
Muscle Testing
In our clinic, we frequently hear from runners who feel as though they've "lost their spring," or from weightlifters and CrossFit enthusiasts who are struggling to lift as easily as they once did, but cannot pinpoint the cause. Often, this can be attributed to an afferent input (a pain signal before it reaches the sensory cortex of the brain), which limits muscular strength, making physical activities feel more challenging.
Muscle Testing is a method used to assess the integrity of the nervous system by evaluating muscle activation and identifying these "afferent inputs." By applying stress to a muscle, we can determine whether it is firing normally or if it is being inhibited by the nervous system. When muscles are inhibited, they are unable to function at their full capacity, resulting in decreased strength and stability, which in turn increases the likelihood of injury when the body is under load—whether lifting a heavy weight in the gym, absorbing the shock of running, or simply rising from a seated position.
Typically, these issues arise when performing an action you've done countless times before, yet this time something goes wrong. More often than not, the root cause is a joint somewhere in the body creating an afferent input to the nervous system.
By testing the affected muscle and examining various points on the body, we can locate the source of this afferent input, correct it, and then retest to ensure the issue is resolved and that the muscle is firing optimally.
This technique is widely used in high-performance sports. One of the most notable examples was the Milan Lab at AC Milan from 2002 to 2010, where athletes such as Maldini, Cafu, and Beckham were able to play at the highest level well into their 30s due to their reduced risk of injury.
Ross combines muscle testing with Gravitational Pattern Alignment (GPA) to provide a treatment approach that reduces pain, enhances function, and is fully testable, allowing you to see and feel the improvements.