Is Kinesiology Evidence-Based?

Here’s What Science (and Practice) Says 🤓

You’ve heard the word “kinesiology” floating around—maybe from a friend who swears by it, or that wellness practitioner on Instagram. But when you go to Google it, things get… a little confusing. Some pages talk about muscle testing and energy flow. Others mention movement science and sports performance. And if you’re a science-minded soul (like me), you might be wondering: Is there any actual evidence behind this stuff?

You’re not alone in asking that. It’s a question I love because it shows you’re thoughtful, curious, and willing to explore new things without just swallowing the woo. So, let’s unpack this—what kinesiology actually is, what the science says (and doesn’t say), and how I’ve come to practice it in a way that bridges both research and intuition.

No fluff. No preaching. Just honest answers from your friendly neighbourhood kinesiologist.

So... What Is Kinesiology, Exactly? 🤔

This is a question I get asked a lot — usually right after someone blurts out,
“Wait, is that the one with the colourful tape?”

Fair question. But no — I don’t use tape. That’s a different kind of kinesiology.

There are actually a few branches that fall under the kinesiology umbrella. In the more mainstream world, kinesiology usually refers to the study of human movement. You’ll find it in universities and clinics where it’s used to assess posture, injury recovery, sports performance — that sort of thing. It’s brilliant, backed by heaps of research, and super structured. But it’s not what I do.

The kinesiology I practise is sometimes called energetic kinesiology — a gentler, holistic style that grew from something called Applied Kinesiology (originally developed by a chiropractor in the 1960s). It uses a tool called muscle monitoring to tap into the body’s stress responses and uncover where things are a bit out of whack — emotionally, physically, energetically, or even spiritually.

It’s not about diagnosing. It’s about listening — and giving the body space to respond, reset, and rewire.

And I actually love both sides of the kinesiology coin. The structured, science-backed movement-based approach and the intuitive, body-led, energetic one.
I bring both into my sessions. Because real healing doesn’t always follow a straight line. Sometimes it’s in the science, and sometimes it’s in the stuff we don’t fully understand yet.

Where Science Meets Energetic Kinesiology 🧪✨

Okay, let’s talk evidence. Because if you’re science-minded, you might be wondering: Is there anything backing this up? Or is it all just placebo and positive vibes?

Fair question — and the answer is... a bit of both.

At the heart of kinesiology is a tool called muscle monitoring (sometimes called muscle testing). And here's where things get interesting — this tool is rooted in neuromuscular feedback, which is a real thing. When we apply gentle pressure to a muscle while the brain is processing different stimuli (like thoughts, memories, or even touching acupressure points), the muscle’s strength or “lock” can change. This response is involuntary — a reflex loop between the brain, spinal cord, and muscle. Kind of like that knee-jerk test at the doctor, just with a lot more nuance.

🧠 A 2007 review published in Chiropractic & Osteopathy looked at over 100 studies on manual muscle testing (MMT) and found that, when done correctly, it can be a reliable way to assess neuromuscular function — especially in clinical, structural settings. (Cuthbert & Goodheart, 2007)

But when it comes to more energetic or emotional interpretations of muscle responses — things like subconscious stress, emotional memory, or energy flow — the research is still catching up. Some studies say the results aren’t consistent enough. Others suggest that intention, practitioner skill, and even client belief may influence outcomes. (Which makes sense. We’re human.)

So, is it evidence-based? In parts, yes. In others, not yet. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t work — it just means we haven’t measured it all (yet).

Honestly, I’d love for the scientific community to study energetic kinesiology more — openly, curiously, and without trying to make it fit into a clinical box it wasn’t designed for.

What About the Stuff Science Hasn’t Caught Up To?

Here’s where we shift gears a bit.

While parts of kinesiology are measurable and backed by research, a big chunk of what happens in a session sits in the space between science and story — in the world of lived experience, nervous system responses, and subtle shifts that are hard to quantify but very real to the people feeling them.

⚡Clients often report feeling clearer, lighter, more grounded.
😮 Some say they’ve had physical symptoms ease after processing an emotional block.
💬 Others say “that’s weirdly spot on” when their body leads us to a memory they hadn’t thought about in years — one that turns out to be surprisingly relevant to what they’re going through now.

None of that’s been captured in a lab yet. But that doesn’t make it invalid.

Anecdotal ≠ useless.
It just means it’s not easily standardised. And that’s okay. Kinesiology doesn’t offer one-size-fits-all answers — because people aren’t one-size-fits-all. It’s not about proving anything to anyone. It’s about offering space for someone to reconnect with themselves and gently shift what no longer serves them.

To me, that’s valuable. And it’s worth exploring — even if we don’t have all the fancy data yet.

So… Is Kinesiology Right for You?

Maybe. Maybe not. That’s totally up to you.

I’m not here to convince you of anything or sell you magic. What I am here to do is offer a grounded, curious, heart-led approach to healing — one that blends both structure and softness, science and spirit.

I get the scepticism. Honestly? I think it’s healthy. There are practitioners out there selling snake oil. There are modalities that get hyped up without enough integrity behind them. So if you’ve got questions — good. That means you care about truth. Same here.

I’m not claiming kinesiology is the answer to everything. It’s not.
But I have seen it help people. I’ve seen kids who were overwhelmed feel more calm and connected. I’ve watched adults let go of stories that were quietly running their lives. And I’ve witnessed the body do things no textbook could have predicted — not because it’s magic, but because it was finally heard.

This work isn’t about being absolute or all-knowing. It’s about being open. If you’ve read this far — thank you. That openness is all it takes to start.

Still curious? If you’re wondering what this actually looks like in practice, click below to learn more — or if you’re feeling ready, you can even try a session for yourself.