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Critical Commentary on Applied/Specialized Kinesiology; Applied Neurogenics

LETTER TO THE EDITOR of the ASHLAND DAILY TIDINGS, ASHLAND, OR

November 24, 2003

TIDINGS SHOULD INVESTIGATE HEALTH CLAIMS

by Lorie Anderson

I take issue with the Nov. 14 Tidings article "Home for the Healing," announcing a healing touch practice located in Ashland that uses a type of "Applied Kinesiology" to diagnose and cure even serious illness, like diabetes and kidney failure - conveying extensive scientific validation for the practice!

Applied Kinesiology (AK) uses dubious "muscle testing" to diagnose "energy imbalance," which purportedly causes allergies, illness, etc. The typical AK arm muscle test entails the patient tasting a substance while the therapist attempts to push the patient's outstretched arm down, against the patient's attempt to resist. AK asserts that if the arm drops, the muscles had weakened from negative energy created by the mere presence of the substance.

Demonstrate the unreliable nature of AK muscle testing for yourself: Ask someone to extend their arm and to fully resist your effort to push it down. Then, suddenly but subtly allow the person's arm to rise slightly before continuing the downward pressure. The arm easily succumbs.

"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence," Carl Sagan advised. Yet, an analysis of twenty favorable AK studies conducted from 1981-1987 found all were faulty - not one valid conclusion!

Although scientific-sounding, AK and its off-shoots, Specialized Kinesiology and Applied Neurogenics, are not associated with the scientific fields of kinesiology or neurogenics; rather, AK and its numerous off-shoots have more in concert with New Age or Eastern philosophies.

We speak of alternative medicine, but there is no alternative science. Tidings reporters should employ skepticism and investigate claims rather than report unsubstantiated curative powers. Or label such articles as advertisements.

Further information at: www.quackwatch.com.

Other commentaries by Lorie Anderson:

  • "The Vaccine War," produced by Frontline, PBS Broadcasting. [I was honored to be interviewed for this important documentary, as my community (Ashland, Oregon) has an alarmingly low vaccination rate: "It's an outbreak waiting to happen." My proverbial 15 minutes of fame consists of about 1 minute, in the first segment.]
  • Psychic/Indigo/Mystic Children
  • James Twyman's Beloved Community homeless children's shelter in Iraq
  • "EYES OPEN-WALLET SHUT," Letter of concern to Daily Tidings about Ilchi Lee, 12/8/04.
  • Bert Hellinger's "Movements of the Soul" Therapy
  • Pre-diabetes
  • Exploding Toastmaster Toaster Oven
  • "Methods to Block Racism," Letter to Editor, Ashland Daily Tidings, November 14, 2006.
  • "A Cheerleader's UNbelievable Flu Vaccine Reaction" - Applying Critical Analysis column. December, 2009.
  • "Transmit the Facts to Radiate Calm," - Applying Critical Analysis column. September, 2010.
  • "My Response about the Gardasil Vaccine for HPV," Applying Critical Analysis column. November, 2010.

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