I was pretty strong, and she could barely move my arm. The she put a piece of a hot dog bun in my right hand, and we did the test again. Much to my astonishment, even though I was working to keep my arm down, she was able to lift it way up. We did this at least three times, and each time I could keep my arm down if my other hand was empty, and my arm went up if I was holding bread!
We tried it with a tomato, and my arm stayed down both when I was holding the tomato and when I wasn't. Same with rice and corn.
With cheese, she was able to pull my arm up when I was holding the cheese, but it wasn't as marked as the gluten test. When I held a bottle of soy sauce, my arm went up a little, but not much, and it did the same when I held a bottle of fish sauce, which I don't think I have a problem with.
My husband kept his arm down even when he was holding bread, but she was able to lift both my sons' arms when they were holding bread. And my sons are strong men in their early 30s.
Have any of you ever heard of this sort of thing? It seems like the weirdest thing ever. DH and my sons both insist that it must be some sort of psychological effect, because you know when you're holding bread and when you're not. But honestly, none of us believed that it would work, so it's not like I was trying to prove that it would work.
Any thoughts from the PP?
Martha
strange experience: muscle testing
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi Martha,
Chiropractors have been actively promoting kinesiology for a number of years now as a way to get into the GI game. I'm not saying that there is not a psycholological effect that can affect muscle strength, but a little engineer's voice in me reminds me that I would want to see a tension scale between my arm and the person attempting to lift it, just to make sure that the applied pressure was consistent.
This effect probably falls into the placebo category. IOW, it is difficult to prevent the brain from doing what it wants to do, and this may be a conscious response based on our knowledge of foods. Since the brain determines muscle response, it can certainly affect muscle strength.
That said, there is certainly a possibility that the brain knows (by way of feedback from the enteric nervous system) which foods cause digestive system reactions, and which ones do not, and it responds accordingly. Normally, we have no way to access that information, but perhaps this is a primitive way of doing that. This response would be above and beyond conscious knowledge, if it does indeed exist.
IOW, I don't have the foggiest idea if it is legit or not, but this should cover all the possibilities.
Tex
Chiropractors have been actively promoting kinesiology for a number of years now as a way to get into the GI game. I'm not saying that there is not a psycholological effect that can affect muscle strength, but a little engineer's voice in me reminds me that I would want to see a tension scale between my arm and the person attempting to lift it, just to make sure that the applied pressure was consistent.
This effect probably falls into the placebo category. IOW, it is difficult to prevent the brain from doing what it wants to do, and this may be a conscious response based on our knowledge of foods. Since the brain determines muscle response, it can certainly affect muscle strength.
That said, there is certainly a possibility that the brain knows (by way of feedback from the enteric nervous system) which foods cause digestive system reactions, and which ones do not, and it responds accordingly. Normally, we have no way to access that information, but perhaps this is a primitive way of doing that. This response would be above and beyond conscious knowledge, if it does indeed exist.
IOW, I don't have the foggiest idea if it is legit or not, but this should cover all the possibilities.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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twirlitgirl
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 181
- Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2014 5:46 am
- Location: Canada
Hi Martha,
What about if the person being tested was blindfolded and the food placed in your hand wasn't seen by you but placed there by someone else , would it work the same way ? interesting stuff , thanks for sharing. hugs
What about if the person being tested was blindfolded and the food placed in your hand wasn't seen by you but placed there by someone else , would it work the same way ? interesting stuff , thanks for sharing. hugs
diagnosed with LC by biopsy
in May 2013 , supplements B complex, Vit C ,Vit D3 Zinc, with a multivitamin, and magnesium to round out the pack.
in May 2013 , supplements B complex, Vit C ,Vit D3 Zinc, with a multivitamin, and magnesium to round out the pack.
Hi Martha,
Very interesting story! As a matter of fact, somebody told me a few months ago that her chiropractor did food testing like that. I honestly was very sceptic about it!
Last month I went to visit my parents and my sister in Switzerland. I was there for ten days, and on 7 days, I had treatments provided by a good friend of mine who has specialized in Chinese Medicine and acupuncture. She also uses some German tools (Harmonizer, Timewaver). Anyway....she did acupuncture and tuina massage to help me with the weird sensations in my right leg (pain in my thigh, sometimes the entire leg, sometimes tingling, weird temperature sensations, feeling of heaviness, etc.). I was not sure whether to believe in it or not, but every day when I left her practice, my symptoms were completely gone. I have to say it was quite impressive! Well, on one of the days she said she wanted to test me for food sensitivities. She said she could test it while I was standing but if she tested several items it would get tiring for me and my arms. So, I had to lie on my back on the cot. She was standing behind me, behind my head. She had an assistant place one tiny glass vial after another with different substances in them on my chest. I could NOT see what was in them. My friend moved my arms. I will try to explain how. Imagine you are on your back on the floor and hold both sides of your head with your hands. So basically your upper arms are at a 90 degree angle from your upper body with your elbows pointing out. From that position my friend pulled my wrists towards her so my arms would be completely extended. The assistant would put a vial on my chest, my friend would then pull my arms to an extended position, declare a yes or a no, the assistant would then place the vial on a yes or no pile and put the next vial on my chest. It was a very fast process. There was only one instance when my friend moved my arms a second time before she declared yes or no. I asked her how she knew whether I reacted to it or not. She said that from her position, she was watching how my arms were in the shoulder joint. She said that depending on whether I reacted or not, it looked they were moving out of the joint (upwards). I asked her why they would do that and she said the same thing your guest said, that food sensitivities had an influence on my muscles. Again, I was very sceptic to say the least. I had Enterolab testing done for the major four offenders, gluten, dairy, eggs, and soy in November. All four tested positive on the Enterolab test. According to my friend's test, I tested positive to: gluten, dairy, eggs, fructose, and histamine. She told me that soy did not show up as positive.
