The fields of medicine and alternative health care are both very important for the well being of people across the nation. Over the years, one of the many holistic practices that have arisen is kinesiology. Kinesiology refers to the chiropractic diagnostic method that focuses on the functioning of muscles both in the diagnostic and treatment stages. Created by a chiropractor named George J. Goodheart in 1964, kinesiology has been confused with kinesiology (which is the scientific study of how a body moves and how one can best enhance these functions based upon the environment and various other conditions) and has also been criticized for being a pseudoscience with little empirical data supporting its effectiveness.

The basic concept behind kinesiology is that the practitioner uses muscle-strength testing to pinpoint which of the patient's muscles is unbalanced. Once the practitioner has made this assessment, they may prescribe any in a range of treatments, including: cranial techniques, joint manipulation, cranial techniques, and a change in diet. Applied kinesiology may be used by anyone from dentists, physical therapists, and massage therapists, to medical doctors, naturopaths, and nurse practitioners.

Choosing a Kinesiology School / Program
If you want to explore this holistic health career, your best route is to find a kinesiology college program. Kinesiology college programs are where practitioners gain the skills and the knowledge to capably perform their duties. While an applied kinesiology college program primarily refers to courses that deal with muscle-strength testing and diagnosis, it may also referred to as dental kinesiology, behavioral kinesiology, or contaxt reflex analysis, depending upon the concentration of the course.

Though no national accrediting agency exists to scrutinize and approve kinesiology college programs, there are other ways you can make sure that the school or programs you're applying to is the right one. First, do all the research that you can. The Internet can be a great asset in this case; search for the school's website and anything anyone might have to say about it. You might even want to pose questions on message boards dedicated to kinesiology to see what others are saying about a particular kinesiology college program. The people you meet in real life can also help you find the right program. If you know someone who practices applied kinesiology, don't be afraid to ask them where they got their education or if they know of a great and reputable applied kinesiology college program.

According to the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, as of 2003, approximately 37.6 percent of all practicing chiropractors have integrated kinesiology into their treatment of patients. To contrast with this figure, only about 12.9 percent of all chiropractic patients have been treated with applied kinesiology.