Understanding Kinesiology in Australia
Updated: Oct 17
Life doesn't always give us clear answers. You might be experiencing stress or anxiety, dealing with ongoing physical discomfort, feeling emotionally overwhelmed, or simply sensing that something isn't quite right.
Kinesiology is a complementary approach to wellbeing that explores the connections between our physical, emotional and energetic systems. It uses gentle muscle monitoring alongside a range of techniques intended to support balance and wellbeing.
But what exactly happens during a Kinesiology session? How does muscle monitoring fit into the process? And what should you know about choosing a Kinesiologist in Australia?
In this article, we'll explore these questions and look at why people seek Kinesiology as part of their approach to wellbeing.
If you're considering an appointment, you can also explore Kinesiology at De-Stress and be HAPPY to learn more about my approach and what to expect when visiting my Brighton practice.
Understanding Kinesiology: How Does It Work?
Kinesiology is a complementary approach to wellbeing that explores the connections between our physical, emotional, mental and energetic systems.
One of the main tools used in specialised Kinesiology is gentle muscle monitoring.
I often explain this to clients as a way of checking in with the body to see how it's feeling about a particular situation.
During muscle monitoring, gentle pressure is applied to a muscle, often in the arm, while we explore a particular issue or situation.
Within the specialised Kinesiology approach, a muscle that holds strong is generally interpreted as indicating that the body is responding comfortably, without an apparent stress response to what we're exploring.
If the muscle doesn't hold against the gentle pressure, this is interpreted as a possible indication of stress or an energetic imbalance associated with that issue.
We can then explore the issue further, using techniques intended to support the body's energetic balance. These may include working with meridian pathways, acupressure points, gentle touch and other specialised Kinesiology techniques.
This process can also provide an opportunity to explore emotional patterns and experiences that may be influencing how someone feels, even when they aren't consciously aware of those connections.
Kinesiologists are not qualified to diagnose medical conditions.
Every session is individual, with the aim of supporting greater self-awareness, balance and wellbeing.
Why Do People Choose Kinesiology?
People explore Kinesiology for many different reasons. Some are experiencing stress or anxiety, others are dealing with emotional challenges, physical discomfort or a general sense that something isn't quite right.
Specialised Kinesiology considers the connections between our physical, emotional and energetic wellbeing, recognising that these areas can influence how we experience everyday life.
Stress, Anxiety and Emotional Wellbeing
Stress and anxiety are among the most common reasons people come to see me. Many clients report feeling calmer, more relaxed and less overwhelmed following their sessions, sometimes noticing a difference after their very first appointment.
Stress and anxiety don't always show up in the ways we expect. Sometimes they're reflected in our sleep, concentration, energy levels or physical tension.
If any of this sounds familiar, you might find my Stress, Anxiety & Overwhelm page helpful. It explores some of the different ways stress can affect everyday life.
Energy and Vitality
Some clients arrive feeling exhausted, depleted or simply out of balance. Within specialised Kinesiology, we may work with energetic patterns, meridian pathways and stress responses. Clients often describe feeling more energised or refreshed after a session.
Physical Tension and Discomfort
Physical discomfort can sometimes accompany emotional stress. Kinesiology sessions may include exploring stress patterns and energetic imbalances associated with areas of tension or discomfort, alongside appropriate medical care where needed.
Supporting the Immune System's Energy
Within specialised Kinesiology, I also work with the energetic systems associated with immune function. This involves exploring and balancing perceived energetic imbalances, rather than medically measuring or treating immune-system function.
Emotional Patterns and Self-Awareness
Sometimes people recognise that they repeatedly respond to certain situations in ways they don't fully understand. Kinesiology offers an opportunity to explore these experiences, emotional patterns and associated stress responses, supporting greater awareness of how they may be affecting everyday life.
Focus, Concentration and Mental Clarity
Stress, emotional overwhelm and mental fatigue can make it difficult to concentrate, organise thoughts or think clearly. Within specialised Kinesiology, we may explore stress patterns and energetic imbalances associated with these difficulties. Some clients report feeling clearer-headed, more focused and better able to concentrate following their sessions.
