Northeast Healing with Terri Kaus
Specialized Kinesiology Workshops
Frequently Asked Specialized Kinesiology Questions
If you’ve been curious about Specialized Kinesiology but aren’t quite sure what it is, how it works, or how you might use it in your practice, you’re in the right place.
What is Specialized Kinesiology?
That’s a great question because many people have heard of muscle testing, but they don’t necessarily understand what Specialized Kinesiology really is.
To me, muscle testing is a communication tool. We’re not simply testing a muscle to see whether it’s strong or weak. We’re using the body’s response to help identify where there may be an imbalance and, importantly, what the body is ready to work with.
Specialized Kinesiology combines muscle testing with a variety of techniques, including meridian work, acupressure, reflex points, Neurolymphatic Massage, Neurovascular Holding Points, muscle balancing, emotional work, gait reflexes, and other balancing techniques.
Rather than simply focusing on the area where someone is experiencing discomfort, we’re asking, “What’s underneath this? What does the body need?”
That’s really where the beauty of Specialized Kinesiology is for me. It gives us another way of listening to the body instead of simply assuming that we already know what the body needs.
What can Specialized Kinesiology help me discover that I might not discover using the techniques I already use?
The work you already do with your clients is valuable. But sometimes what we’re feeling or observing in the body is only the tip of the iceberg.
I use an iceberg analogy when I teach because what we see above the waterline might be a symptom or an area of discomfort. Underneath the waterline, there can be many different factors that may be contributing to what we’re experiencing—things such as energetic imbalances, stress, nutritional challenges, emotional patterns, nervous system responses, or other factors affecting how the body is functioning.
Specialized Kinesiology gives us a way to explore some of those underlying patterns rather than simply chasing the symptom.
We’re asking the body, “Where would you like us to start?”
That can completely change the way you approach a session.
Do I have to be good at muscle testing before I can learn Specialized Kinesiology?
Absolutely not!
You don’t have to walk into my class already knowing how to muscle test. Muscle testing is a skill, and like any skill, it gets better with practice.
We’ll work on how to position yourself, how much pressure to use, how to communicate clearly with the client, and how to recognize what you’re feeling underneath your hands.
And I always tell my students: don’t worry about being perfect. You’re learning a new language.
At first, you’re thinking about every little thing you’re doing. With practice, it starts to become much more natural.
My goal is for you to leave feeling like, “Okay, I can actually do this.”
Who is Specialized Kinesiology for? Do I need any prerequisites?
There are no prerequisites for SK Master Series Level 1.
Specialized Kinesiology can be valuable for massage therapists and other practitioners who want to add another layer of assessment and balancing to the work they already do. It can also be learned by people who simply want to understand and use these techniques for themselves and the people they care about.
Previous experience with kinesiology can be helpful, but it is not required.
Can I use Specialized Kinesiology with the techniques I already use?
Yes! And honestly, this is one of the reasons I love teaching Specialized Kinesiology to practitioners from many different backgrounds.
I’m not asking you to throw away everything you’ve already learned. You’ve spent time developing your skills, your intuition, your understanding of the body, and your ability to work with your clients.
Specialized Kinesiology can become another tool in your toolbox.
You can use what you already know and add this additional layer of assessment and energetic balancing.
For me, it’s not either-or. It’s about expanding your ability to work with your clients.
You don’t have to become somebody different. You get to build on the practitioner you already are.
How do the meridians and Five Elements fit into Specialized Kinesiology?
The meridian system is an important part of the work that I teach.
The meridians come from Traditional Chinese Medicine, and I love the way they give us another map for understanding what’s happening energetically in the body.
We also work with the Five Elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each element has its own qualities and relationships within the body.
I don’t want my students to feel like they have to memorize a huge amount of information before they can use it. Instead, I want you to understand the relationships and learn how to use muscle testing to guide you.
That’s one of the things I love about kinesiology: you don’t have to guess. You learn how to ask the body questions and then use the information you’re getting to determine where to go next.
What happens during a Specialized Kinesiology session?
Every session is unique because every person is different.
A session may begin with a brief health history and a conversation about your goals. We may then use some simple techniques to enhance brain/body communication before beginning the muscle testing.
The client may be sitting, standing, lying down, or a combination of these positions, and the techniques are performed fully clothed.
