Friday, May 12, 2017

George Goodheart’s Development of Applied Kinesiology


Dr. Timothy Francis is an experienced practitioner of applied kinesiology, chiropractic medicine, homeopathy, and other naturopathic approaches to treatment. He has conducted trainings and given lectures throughout the United States and in Canada, China, and other countries. Among other teaching positions, Dr. Timothy Francis has provided instruction in atlas adjusting with the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, part of the Southern California University of Health Sciences system. 

George Goodheart, a chiropractor, was a pioneer in advancing the theories that form the basis of applied kinesiology today. According to the International College of Applied Kinesiology, Goodheart observed as far back as the mid-1960s that manual testing of a patient’s muscle function could be used to develop specific chiropractic methods designed to make dysfunctional muscles balanced. 

Goodheart’s work led him to explore areas beyond his own profession, including biochemistry, the effects of nutrition, and alternative therapies like acupuncture and psychology. His insights allowed him to establish the systematic, holistic way of examining and treating patients that developed into applied kinesiology. 

Today, applied kinesiology is also known as muscle strength testing. Its advocates work to demonstrate how it can be useful in identifying and treating nutritional problems and conditions affecting the nervous system, among other issues. 

In 1980, Goodheart became the first-ever chiropractor to hold a place on the medical team working with the athletes on the United States Olympic roster, for the Winter Games held in Lake Placid, New York. He died in 2008.