Everyone's experience is individual. Some clients notice changes quite quickly, while others find their understanding and sense of balance develop over several sessions.
Is Kinesiology Recognised in Australia?
Yes, Kinesiology is practised throughout Australia, although not all Kinesiologists have the same level of training or experience.
If you're thinking about trying Kinesiology, I'd encourage you to look at the practitioner's qualifications, experience and professional association membership. It's also important to find someone you feel comfortable with.
I've been a qualified Kinesiologist since 2005, having spent several years studying before completing my qualifications. I joined the Australian Kinesiology Association (AKA) in February 2005 and have been a member ever since.
I'm a Level 5 Specialised Kinesiologist, and I also hold qualifications in Counselling and Mental Health. These different areas of training and experience complement the way I work with clients.
If you'd like to know a little more about me, my background and how I came to do this work, you're very welcome to visit my About Kerry page.
The AKA is a professional association that supports education, professional standards and ethical practice within Kinesiology.
You can learn more about the association at www.aka.asn.au.
And if you're curious about what a Kinesiology appointment with me actually looks like, you can explore my Kinesiology page.
How to Find the Right Kinesiologist for You
If you've never had a Kinesiology session before, you might be wondering how to choose a practitioner.
My first suggestion is to do a little homework. Have a look at their qualifications, how long they've been practising and whether they belong to a professional association, such as the Australian Kinesiology Association (AKA).
It's also worth remembering that Kinesiologists don't all work in exactly the same way. Different practitioners may have studied different branches of Kinesiology, developed particular areas of interest or incorporated other complementary techniques into their sessions.
For example, my own training includes qualifications in three different branches of Kinesiology: Touch for Health, Neuro-Linguistic Kinesiology and Dynamic Kinesiology. Each has contributed to the knowledge and experience I bring to my work with clients.
But qualifications aren't the only consideration.
You also need to feel comfortable with the person you're seeing. After all, you may be talking about things that are personal, emotional or difficult to put into words.
Have a look at their website, read about their approach and see whether it feels like a good fit for you. If you're unsure about something, there's nothing wrong with asking questions before making an appointment.
And remember, you're always entitled to ask what a practitioner is doing during a session and why.
A good practitioner should explain what they're doing, respect your boundaries and make sure you're comfortable with the techniques being used.
If you're thinking about trying Kinesiology but still have a few questions, that's completely understandable.
I've put together a Kinesiology Questions & Answers page covering some of the things people commonly ask before their first appointment, including what to expect, whether Kinesiology may be suitable for them, and what happens if they're not quite sure where to begin.
Embracing Kinesiology in Your Life
Curious About Kinesiology? Where to From Here?
If you've made it this far, hopefully you now have a better understanding of what Kinesiology is and why people choose to explore it.
After working as a Kinesiologist for more than 20 years, one thing I've learned is that no two people are quite the same. We all bring our own experiences, challenges and expectations into a session, and that's part of what makes this work so interesting.
You don't need to have everything worked out before making an appointment. Sometimes people know exactly what they'd like to work on. Others simply know that something doesn't feel quite right, and they're not sure where to begin.
And that's okay.
If you're curious about Kinesiology, you can explore my Kinesiology page to learn more about how I work and what to expect during an appointment at my Brighton clinic.
If you've been experiencing stress, anxiety or feeling overwhelmed, my Stress, Anxiety & Overwhelm page is a good place to start. It explores some of the ways these experiences can affect us, helping you recognise and better understand what may be happening.
Sometimes it's difficult to explain exactly how you're feeling. Perhaps your mind won't switch off, you're struggling to concentrate, or everyday things seem to take more energy than they used to.
If any of that sounds familiar, you might enjoy exploring my Pathways to Happy page. It looks at some of these everyday experiences, helps put words to feelings that can be difficult to explain, and introduces Spoon Theory as a practical way of understanding our available energy.
There's no pressure to have all the answers. Sometimes the first step is simply understanding a little more about what's happening and what support is available.
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