Muscle Testing and Gait
Neck Flexors and Gaits: Attaining Chosen Goals
24/10/08 07:59
As an Applied Kinesiologist for many years, I've been noticing and considering the relationship between specific weak-testing muscles/systems and psychological conditions. I've noted generally that those with weak extensors have difficulty separating themselves from others/other things. The can't push people or things away. Those with predominantly weak-testing flexors have difficulty holding onto things. They have difficulty pulling something or someone in near to themselves.
Even more interesting: Those with weak-testing neck flexors have difficulty pushing their personal will through opposition. They are not so able to stand their own ground, defend their own position, and exert their own choice against/through the resistance of others or outer conditions. Neck flexors must be strong to "butt heads" - an important male dominance behavior - not only in the animal kingdom! Weak-testing neck flexors make someone a easy "pushover".
When the gaits are out, especially the front (anterior) gait, one has difficulty "stepping forward", out of current conditions toward desired conditions. A reminder: To test the front gaits, test anterior deltoid first. If weak, strengthen it. Then test the lower abdominals by raising a single straight leg (lying supine) and pushing it down. If weak, strengthen it. Then test one anterior deltoid and the opposite lower ab simultaneously. If the individual muscles test strong, but weak when tested together, the gait mechanism is "out". The AK technique for strengthening the gaits is massage of points around the ball of the foot. I recommend putting this weakness in circuit and doing a complete balance for it. The protocol of doing various cross crawl movements, rubbing the points, and again doing the cross crawl movements can be well given as homework for the client to do themselves.
A child with gait problems runs with discoordination and is often made fun of by the other kids. He or she may then decide that sports are not for him/her and concentrate exclusively upon mental studies. This can disturb their self-image and lower the quality of their whole life experience. Correcting the gaits can make a great improvement in the quality of life.
I had a 45 year old patient in the medical clinic where I worked in Basel, Switzerland. He was an extreme dyslexic with both mental difficulties and physical discoordination. He wore special pants because he often wet his pants uncontrollably. His wife made fun of him and his personal image was "am Arsch" (German for "on his butt" - really down). When he lifted an arm, all leg muscles on both sides tested weak. When he lifted a leg, all arm muscles tested weak on both sides. He always wanted to learn to swim, but the simultaneous coordination of arms and legs needed was beyond his capacity. With concentration, he was able to learn to do various cross crawl movements. He went to the swimming pool, did cross crawl, rubbed his feet and again did cross crawls. He then got in the water and learned to swim in one hour. He returned to me with a look of great pride in his eyes (like a child who says, "Look, Mommy, at what I can do!") and told me of his success. The best part, he said, was that he had control of his prior problem and could now correct it "with my own hands".
When someone has strong neck flexors but the gaits are out, they can defend their position and exert their personal will against resistance well, but may have difficulty making and following through on long-term plans/goals.
Balancing the neck flexors and gaits can have very long-reaching, generalizing effects upon their ability to set, move forward toward, and achieve goals... and thereby upon their image of themselves as a functional, successful human being.
--Dr. Robert Frost
Author of Applied Kinesiology