Patent Application
20130331736
This invention relates generally to applied kinesiology, or AK, and, in particular, to apparatus and methods that provide consistent standardized results by accurately measuring a patient's resistance throughout an AK evaluation cycle.
Applied kinesiology (AK) is used to evaluate structural, chemical, and mental aspects of human health through muscle testing and conventional diagnostic methods. The theory is that every organ dysfunction is accompanied by a weakness in a specific corresponding muscle in what is termed the “viscerosomatic relationship.” A manual muscle test in AK is conducted by having the patient resist using the target muscle or muscle group while the practitioner applies a force. A smooth response is sometimes referred to as a “strong muscle” and a response that was not appropriate is sometimes called a “weak response.” A common test is the arm-pull-down test, or “Delta test,” where the patient resists as the practitioner exerts a downward force on an extended arm. Proper positioning is critical to ensure that the muscle in question is properly isolated to minimize interference from adjacent muscle groups.
“Nutrient testing” is used to examine the response of various of a patient's muscles to assorted chemicals. Gustatory and olfactory stimulation are said to alter the outcome of a manual muscle test, with previously weak muscles being strengthened by application of the correct nutritional supplement, and previously strong muscles being weakened by exposure to harmful or imbalancing substances or allergens.
Many health care professionals, chiropractors and people who practice AK utilize the technique to test patients for foods that they are allergic to, as well as deficient body organs such as the thyroid, adrenals, diaphragm, ribs out of place, etc. This is accomplished with a manual muscle test wherein the patient holds their arm out horizontally while the doctor or health care professional pushes down on their arm to the point where the arm is ready to collapse. The patient then picks up a target food and returns their arm to the original position. If the patient is allergic to the food, his/her arm will drop and the muscle will become much weaker because the electrical/nervous system of the body rejects it.
Numerous studies have been done utilizing this method and there have been inconsistent results. The results have varied between one doctor and another because there are too many variables, one being how hard the patient is resisting. After a few minutes of testing it is not unusual for the patient's arm to lose some of its strength. Likewise, the practitioner cannot be consistent on how hard he/she pushes down on the patient's arm and after a few minutes of testing, the practitioner may not be pushing down as hard.
What is lacking is consistency—i.e., standardization—and that is why the results vary from doctor-to-doctor, patient-to-patient and test-to-test. There is no true baseline to provide standardization of testing and therefore accurate results. The patient's strength may fluctuate as much as 20% to 30% depending on how he/she is feeling at that moment in time or what his/her stamina is like. Likewise, the doctor may not be pushing down as hard and may not be consistent at all times. Therefore, the results obtained through AK can fluctuate greatly because there is a variable on the part of the doctor applying it and, of course, the patient resisting. This method of AK is considered a yardstick with many variables. Therefore, it often cannot be counted upon.
There are devices that measure forces associated with manual muscle testing. U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,148, entitled “Manual Muscle Tester,” the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a portable device with an external actuator, a case capable of being held in one hand and a digital display indicating peak force applied to the actuator. Strain gages connected in a bridge circuit are located on a flexure contacted by the actuator. The flexure is a cantilever beam shaped to fit the small case and to prevent reflected or mounting stresses being registered in the force display. While this device is capable of being used for AK, there is no provision for stable mounting, nor are there any provisions for substances being tested in conjunction with the individual.
This invention resides in applied kinesiology (AK) testing apparatus and methods that eliminates uncertainties associated with applied kinesiology (AK) processes and provides consistent standardized results by accurately measuring a patient's resistance throughout an evaluation cycle. The patient applies a standard measured resistance, and when the item to be tested is held by the patient, the machine measures the decrease in resistance from the body, thereby accurately quantifying the patient's response to the food or other item being tested.
In terms of apparatus, the invention comprises a housing and a vertical member extending upwardly from the housing. The member includes a lower portion that enters into the housing wherein it is coupled to a device to measure applied pressure. The measurement device is in communication with a readout on the housing that indicates the applied pressure. The vertical member has an upper end coupled to a platform adapted to receive a pressure-producing body part, and a receptacle coupled to the platform is provided to hold a food or material that may be associated with an allergic reaction.
In one embodiment the device to measure applied pressure may be a mechanical weight scale. Alternatively, the device to measure applied pressure includes an electronic sensor in communication with a numerical readout. The vertical member may include a height adjustment mechanism. The platform is preferably in the form of a cradle to receive a person's wrist or arm. The system may further including tabs or lugs enabling the housing to be fastened to a stable surface.
A method of determining if a person is allergic to a food or other item, comprising the steps of:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
This invention eliminates uncertainties associated with applied kinesiology (AK) processes and provides consistent standardized results by accurately measuring a patient's resistance throughout an evaluation. The patient applies a standard measured resistance, and when the item to be tested is held by the patient, the machine measures the decrease in resistance from the body, thereby accurately quantifying the patient's response to the food or other item being tested.
In operation, when a user presses down on the cradle 102, the readout 114 displays the applied force in appropriate units such as pounds, kilograms, etc. The readout may be mechanical, as shown, in which case the cradle 102 and support 108 are coupled to the readout 114 in the same way as a weight-measurement scale. Alternatively, the vertical support 108 may interface with a flexure driving electronic circuitry to provide an active numerical readout. As one example, the mechanism and circuitry described in the '148 patent referenced may be adapted for such purpose.
The correct method of utilizing the machine 100 is for the patient to slide his/her wrist against the device of the top of the machine and push for a predetermined period of time in the range of 10-60 seconds, more preferably on the order of 40 seconds. The meter will indicate the force being utilized and should be done at least twice, more preferably three or more times. The average of the applied pressures in each case now provide a stabilized force that the testing will be based upon.
The patient then slides his/her arm forward and reaches into the basket 104 to pick up the food that the patient may be allergic to. The patient then slides his/her arm back to the original position to measure the force with the patient holding the suspected food product and repeats the test. If the patient is allergic to the food product he/she will not be able to sustain the force previously accomplished.
The machine can be utilized by using the patient's other arm to touch various organs. If for instance, a rib is out, the patient's finger can be applied to the various ribs and when the rib that is out of adjustment is touched, the patient will go weak. The same applies to the patient's diaphragm being out of adjustment, it can also be placed on the thyroid and should the patient have hypothyroidism the patient will go weak. If adrenals are depleted and the same process will occur if a finger is placed over the adrenals, the same applies to many organs of the body.