I know that I myself did not see what vial she was testing. I did not even know which ones she was going to test. Obviously, she had decided on which substances she wanted to test and had given the assistant those vials. I don't think my friend saw which vial she was testing at each moment. She was focused on moving my arms and staring at my shoulder joints. But I cannot say with complete certainty that she did not see which one had been placed on my chest by the assistant.
Love, Patricia
Very interesting story! As a matter of fact, somebody told me a few months ago that her chiropractor did food testing like that. I honestly was very sceptic about it!
Last month I went to visit my parents and my sister in Switzerland. I was there for ten days, and on 7 days, I had treatments provided by a good friend of mine who has specialized in Chinese Medicine and acupuncture. She also uses some German tools (Harmonizer, Timewaver). Anyway....she did acupuncture and tuina massage to help me with the weird sensations in my right leg (pain in my thigh, sometimes the entire leg, sometimes tingling, weird temperature sensations, feeling of heaviness, etc.). I was not sure whether to believe in it or not, but every day when I left her practice, my symptoms were completely gone. I have to say it was quite impressive! Well, on one of the days she said she wanted to test me for food sensitivities. She said she could test it while I was standing but if she tested several items it would get tiring for me and my arms. So, I had to lie on my back on the cot. She was standing behind me, behind my head. She had an assistant place one tiny glass vial after another with different substances in them on my chest. I could NOT see what was in them. My friend moved my arms. I will try to explain how. Imagine you are on your back on the floor and hold both sides of your head with your hands. So basically your upper arms are at a 90 degree angle from your upper body with your elbows pointing out. From that position my friend pulled my wrists towards her so my arms would be completely extended. The assistant would put a vial on my chest, my friend would then pull my arms to an extended position, declare a yes or a no, the assistant would then place the vial on a yes or no pile and put the next vial on my chest. It was a very fast process. There was only one instance when my friend moved my arms a second time before she declared yes or no. I asked her how she knew whether I reacted to it or not. She said that from her position, she was watching how my arms were in the shoulder joint. She said that depending on whether I reacted or not, it looked they were moving out of the joint (upwards). I asked her why they would do that and she said the same thing your guest said, that food sensitivities had an influence on my muscles. Again, I was very sceptic to say the least. I had Enterolab testing done for the major four offenders, gluten, dairy, eggs, and soy in November. All four tested positive on the Enterolab test. According to my friend's test, I tested positive to: gluten, dairy, eggs, fructose, and histamine. She told me that soy did not show up as positive.
I know that I myself did not see what vial she was testing. I did not even know which ones she was going to test. Obviously, she had decided on which substances she wanted to test and had given the assistant those vials. I don't think my friend saw which vial she was testing at each moment. She was focused on moving my arms and staring at my shoulder joints. But I cannot say with complete certainty that she did not see which one had been placed on my chest by the assistant.
Love, Patricia
I forgot to mention the irony of the situation:
How did I get to know my friend? 1996 I was working as the head of the dietitian's department in a hospital in downtown Zurich training her to become a dietitian. She was the best intern I ever had. She graduated from dietitian school and went on to study naturopathic and Chinese medicine. We kept in touch and became close friends over the years. And here we are in the summer of 2015 and she is testing me for food sensitivities
How did I get to know my friend? 1996 I was working as the head of the dietitian's department in a hospital in downtown Zurich training her to become a dietitian. She was the best intern I ever had. She graduated from dietitian school and went on to study naturopathic and Chinese medicine. We kept in touch and became close friends over the years. And here we are in the summer of 2015 and she is testing me for food sensitivities
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
I Have used kinesiology/muscle testing for over 15 years...
I think Kari and another PP'er had a practitioner that did muscle testing for food sensitivities...
Like many things in wholistic treatments, if it works for you, go for it...
For some, if they struggle to accept/believe in the process they may not benefit.
I think Kari and another PP'er had a practitioner that did muscle testing for food sensitivities...
Like many things in wholistic treatments, if it works for you, go for it...
