Muscle Testing & Functional Evaluation Flashcards
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Read the first 7 Muscle Testing & Functional Evaluation flashcards as text
In applied kinesiology, a 'therapy localization' test involves the patient touching an area while the practitioner:
Answer: Re-tests a previously weak indicator muscle
Therapy localization uses a previously weak indicator muscle to determine if touching a specific area changes the muscle's response, indicating a related dysfunction.
Which of the following best describes 'switching' in AK muscle testing?
Answer: A neurological disorganization causing aberrant muscle test results
Switching refers to a state of neurological disorganization where the body's normal response patterns are reversed or inconsistent during muscle testing.
The 'frozen' or 'locked' muscle response in AK testing, where a strong muscle cannot be inhibited by challenge, is most associated with:
Answer: Hypertonic facilitated state requiring inhibitory techniques
A muscle that remains strong despite challenge may be in a hypertonic facilitated state, which in AK can indicate overactivity or compensatory patterns requiring inhibitory treatment.
In AK, the piriformis muscle is primarily tested with the patient prone and the knee flexed to 90°. The testing force is applied:
Answer: Laterally rotating the leg (pushing foot inward)
With the knee at 90° and patient prone, the piriformis is tested by applying force to rotate the leg medially (push the foot inward), which externally rotates the hip against resistance.
Reactive muscle patterns in AK refer to:
Answer: A relationship where one muscle inhibits another after stress or activity
Reactive muscles are pairs where the activation or stress of one muscle causes inhibition of another, often identified by finding a weak muscle that normalizes when the reactive muscle is inhibited.
When performing a muscle test for the middle trapezius in AK, the patient's arm is positioned:
Answer: Horizontally abducted at 90° with the elbow extended
The middle trapezius is tested with the arm horizontally abducted at 90° (shoulder at 90°, elbow extended) and the shoulder externally rotated, isolating scapular retraction.
In AK functional evaluation, the term 'bilateral challenge' is used to:
Answer: Apply opposing forces to both sides of a joint to identify fixations
Bilateral challenge applies opposing forces simultaneously to both sides of a joint or structure to identify fixations or lesions that affect spinal or cranial mechanics.