Did you know that I know write a column for the bi-monthly magazine Midwest events? Athletes have long embraced chiropractic in general, and those in the know specifically seek out applied kinesiology.
Here’s the article as it appeared in the March/April issue. I hope you enjoy.
Applied Kinesiology: How you can gain that competitive edge while reducing risk of injury
Each athlete has his/her own reasons for competing. For some it’s general health and fitness. For others it’s an innate competitive drive to win. Others love the social aspect. No matter the reason you compete, if you’re like most people, you want to minimize your risk of injury, feel great, both on the road, and at home in-between training sessions, and perform to the best of your abilities. One way to effectively achieve all of this is through applied kinesiology (AK). Nutrition, cross-training, weights…there are many ways that you can optimize your training. AK, and the method of muscle testing that is a key aspect of this approach, allows us to see the “big picture” and help us to better understand what the body needs to function at its peak. AK provides a road map of the body so you can coordinate all systems efficiently and in the most effective way possible. What’s the best sports drink for your individual body? Is there a specific food that you could cut out of your diet to eliminate that runner’s diarrhea? Are all your muscles firing like the well-tuned machine you strive to be? Imagine a NASCAR racer attempting to win a race firing on only five cylinders instead of all eight. That is what most athletes are doing every time they toe the line. If you’re going to go out there, you may as well give it your all!
Gaining Your Edge
If AK is an avenue you would like to pursue, the first step is to make an appointment with a health care practitioner who is certified in AK. When you go in for your appointment you will go over any injuries, concerns, and health history. One of the unique aspects of AK is the fact that whether you are aware of any health issues or not is inconsequential because the practitioner can determine them through a simple but methodical series of muscle tests.
A big goal is to reduce any negative symptoms that you are experiencing. But kinesiology has the strength to go even beyond that. I like to use the term Total Body Wellness. When an athlete enters my office, the main goal is to achieve Total Body Wellness. Anything I can do to help the body heal from injuries, reduce the risk of future injuries, increase performance, and overall vitality; that’s what we’re after.
As an athlete you can respect the importance of having all your muscles contracting and relaxing in appropriate harmony with the rest of your body. It’s going to be pretty hard to have a killer bike split if your quads are only firing at 35% efficiency! That’s a major aspect of AK. Through nutrition, chiropractic adjustments, meridian therapy (like acupuncture), and many other modalities, a major outcome is that your muscle, joints and entire structures are going to be more balanced, more powerful, and finely tuned. That’s not all though. The most important part of the muscle testing is actually the aid it lends in assessing the health of the nervous system and the internal organs. AK is really about total body health; powerful performance, fewer injuries, and increased vigor are just side benefits are of optimal health. (What a concept - health care that has side
benefits instead of harmful side effects).
It’s simple: the body very rarely stops working for no reason. If you have a headache, shin splints, or constipation, there’s a reason. The trick is finding the real cause and correcting that cause. With AK, I’ve seen problems that have lingered for decades resolve in weeks.
The body breaks down from the inside out
The reason that a certified kinesiologist can gain understanding of the interior of the body simply by testing muscle function is due to a phenomenon known as the viscero-somatic reflex. Viscera means organ and soma refers to the body or muscles. In essence, when we abuse our body (consciously or otherwise) it will suffer. Let me use the example of the chest muscle, the pectoralis major. If your liver is stressed out in any way, it will send a reflex to the pectoralis muscle and consequently, your performance is going to suffer. Can you imagine being in the pool and trying to do fifty laps without your pectoralis muscles fully firing? Might you suppose this puts extra burden on the surrounding muscles - muscles that are trying to pick up the slack? You can see then, how a body out of balance like this could lead to decreased performance as well as more frequent injuries.
Tried and True
Applied Kinesiology is a well-hidden secret. It’s how Dr. Jeff Spencer helped Lance Armstrong and the Discovery team win 7 Tour de Frances. It’s what Dr. Craig Buhler uses to keep the Utah Jazz in peak condition. And it’s what I used with Rasmus Henning before he placed fifth at the 2007 Lifetime Fitness Triathlon. Countless other professional athletes trust and utilize AK to optimize their training. Why not you?
Dr. Chris Frykman is a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in Kinesiology which is the BEST news for athletes. As a Certified Kinesiologist and an USAT Certified Tri Coach, Dr Chris provides the most customized and targeted care for athletes to keep them in win victory status. Dr Chris uses the most innovative treatment through Total Body Wellness which helps individuals, like you, achieve their athletic and life goals. His practice, Vibrant Potential, is in Shakopee, MN. Contact Dr. Chris at 952-224-2909 or email DrChris@VibrantPotential.com to discover how to best leverage your training, racing, and to remain injury-free. Learn more at his website, www.vibrantpotential.com.