We may work with a particular muscle, meridian, reflex point, energy pathway, or balancing technique depending on what the testing indicates.
The client is an active participant in the process. They’re not simply lying on the table while I decide what needs to happen. We’re using the body’s responses to help guide the session.
And that’s what makes it so fascinating.
You may start the session thinking you’re going to work on one thing, and the testing may take you in a completely different direction.
I find that part of the work incredibly rewarding because we’re learning to listen rather than assume.
How do I know which technique or correction to use when I find an imbalance?
That’s really where the muscle testing becomes so valuable.
One of the things I don’t want my students to learn is a long list of symptoms with a long list of techniques and then think, “If I see this symptom, I automatically do this.”
The body isn’t always that simple.
Two people can come in with what appears to be the same issue, and their bodies may need something completely different.
Rather than deciding ahead of time what the body needs, we use the testing to help guide us. We’re asking questions, narrowing things down, and finding out what the body responds to.
Then we apply the appropriate balancing technique.
That’s why I call it a conversation with the body. We’re not forcing the body into a particular protocol. We’re learning to listen and respond.
Is Specialized Kinesiology only about physical problems, or can stress and emotions show up in the testing?
Our bodies and our lives are not separate.
We all know what happens when we’re stressed. Our breathing changes. Our muscles change. Our sleep can change. Our digestion can change. We carry stress in our bodies.
So when we’re working with the body, we’re not working with a machine that’s disconnected from everything else.
Specialized Kinesiology gives us ways to explore some of those relationships.
That doesn’t mean we’re diagnosing emotional or medical conditions. That’s not what we’re doing. We’re recognizing that the whole person comes to the table.
Sometimes, as the body moves toward greater balance, people become aware of connections they hadn’t noticed before.
I think that’s one of the really beautiful aspects of this work.
What can a client expect to experience during or after a Specialized Kinesiology balance?
Everyone responds differently, so there isn’t one experience that applies to everyone.
Clients may describe feeling more balanced, relaxed, grounded, flexible, clear-headed, motivated, or peaceful after a session. Some people notice changes in physical comfort, posture, movement, or their ability to handle everyday stress.
The important thing is that we’re not trying to force a particular outcome.
We’re using the body’s responses to guide the session and then observing how the person responds to the balancing work.
How many Specialized Kinesiology sessions does someone need?
There is no set number of sessions because every person and every situation is different.
Some people may come for a specific concern and feel that one session was helpful. Others choose to come back periodically as they continue to explore different layers of what may be affecting them.
I often describe this as “peeling back the layers of the onion.”
Sometimes one layer becomes apparent, and once that has been addressed, something else becomes more noticeable.
There isn’t a predetermined number of sessions that everyone needs.
Can Specialized Kinesiology be combined with massage or other modalities?
Absolutely.
A Specialized Kinesiology balance can be used as a standalone session or incorporated into other approaches.
Many practitioners use their existing skills—such as massage, bodywork, acupuncture, chiropractic care, nutrition, fitness or health coaching—and add Specialized Kinesiology as another tool.
For me, the goal isn’t to replace what you already know. It’s to give you another way to assess and respond to what your client may need.
What is Reactive Muscle Testing?
Reactive Muscle Testing is one of the techniques taught in Specialized Kinesiology.
Sometimes a muscle that appears strong when tested by itself will temporarily lose strength when tested in relation to another muscle. This can indicate a reactive pattern that may be affecting normal muscle function and creating compensation patterns.
The first step is identifying the muscles involved. We then use specific techniques to help re-educate the nervous system and restore more appropriate communication between the muscles.
It’s a fascinating example of how the body can respond differently depending on what is happening around it.
What is Surrogate Muscle Testing?
Surrogate testing is used when a person cannot be muscle tested directly—for example, when someone is too young, too weak, or otherwise unable to participate in the testing.
A surrogate person can be tested while maintaining physical contact with the individual being tested.
Surrogate testing can also be used in some situations when working with animals or pets.
How can Specialized Kinesiology be used with children?
Specialized Kinesiology can be adapted for children, depending on their age and ability to participate in the testing.
Children may respond well to the gentle, interactive nature of the work. When a child is too young or otherwise unable to be muscle tested directly, surrogate testing may be used.
As with anyone receiving a balance, the goal is to listen to the body’s responses rather than assume what the child needs.
