Kinesiology: Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Stress Relief
Ever heard of kinesiology and thought, “What the hell is that?” You're not alone. Let's break it down—starting with where it came from and why it's becoming a go-to for stress, anxiety, and various physical issues.
A quick trip through kinesiology’s roots
The term kinesiology originates from the Greek words kinesis (movement) and logia (study), meaning the study of movement.
In the 1960s, American chiropractor Dr. George Goodheart developed Applied Kinesiology (AK). He observed that muscle testing could be used to assess the functional integrity of the nervous system and muscles, leading to the development of AK as a diagnostic tool. Australian Kinesiology Association
Building upon Goodheart's work, Dr. John Thie introduced "Touch for Health" in 1973. This system adapted AK techniques for use by the general public, integrating aspects of traditional Chinese medicine, such as meridian energy pathways, with muscle testing.
In the late 1980s, American scientist Charles Krebs developed the Learning Enhancement Acupressure Program (LEAP) after recovering from a life-threatening diving accident. A kinesiology practitioner since 1984, Krebs conducted extensive research into the brain and nervous system, kinesiology techniques, and energetic sciences. His scientific research and success as a kinesiology practitioner have advanced the field and cemented it as one of the world's most powerful healing therapies. O’Neill Kinesiology College
These developments laid the foundation for various branches of kinesiology practiced today.
Sooo... What is kinesiology anyway?
Kinesiology is a gentle, non-invasive, and holistic therapy that works with the mind and body to restore balance and well-being. It uses muscle monitoring—a form of biofeedback—to communicate with your nervous system and access the body’s subconscious.
By applying light pressure to specific muscles, a practitioner can detect stress responses in your body. These responses aren’t always noticeable in day-to-day life, but they reveal areas of imbalance across physical, emotional, mental, chemical, and energetic levels.
Kinesiology helps uncover the underlying cause—the “why” behind what you're feeling. Think of it as tuning into your body’s internal GPS to figure out where things have gone off course. No two sessions are ever the same - each session is tailored to what you need on the day.
What can kinesiology help with?
Kinesiology is incredibly versatile. It can support almost any area of health and well-being, including:
Mental & emotional stress: anxiety, overwhelm, burnout, low mood, trauma patterns
Physical symptoms: chronic pain, fatigue, tension, injuries, postural issues
Hormonal imbalances: PMS, menopause, perimenopause, fertility concerns
Digestive and immune issues: bloating, food sensitivities, skin conditions, inflammation
Learning and brain integration: focus, memory, behavioural or developmental concerns in kids and adults
And much more
It’s particularly helpful for people who’ve “tried everything” and still feel stuck, or who are dealing with symptoms that don’t show up on conventional tests.
Why kinesiology?
Kinesiology works with the whole person, not just isolated symptoms. It recognises that the mind and body are deeply connected and empowers your body’s natural ability to heal, regulate, and re-balance itself.