Article in the Daily Express by Lucy Miller 29/9/03

Tuned in to Healing

West End star Gemma Craven, who has appeared in a string of hit musicals, turned to the hands-on healing therapy of kinesiology to help her recover from a severe throat infection.

How does it work?

Kinesiology may sound like a treatment Captain Kirk might have in an episode of Star Trek but supporters say it provides an invaluable insight into the body's functioning.

The treatment, which takes a holistic approach, is based on the idea that any imbalance in the body, whether physical or emotional, can be detected according to the way your muscles respond.

The therapy combines gentle muscle testing with some of the principles of T raditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), particularly acupressure. It works on the theory that your body knows what's wrong with it and, by using muscle testing, practitioners can tap into that information.

"Kinesiology is about letting the body reveal precisely where and what the problem is" says Jane Thurnell-Read, a kinesiologist who practices in Penzance, Cornwall. "It's not a medical treatment, it's about whether things are too fast or too slow, in balance or out of balance, or it there's too much or too little."

The therapy draws on the principles of acupressure and the body's energy pathways, known as meridians, to identify imbalances. Then it corrects them using alternative therapies.

Kinesiology was founded in 1964 by American chiropractor Dr George Goodheart. He devised a series of energy circuits running through our bodies which, like meridians, link the mind, muscles and organs.

Any imbalance or blockage in a circuit can be felt through the relevant muscle according to whether it resists pressure, which signals health, or is limp and feels spongy.>

"Since then, people with different backgrounds have gone on to develop different forms of kinesiology," says Jane. "Educational kinesiology, for example, was developed by a practitioner interested in dyslexia."

There are numerous types of kinesiology, including classical, clinical, creative, educational, health and systematic.

No matter which variation you choose, once your practitioner has identified any imbalance or health problem, they may then use massage, chiropractic, herbalism, nutrition or homeopathy to restore your body's balance.

What is it good for?

It can identify eating disorders, phobias, shyness, aches and pains, lack of energy, menopausal problems, arthritis, migraines, eczema, PMT and stress. It's also effective in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Kinesiology is often employed to diagnose food intolerances. A practitioner will ask you to hold vials containing various foods in one hand while monitoring the muscle reaction in your opposite arm. The theory is that sensitivity to certain foods can interfere with energy flow, which can be assessed with muscle testing.

How else can it help?

Educational kinesiology, particularly the Brain Gym Programme, can be successful in helping children with learning difficulties.

This programme was originally devised to help children with dyslexia but it can help all children improve their memories and co-ordination and also relieve stress. It is said to improve reading, writing, spelling, listening and comprehension.

The programme, developed by American educationalist Dr Paul Dennison, who is dyslexic, is used increasingly in schools. It employs a wide variety of exercises to improve co-ordination and balance.

These aim to strengthen neural connections and help both sides of the brain work together. Studies have found that many people with learning difficulties have trouble integrating their left and right brain hemispheres.

What can you expect?

Your initial consultation will begin with discussing your medical history, what a session involves and what you hope to gain from the treatment. Your practitioner will usually ask you to lie on a couch, fully clothed, although it can be done sitting, before moving on to muscle testing.

The practitioner will move an arm, leg or both to isolate a specific muscle. You'll be asked to hold the position while they apply gentle pressure. The practitioner will concentrate on how the muscle responds, whether it resists the pressure or remains limp.

"During a session a practitioner might test the same muscle repeatedly or as many as 40 different muscles," says Jane.

Once they have the information they need, a practitioner may use other methods for correcting imbalances. You may be asked to hold crystals or have magnets placed on a specific area of your body. They may also suggest another therapy such as massage, osteopathy or a nutritional programme.

"The number of sessions you need doesn't always relate to the severity of the problem," says Jane. "You may need one or up to six, but most people leave a session saying they feel very relaxed."

Further information: The Kinesiology Federation 08700 113545 or visit

www.kinesiologyfederation.org

Educational Kinesiology UK Foundation 020 8202 3141 or visit