Is the live workshop different from taking an online course or watching videos?
Yes—and I love online learning too. I’ve created an online Specialized Kinesiology course myself, so I absolutely believe there is a place for it.
But there is something very different about being in the room together.
Kinesiology is a hands-on skill.
You can watch me demonstrate muscle testing on a video, but when you’re actually doing it yourself, you have questions:
“Am I standing correctly?”
“Am I using too much pressure?”
“What am I supposed to feel?”
“Did I get that response?”
That’s where having an instructor right there becomes incredibly valuable.
You get to practice, receive feedback, ask questions, work with other practitioners, and experience the techniques rather than simply hearing me talk about them.
That’s really what I want my workshops to be—a place where you can learn, practice, ask questions, make mistakes, and become more confident.
How long does it take before I feel confident using Specialized Kinesiology with my clients?
That’s going to be different for every person.
I would never tell you that you’re going to walk out of a three-day workshop and suddenly be an expert.
What I can tell you is that my goal is to give you a solid foundation that you can actually use.
We spend time practicing—not just sitting and listening to me talk. You’ll have an opportunity to feel the techniques, practice muscle testing, work with another person, and ask questions.
Kinesiology is very hands-on. You learn it by doing it.
You’re going to make mistakes, forget things, and have moments where you think, “Did I do that right?”
That’s normal.
Confidence comes from practice.
My hope is that when you leave the workshop, you have enough understanding and hands-on experience to go home and begin incorporating these techniques into your own practice.
Is the Specialized Kinesiology workshop similar to Touch for Health?
If you’ve taken Touch for Health in the past, that experience can give you a helpful foundation, but it is not required.
There are some important differences in how the SK Master Series approaches muscle testing and balancing.
One of the things students appreciate is that the course uses an indicator muscle rather than requiring you to learn 14 different muscles in order to perform a basic balance.
You’ll also learn a variety of techniques, including Neurolymphatic Points, Neurovascular Holding Points, meridians, acupressure points, gait reflexes, Tibetan Figure 8 energy pathways, and food and substance testing and desensitization techniques.
Does Terri practice Specialized Kinesiology as well as teach it?
Yes! I’ve been practicing bodywork and healing arts for many years, and I continue to work with clients as well as teach.
My background includes massage, myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, Brain Gym, Touch for Health, Specialized Kinesiology, and other approaches.
I love teaching from actual experience and sharing what I’ve learned through years of working with people.
How can I explain Specialized Kinesiology to my clients?
That’s actually an important part of learning this work.
One of the challenges practitioners often have is finding simple, understandable words to explain muscle testing and Specialized Kinesiology to someone who has never experienced it.
In my workshops, I teach you ways to talk about the work with your clients without overwhelming them with terminology.
I often describe Specialized Kinesiology as a way of using muscle testing as a form of communication with the body.
You don’t have to explain everything about kinesiology before someone can experience it.
Sometimes the best explanation is simply to let someone experience the process for themselves.
Do you offer a discount for past students?
Yes. If you’ve previously taken an online SK Master Series course or attended one of my live workshops, please contact me about the current repeat-student discount.
Can I receive continuing education credits for Specialized Kinesiology?
Yes. My Specialized Kinesiology Master Series Level 1 courses offer continuing education through NCBTMB.
The online workshop offers 10 CE hours, and the live three-day workshop offers 21 CE hours through NCBTMB.
Because licensing requirements can vary by profession and state, I always recommend checking with your licensing board if you are unsure whether a particular course will meet your continuing education requirements.
Can I renew my access to the online course after it expires?
Yes. Online course access is available for 1 year. If your access expires and you would like to continue accessing the course, contact me for current renewal options.
What is your cancellation policy for live workshops?
A deposit is required to reserve your place in a live workshop.
Because policies can vary depending on the specific workshop, please check the registration information for the workshop you’re interested in for the current deposit, refund, and transfer policies.
Where can I find information about upcoming workshops?
You can find current workshop dates, locations, tuition, CE information, and registration details on my Workshop Schedule page. If you are interested in hosting a workshop, please reach out to me.
If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m happy to help you decide whether Specialized Kinesiology is a good fit for you.
Have questions? Reach out!
Terri Kaus
Northeast Healing Arts
(612) 310-4281
teresa@northeasthealing.com