Treating and Preventing Injuries -- Improving Performance

Applied Kinesiology tests for and corrects imbalanced muscles. Trained athletes are often shocked to find that specific muscles cannot hold against simple resistance. Though overall they are very strong, a thorough kinesiology examination often finds certain muscles are weak. This is especially true for elite athletes because of overtraining and accumulated injuries, but is also a problem in weekend athletes. Weak or poorly functioning muscles do not stabilize joints and can lead to injuries. Correcting muscle imbalances can also significantly improve athletic performance.

What is even more surprising is seeing the muscles, which were weak, return to full strength with just a simple correction. Typically weakness is a result of reflex patterns of muscle dysfunction, rather than lack of strength. The weakness may be due to local injuries, or more complex patterns involving scrambled connections in neurological patterns such as walking.

Kinesiology uses muscle testing as a diagnostic technique but uses a large number of corrections, many based on acupuncture and related techniques. In addition, chiropractic structural corrections, nutritional support and many other procedures can be used to speed healing or improve performance.

Dr. Manlove has worked with many bicyclists and triatheletes. Kinesiology is similar to tuning up a high performance bicycle. The bike might work with the spokes out of tune, but it will go faster and with less effort if everything is in balance.

Kinesiology is especially effective at finding the cause of subtle or hard to diagnose problems. For example, a foot problem may be coming from the back, or vice versa.

The founder of Applied Kinesiology, George Goodheart, DC, became the first chiropractor appointed to the U.S. Olympic medical staff at the Lake Placid Winter games. This appointment was undoubtedly enhanced by his successful treatment of the Olympic medical director, Irving Dardik, MD, who had been suffering a persistent leg problem while running. When he was working with the downhill skiers at Lake Placid, Dr. Goodheart noticed a specific muscle failure pattern that developed during a competitor's tuck position, resulting in an obvious performance slump for the athlete. As an avid and accomplished skier himself, Goodheart's familiarity with the sport allowed him to discover the cause of the problem. From that experience he developed the concept of Aerobic Muscle Weakness -- muscle failure that only shows up on repeated contraction -- and he fixed the problem.

The best way to explain kinesiology is through demonstration. Once you see it work, and, more importantly, feel its effects on your body, you will be amazed.

Dr. Manlove has taken extensive postgraduate study in Applied Kinesiology. This training gives him the ability to diagnose muscle dysfunction, gait abnormalities, and functional elements of the body that elude most practitioners. He is also trained in nutritional therapies, acupuncture, including acupressure, and a variety of soft tissue release techniques for treating competitive athletes and weekend warriors alike.

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Manlove, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Manlove. Dr. Manlove encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

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