For some, if they struggle to accept/believe in the process they may not benefit.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Patricia,
Your tests were less subjective than mine, since neither you nor your friend knew what was in the glass vials. And you reacted right through the glass vials. That is just so strange.
Gabes, is the muscle testing that you have done like that that Patricia experienced?
Our bodies sure are complicated.
Martha
Your tests were less subjective than mine, since neither you nor your friend knew what was in the glass vials. And you reacted right through the glass vials. That is just so strange.
Gabes, is the muscle testing that you have done like that that Patricia experienced?
Our bodies sure are complicated.
Martha
Martha
My integrative medicine doc used that method on me when prescribing new supplements. I'd hold the bottle and he'd do the muscle test. Did it with my cell phone to demonstrate my body does not like it. I was very skeptical, but I'd happily do it again, especially with food! But I don;t see him anymore, and my new doc doesn't do it.
1987 Mononucleosis (EBV)
2004 Hypomyopathic Dermatomyositis
2009 Lymphocytic Colitis
2010 GF/DF/SF Diet
2014 Low Dose Naltrexone
2004 Hypomyopathic Dermatomyositis
2009 Lymphocytic Colitis
2010 GF/DF/SF Diet
2014 Low Dose Naltrexone
I saw over the weekend that the mens top tennis player, Novak Djokovic, is a believer in the test. In part, after another test, It led him to stop eating wheat, which he believes allowed him to become the #1 mens tennis player.
"Wimbledon Winner Novak Djokovic’s Diet Secret for Success"
https://www.yahoo.com/health/wimbledon- ... 56833.html
"Wimbledon Winner Novak Djokovic’s Diet Secret for Success"
https://www.yahoo.com/health/wimbledon- ... 56833.html
Hi Martha,
Like Gabes, I have been using this method to test food for several years now, and it works for me. I started it with an acupuncturist who tested me with the use of vials, with a similar method to what Patricia described. I had no idea what substance she was testing, so I doubt there was any placebo effect. My SO has learned how to test me, so I use it frequently. For me, it is another tool in the MC toolkit.
Love,
Kari
Like Gabes, I have been using this method to test food for several years now, and it works for me. I started it with an acupuncturist who tested me with the use of vials, with a similar method to what Patricia described. I had no idea what substance she was testing, so I doubt there was any placebo effect. My SO has learned how to test me, so I use it frequently. For me, it is another tool in the MC toolkit.
Love,
Kari
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." Dr. Bernstein
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
My acupuncturist did similar technique to zizzles, I would hold the food or supplement or irritant and he would muscle test and pulse test for reactions...
I also did kinesiology for mental/emotion beliefs linked to health etc... Same technique, asking the body questions, and the memories/thoughts at certain muscle reactions gave an indicator of what it was linked to... This was part of my mental and emotional work of acceptance of what is and being at peace with what is...
A different kinsesiologist also used this technique to figure out what chemicals were in my body and we worked on clearing them... He also identified some issues with Vit B12 and a few other things that I now know to be methylation issues... He couldn't pinpoint the issue scientifically but he was able to tell me that b12 synthesis was compromised...
Things like this can not totally 'heal' you, BUT they can help reduce inflammation, identify some issues or triggers, and compliment all the other things we do to optimise wellness. Like anything like this, you get what you put into it. If you go with open mind, open heart, embrace it unconditionally, you will benefit...
I also did kinesiology for mental/emotion beliefs linked to health etc... Same technique, asking the body questions, and the memories/thoughts at certain muscle reactions gave an indicator of what it was linked to... This was part of my mental and emotional work of acceptance of what is and being at peace with what is...
A different kinsesiologist also used this technique to figure out what chemicals were in my body and we worked on clearing them... He also identified some issues with Vit B12 and a few other things that I now know to be methylation issues... He couldn't pinpoint the issue scientifically but he was able to tell me that b12 synthesis was compromised...
Things like this can not totally 'heal' you, BUT they can help reduce inflammation, identify some issues or triggers, and compliment all the other things we do to optimise wellness. Like anything like this, you get what you put into it. If you go with open mind, open heart, embrace it unconditionally, you will benefit...
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
I did that type of testing many years ago and found it fascinating. The vials weren't limited to food but other environmental substances too. I found I reacted to cat hair (have three cats), pine pollen (which I know I have an allergy to, the tester did not), and construction debris (I worked in construction at the time). It did give me something to think about. Add up lots of single irritants and it can become a huge reaction. I haven't thought about it much and using it with food.
Deb
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead, where there is no path, and leave a trail.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
2007 CC
2013 thyroid cancer- total thyroidectomy
2013 Hashimoto's - numbers always "normal"
2017 Lyme's Disease
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead, where there is no path, and leave a trail.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
2007 CC
2013 thyroid cancer- total thyroidectomy
2013 Hashimoto's - numbers always "normal"
2017 Lyme's Disease