Applied Kinesiology & Cold Laser Therapy: Your Body’s Hidden Healing Tools

This article is written by Dr. Greg Shiu, Chiropractor & Kinesiologist, who specialises in uncovering the root causes of health concerns through Applied Kinesiology, chiropractic care, and complementary therapies.

We all want to feel our best. But sometimes aches, pains, or fatigue linger without a clear reason, and standard tests may not tell the whole story. That is where complementary approaches like Applied Kinesiology (AK) and Cold Laser Therapy (Low-Level Light Therapy, or LLLT) come in.

Both are gentle, non-invasive ways of uncovering imbalances and encouraging your body to heal itself. Here is how they work, and why they might just help you feel stronger, calmer, and more energised.

What Is Applied Kinesiology?

Your muscles have more to say than you think.

Applied Kinesiology is like a conversation with your body. Through gentle muscle testing, practitioners can pick up on areas of weakness that point to deeper imbalances. Instead of focusing only on symptoms, AK looks at the bigger picture: how your body, nutrition, and emotions all work together.

This is explained through the “Triad of Health”:

• Structural: your muscles, joints, and posture

• Chemical: your nutrition and internal balance

• Mental/Emotional: your stress levels and overall emotional wellbeing

If one side of this triangle falters, the others are pulled off balance too. For example, stress can alter your chemistry, and poor nutrition can affect your mood.

How It Works in Practice

Finding the “why” behind weakness.

An AK practitioner will start by testing a muscle. If it feels weak, the next step is to discover why. That root cause could be structural, chemical, or emotional. Once identified, the practitioner can apply the most suitable therapy.

These therapies may include:

• Gentle joint mobilisation

• Myofascial and cranial techniques

• Reflex or meridian therapies

• Nutritional guidance and supplements

• Identifying food or environmental sensitivities

Sometimes, a strong muscle is used to test for sensitivities, revealing which foods or environmental triggers disrupt the body’s balance.

Does AK Replace Standard Exams?

The answer is no - it works with them.

Applied Kinesiology does not replace blood tests, scans, or a doctor’s exam. Instead, it complements them by offering another layer of insight.

For instance, someone with hypoglycaemia may show specific muscle weakness patterns. But the same patterns could also result from a nervous system issue. When combined with traditional diagnostics, AK can help point practitioners towards the most effective treatment more quickly and sometimes more cost-effectively.

Everyday Health Insights

Small clues that your body gives you every day.

AK also helps reveal everyday imbalances that may not yet feel like “big” health problems. For example, when the adrenal glands are struggling, you may notice:

• Lower back pain

• Plantar fasciitis or sore feet in the morning

• Morning stiffness or achiness

• Dizziness when standing up

• Sensitivity to bright lights

• Frequent urination

Food sensitivities can appear as:

• Eczema or rashes along meridians

• Bloating and digestive issues, often linked to candida

By spotting these early signs and restoring proper muscle function, you can prevent joint compression, ease chronic pain, and reduce the need for specialist visits.

As many practitioners say, the aim is simple: to help people age gracefully, stay active, and enjoy life with fewer setbacks.

Cold Laser Therapy (Low-Level Light Therapy)

Healing with the power of light.

Cold Laser Therapy, also known as Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT), might sound futuristic, but it is wonderfully straightforward. It uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate healing inside the body.

The treatment is painless, non-invasive, and entirely safe. You simply relax while the light does the work beneath the surface.

How LLLT Supports Muscle Recovery

Helping you bounce back faster.

Research shows that Cold Laser Therapy can:

• Reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in muscle tissue

• Improve circulation and oxygen delivery

• Boost mitochondrial energy (ATP) production

• Help nerves and muscles “talk” properly again

• Reduce pain sensitivity

Because of these benefits, LLLT is often used for:

• Recovery after exercise or injury

• Healing soft tissue injuries

• Reducing discomfort from arthritis or chronic inflammation

It works by calming inflammation, improving blood flow, and speeding up the natural repair process. The result is less downtime and more freedom to move comfortably.

The Bottom Line

Two different tools, one shared goal.

Applied Kinesiology and Cold Laser Therapy may seem worlds apart, but they share one purpose: helping your body find balance and heal more effectively.

Applied Kinesiology shines a light on hidden imbalances through muscle testing. Cold Laser Therapy supports healing by reducing inflammation and boosting cellular repair. Together, they can complement standard medical care and support a healthier, more active lifestyle.

Neither is about a quick fix. Instead, they are about equipping your body with the tools it needs to thrive — so you can move, recover, and live with greater ease.

Dr. Greg Shiu will be at Ayurma as a Visiting Master from 14th November – 14th December 2025. Find out more on our visiting masters page.