The Muscle Test Handbook: Functional Assessment, Myofascial Trigger Points and Meridian Relationships

Classic manual muscle testing has been shown to be an invaluable clinical tool in evaluating muscle function and for the assessment of patient recovery from neuromuscular dysfunction. Advances in Professional Applied Kinesiology (PAK) have ‘fine tuned’ traditional understanding to bring muscle testing into another dimension. Many of the diagnostic bonds of the past have been broken, allowing for an unsurpassed range in functional diagnoses. An extremely sensitive tool, PAK muscle testing allows the clinician to evaluate a much wider array of complex systems (cranial nerve problems, joint receptor abnormalities, and acupuncture meridian imbalances) than can be made using the classic testing methods.

The English language edition of this highly successful handbook has been specially prepared for the international reader. The most up-to-date PAK tests are described as well as myofascial stretch testing and post-isometric relaxation techniques. The handbook carefully explains testing procedures for almost 100 individual muscles; many more than are found in other texts on the subject. In a unique, quick reference approach, the book not only reviews muscle anatomy and physiology, but also offers many clinical pearls with regard to possible causes of muscle dysfunction. Accompanied by a wealth of illustrations, the book is clearly written in a user-friendly ‘double page’ design that maximizes understanding.

• Clearly describes modern muscle test procedures
• The individual aspects of each muscle are easily compared by the use of well-illustrated templated descriptions
• A double-page spread design allows the reader a rapid, at-a-glance access to essential information
• Muscle anatomy and function are succinctly recapped in order to facilitate a complete understanding of the relevance and applicability of the individual test
• Classic Applied Kinesiology muscle tests for detecting functional abnormalities are well described along with stretch testing and post-isometric relaxation procedures for hypertonic, shortened muscles
• The importance of postural analysis for the assessment of specific muscle dysfunction is discussed and plainly described
• Illustrates painful spondylogenic reflex points (areas) for each muscle
• The role of distal acupuncture points and tendinomuscular meridians in maintaining normal muscle and muscle chain function are noted in accompanying diagrams
• The most commonly found trigger points, their referred pain patterns and relationship to nearby acupuncture points are clearly illustrated for each muscle
• Perfect for use in orthopaedics, neurology, general medicine, physiotherapy, chiropractic and osteopathy

Hans Garten MD is the founder of an interdisciplinary practice for complementary and orthopaedic medicine in Munich, Germany. His main focus is on myofascial and musculoskeletal system disorders, with special emphasis on metabolic influences on the latter.

Dr. Garten is a certified anaesthesiologist and holds a Medical Board Certificate of Chirotherapy, Acupuncture and Natural Healthcare. He holds diplomas from the International Board of Applied Kinesiology (DIBAK), the American Chiropractic Neurology Board (DACNB), the German-American Osteopathic Association (DAAO) and is a Fellow of the American College of Functional Neurology (FACFN).

Dr. Garten is the founder of the German Medical Association of Applied Kinesiology (DÄGAK) and has been in charge of the educational office of the German Medical Association of Acupuncture (DÄGfA). He has lectured on Applied Kinesiology and Functional Neurology in Europe, South America and the United States.

He has published three standard textbooks on Applied Kinesiology, all published by Elsevier, and a textbook on acupuncture, as well as over 30 original papers on these subjects and nine chapters in additional textbooks. Dr Garten’s current major project, a textbook on manual medicine and Applied Kinesiology, is about to be completed, which will also be published by Elsevier.