Biofeedback: A Guide to Better Health

Feedback, a signal of function, is an important aspect of life. As an example, consider the dashboard of a vehicle. The dashboard is designed to provide feedback to the driver about various systems of the vehicle. There is a gauge for engine temperature, RPMs, vehicle speed, oil level, fuel level, and more. These dials or lights provide valuable information to keep the vehicle operating as smoothly as possible and not stranded on the side of the road.

Tangible indicators such as these would prove useful to individuals in their pursuit of health and wellness, prevention of unnecessary diseases, and decreasing the discomforts of intense, chronic pain. Similar to the vehicle, the human body is actually designed to provide feedback about the various systems of the body - this feedback is called biofeedback. Unlike the vehicle that has gauges and lights, the body provides feedback through symptoms: dysfunction, pain, or loss of sensory information.

Health Defined

Health is more than just the absence of disease or symptoms; health is maintaining optimal function of the entire body. All too often, medical procedures are "symptom chasers", getting rid of the symptom but not treating the underlying cause. This practice would be similar to covering the fuel light of a vehicle with black tape when it comes on to indicate low fuel levels - the symptom is corrected, but the underlying cause is never addressed. Treating the cause of health concerns would alleviate the symptoms and also prevent disease. This approach to health would allow all to achieve wellness through optimal function and also drastically lower health care costs! Benjamin Franklin stated, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!"

Applied Kinesiology: Application of Biofeedback

Applied Kinesiology is a diagnostic tool that accesses subconscious biofeedback to prevent health issues long before they arise - similar to the fuel light in an automobile. These signals are interpreted through the means of a muscle test. Muscle testing allows an Applied Kinesiologist physician to examine neuromuscular feedback and effectively diagnose and treat the body according to its needs. Muscles are effective in this purpose since they are richly innervated and have a direct link with the nervous system - the master control system of the body. ¹

Small problems located within organs, joints, nerves, or muscles can create huge health problems over time! By implementing muscle tests, a physician can learn where the nervous system is communicating a need for restoration, thus enhancing performance and improving one's life. Various methods of therapy can be implemented to treat abnormalities found via muscles tests. Therapies include chiropractic adjustments, various soft tissue therapies, cranial mobilization, neuroemotional therapy, cold laser therapy, meridian therapy, homeopathy, nutrition, dietary management, rehabilitation exercises, and reflexology procedures.² All of these therapies are indicated by the individual's body and assure that the physician complies with Hippocrates law, "First, do no harm!"

The human body is a complex and amazing structure. Tap into its infinite possibilities of health and function through Applied Kinesiology!