Kinesiology is an increasingly popular alternative therapy, but what exactly is it?
We spoke to local Kinesiologist, Ann Shorthouse, about the benefits of this unique practice.
"Our body will let us know that something is out of sync, emotionally, energetically or nutritionally by way of discomfort, pain or illness, often before we were aware that there was a problem. It is almost like the body wants to let us know that something isn’t right but can’t, so illness or pain is its best way of communicating an imbalance,” explained Ann Shorthouse, owner of Taunton Kinesiology.
That is what Ann felt happened to her. She had successfully built a natural health and nutrition business with Forever Living when her daughter was born five years ago. “You know when parents say, ‘having a child changes your life’, well my daughter didn’t change mine" Ann said. "The expectations I had of myself were to continue working at the same level as before, whilst still being a full-time mum and the main earner in the family.”
This pressure, along with major house renovations, resulted in Ann experiencing depression. That is when her body gave her a clear message she couldn’t continue, and Ann developed trigeminal neuralgia: a nerve condition which causes sudden severe facial pain. Shocked by the medical profession which suggested brain surgery as a solution, Ann privately funded an MRI scan, went through multiple alternative therapies (counselling, nutritional advice, acupuncture, osteopathy) but nothing relieved the pain for more than a day or two. A friend suggested kinesiology and Ann organised a visit straight away. Six weeks after the kinesiology treatment, Ann started to wean herself off the painkillers and eventually recovered.
“During the session with the kinesiologist, I was fascinated by how he combined a logical approach, including chiropractic methods and Western nutritional science with holistic healing methods such as Chinese medicine” added Ann. “He looked like a scientist doing detective work on my body. After this experience, I decided to train as a kinesiologist myself and help people with this amazing treatment practice.”
So, what exactly is kinesiology? The practice was developed in the 1960s by two chiropractors. A kinesiologist will carry out various gentle muscle tests to work out if your organs are nutritionally, energetically and emotionally healthy and balanced. If your muscles are unable to resist a simple physical pressure, then that indicates an imbalance with the related organ.
Ann will then investigate and draw upon various therapies (e.g. nutrition, reiki, acupuncture, massage, coaching) to balance that organ until you are able to match the same pressure in the re-test, indicating the muscle and related organ are functioning at their best again.
“It is not until you have experienced the difference in muscle strength within 10 minutes of balancing, that you know how powerful this method is,” Ann said. “Kinesiology is about letting the body communicate any imbalances and their solutions. The body knows so much better what it needs than we do, and muscle testing allows us to access the body’s innate wisdom,” Ann explained. Kinesiology may reveal that your stomach issue is linked to a zinc deficiency, or that the best solution for your skin condition is abstaining from certain foods for a while; or that a flower essence could help you with depression.
“My clients often refer to me as the ‘body interpreter’, as my job is to interpret what the body needs or wants,” Ann added.
Ann treats people who are experiencing a range of ailments, but kinesiology also works well by preventing problems before they arise. When the body is effectively balanced, it can heal itself, so whether you are well, and want to make sure you stay well, or your body is expressing an imbalance through pain, stress or illness, kinesiology can help.
BALANCING ALL ESSENTIAL ASPECTS OF WELL-BEING
Nutritional: Checking which nutrients the body is lacking and if it needs supplementation and which foods you should avoid to allow the body to heal.
Structural/physical: Checking if individual muscles are working as well as they should be. Lymphatic massage and holding specific points on the head to stimulate blood flow to the related organ.
Emotional: Checking which emotions are relevant to your physical health and releasing the impact of these emotions using flower essences, coaching and tapping.
Energetic: Checking for which organs and glands are energetically out of balance. Adjustments are made using relevant acupuncture points and tracing meridian lines.
IS KINESIOLOGY FOR ME?
Are you…
• Interested in a whole-body approach to well-being including nutrition, energy and emotions.
• Keen for a general health MOT or stomach balance.
• Wondering if you might be sensitive to certain foods.
• Keen to investigate which nutrients your body might be deficient in and which supplements could really make a difference.
• Interested in detecting and addressing the root cause of your illness.
•Feeling out of sync.
If you answer yes, contact Ann and see what she can offer you.
ann@tauntonkinesiology.co.uk
tauntonkinesiology.co.uk