The term "Kinesiology" has been used over the years to describe the study of body movement. In the Manual of Structural Kinesiology it is defined as - "the study of muscles as they are involved in the science of movement". Through the observation and research by George Goodheart DC, the term "Applied Kinesiology" came into being in the 1960's. 

Muscle monitoring, as used in Kinesiology today, is the art of
placing specific muscles in a position where the integrity, not the
strength, of that muscle can be monitored by asserting a certain amount
of pressure upon the limb. Dr Goodheart found that muscles which could
not "lock", i.e. maintain its position against slight pressure, could
be "tonified", i.e. locked, by stimulating certain points on the body.
Through much research and observation a comprehensive system of muscle
monitoring and muscle corrections was put together. These correction
procedures included an origin and insertion technique, Chapman's
Neurolymphatic Reflex points, Bennett's Neurovascular Reflex points and
Spinal Reflex technique. After further study it was also found that
meridian stimulation could also tonify a previously "weak" muscle.
Goodheart collated all this exciting information together in a form
which is now universally accepted as "Kinesiology". "Kinesiology" has
been officially recognised by the British Parliament and defined as:-

"Kinesiology, literally the study of body movement, encompasses
holistic health disciplines which use gentle manual muscle testing to
monitor information about a person's well-being. It originated in the
1960's combining Western techniques with Eastern wisdom to promote
physical, emotional and spiritual health. Kinesiology identifies
factors which block the body's natural healing process. These
dysfunction's are rectified by attention to reflex and acupressure
points, the use of specific body movements and nutritional support.
Kinesiology can relieve pain, stress, muscular and nervous disorders;
detect allergies and nutritional deficiencies; assist with
psychological and learning problems, stimulate energies and release
untapped potential."

In the Applied Kinesiology Synopsis, by David S.Walther, it states that:

"Kinesiology provides an ability to deal with the integration of function within the body."

Through the combination of neurolymphatics, neurovasculars, origin
& insertion, meridians, acupoints, 5 element emotions, stress
release, spinal reflexes and biochemical support, Kinesiology offers a
truly holistic approach in health care. For example: A client presents
with a stomach problem, through muscle monitoring it is observed that
Pectoralis Major Clavicular is unlocking, through stimulation of
neurolymphatic reflex points and specific acupoints, the muscle now
locks. This in itself will assist the body in clearing out blocks in
the neuro/muscular/organ matrix associated with the problem. To look
further into the situation, we could then look at the meridian emotion
association, i.e. the element which "Stomach" is related to. By
referring to the Ancient Chinese philosophies of the five element
emotions we find that the relevant one to this particular client and
their situation is "empathy". Perhaps a lack of empathy for oneself or
for others, over a period of time, in one way or another has led to the
condition?

It is now a common knowledge that emotional stress can lead to physical
stress. It is also true that physical discomfort can lead to emotional
dis-ease. The beauty of Kinesiology is that all the contributing
stressors that have played a role in establishing the presenting
condition are considered.

Pain is usually over energy. If there is "too much" energy somewhere in
the body, then there must be "too little" somewhere else. Kinesiology
identifies where the blocks are and assists the body in clearing them.
For example: - A painful upper trapezius is often due to there being
too much energy there, and so the muscle cannot "switch off" and it
remains in an over-facilitated and very "tight" state. By identifying
where the "under energy" is, the problem can be alleviated by
stimulating this system to enable the blocked energy to flow freely,
rather like unblocking a clogged drainpipe.

One of the great strengths of Kinesiology is its ability to affect the
tone of individual muscles and of muscle groups. Muscles that are over
stimulated can be sedated and muscles that are under stimulated (weak)
can be tonified (strengthened). This is achieved by observing the
neurological relationship between over and under-facilitated muscles
and addressing these patterns using the ancient Chinese laws of
meridian energy flow and other Kinesiology techniques.

What is Sports Kinesiology?

Sports Kinesiology is a culmination of the most advanced philosophies,
techniques and procedures from Orthopaedic Medical Science and Holistic
Kinesiology, incorporating sports medicine, sports science, performance
training, recovery & rehabilitation, nutrition and nutritional
biochemistry, psychology and the energetic sciences.