Over 25 years ago at a 'breakthrough' medical conference, I watched a Detroit chiropractor demonstrate one of the most useful tools I've ever come across. His name was George Goodheart, and he was showing us how to tap into the energy (Vital Force, Chi) within us. He showed us how we could determine what was good and what was bad to put into our bodies. With very little practice, you can do what he taught us. You'll need a friend to act as your student. There is no risk and nothing will hurt.

YOU MUST TRY THIS YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT

With your "student" standing facing you (do this away from fluorescent lighting), have your subject raise the left arm out to the side, shoulder height, palm down. Be sure the hand is open, that is, not closed in a fist. The right hand, hanging down limp at the side, should be open, also.

Tell your student you are going to push down on his/her left arm, and when you do, they are to resist by pushing back up against your hand, that is, resisting your pressure.

As you face your student whose left arm is raised, place your left hand on his/her right shoulder to steady him; put your right hand on top of his left hand or wrist. Tell him to "Resist" and push down, while he pushes back against your hand.

Do not try to overpower your student. This is not about "macho" or who is stronger. You are simply trying to establish how much strength they have in their arm to resist your downward pressure. However much they are able to resist your downward pressure is "normal" for them. This is known as "TESTING IN THE CLEAR"

SO WHAT'S GOOD AND WHAT'S BAD?

First, 'Test in the Clear' as above to establish the relative strength. Then, have your student hold a packet of sugar or Sweet & Low in their right hand and repeat the test. This time, they will be able to offer much less resistance as you try to push their arm down! They will go weak! You will feel they are no longer able to resist as strongly as before. And they can easily feel the weakness inside themselves.

Take away the sugar and repeat the test. They will be strong again. Next, have them hold a cigarette, piece of candy, a breath mint, or piece of gum in their right hand while you try to push down on the left arm. They will be weak!

ANY SUBSTANCE YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH CAN BE TESTED THIS WAY. ANYTHING THAT WEAKENS YOU IS NOT GOOD AND SHOULD BE LIMITED OR AVOIDED ENTIRELY. ANYTHING MAKING YOU WEAKER IS ROBBING YOU OF ENERGY.

NO MASKED MAGICIAN WANTED

This is not a trick. The technique is well established in scientific circles. It is known as Kinesiologic Muscle Testing, and it is one of the most dependable methods used by practitioners of natural therapy to help determine what things can strengthen your body and your all-important defense and repair capabilities. It can also discover things that will weaken your defenses and reduce your repair and healing capabilities.

NOT SEEKING SUPERMAN

Remember, this is not a test of your ability to be stronger than the person you are testing. It is a nifty way to determine what things can interfere with the Life Force, the vital energy, within us. And what things can improve, strengthen, restore, and invigorate us.

It is important to use a little common sense- a 95 pound woman will not be able to overcome a 275 pound football player no matter how hard she tries to push his arm down, just as she will not have the strength to prevent him from pushing her arm down no matter how hard she tries to resist, especially if he really uses all his strength.

So use the appropriate amount of force or resistance depending on your size, and whether you are the "tester" or the "testee".

NOW YOU CAN TEST YOUR MERCURY FILLINGS

Many readers of these articles want to know if their silver/mercury fillings are harmful to them. You can easily adapt the versatile Muscle Testing procedure to determine for yourself if a filling should be replaced. Here's how:

Have a friend do the muscle testing on you. Have him/her test you "in the clear" just to get an idea of your relative strength. Then, with one of the fingers of your right hand, touch a tooth that has NO filling in it. While you continue to hold your finger on that tooth, have your friend test again for relative strength. You should stay "strong".

Now, touch a tooth that has a silver/mercury filling. While you continue to hold your finger on that tooth, have your friend test again. If you stay strong, that tooth is O.K. If you feel yourself going weak, chances are that tooth is robbing you of vital energy.

SO WHAT IF YOU HAVE TEETH THAT TEST WEAK?

Landmark studies in Europe showed that individual teeth are related to specific body organs by means of the acupuncture meridians. So suppose you test a tooth with a mercury filling and feel yourself get weaker. And let's say the tooth is one of your lower back teeth. Those teeth are usually associated with either the Stomach or Small Intestine Meridian. So if you have digestive problems, that tooth (or the silver/mercury filling) may be part of the cause.

So what? You can continue to take Pepto Bismol or digestive enzymes from now 'til the cows come home', but you will never be totally free of your problem until you do something about that tooth! Remember, in Alternative Medicine, we don't treat the symptoms, we eliminate the causes.

HOW YOU CAN TEST FOR ALLERGIES AND FOOD SENSITIVITIES

Muscle Testing is a great way to discover allergies and sensitivities. Here's how to use it to test for food sensitivity:

Test "in the clear". Now, hold a piece of cheese (or any food you want to test) in your hand. You don't have to unwrap cardboard or cellophane packages, but you cannot test something inside a metal can or container. While you are holding the food, have a friend muscle test you.

If you stay strong, it's O.K. for you to eat whatever you are testing. If you go weak, however, you have discovered a source of a food allergy or sensitivity. You should avoid or limit eating that food.

For parents of allergic or sensitive children, this is a painless "game" you can play with them to gain valuable insights into solving their problems. Remember- use an amount of pressure your child can actually "resist". If you overpower them, you won't gain any information at all.

LET YOUR IMAGINATION SOAR

As you can see, Muscle Testing is an enormously effective tool that can be used in many different situations. You can use it to discover cosmetics which will give you an allergic reaction. I often use Muscle Testing to help establish which vitamins and minerals my patients should be taking. Not only which ones- but how much of each! You are limited only by your inventiveness.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NOW?

Have dental concerns? Want a Second Opinion? To dialog with someone with a broad background in alternative therapy? Someone who already knows what you're talking about and can answer your questions?

If using non-invasive techniques such as Muscle Testing, and relying more on herbs and homeopathy than drugs and surgery appeals to you, you've found a home! Don't be bashful. No need to feel embarrassed or ashamed. I want to help you, and "if it ain't broke, I won't fix it". Please call our office for an appointment now. I'd love to be your dentist!