Muscle Testing 101

My patients love the results they get in my office but sometimes it's hard to explain to others the 'arm pushing thing' that I do, also known as muscle testing or Applied Kinesiology. So I thought it would be good to blog about muscle testing.



Applied Kinesiology began with Dr. George Goodheart in the 1960s when he made the first correlation between finding a weak muscle using muscle testing and then employing chiropractic therapy to make it stronger. He then looked beyond the chiropractic profession to the fields of biomedicine, osteopathy, acupuncture, dentistry, and nutrition putting it all together in a method called Applied Kinesiology. I am certified in Applied Kinesiology and use it in my chiropractic work.

Dr. Freddie Ulan took the muscle testing from Applied Kinesiology and applied it more extensively to the nutrition of the body and developed a technique called Nutrition Response Testing.. Dr. Ulan introduced me to Nutrition Response Testing when I was 16 years old and stopped my suffering from childhood asthma. I haven't used my inhaler since. Being inspired by how it changed my life I knew this is what I wanted to do for a living.

In explaining muscle testing to my patients I say that I can use any muscle in the body, it's just easier to use an arm. As I push on the arm with light pressure, the patient is to resist by matching my pressure.

With my other hand I then apply pressure to all the other organs. What happens when I put pressure, let's say, on the stomach, and if there is a problem there, the stomach won't like the pressure. It sends a signal to the brain to protect the area that if I push on the arm AND on the stomach at the same time the arm goes weak (meaning the patient can no longer resist the pressure I am applying) because the body doesn't care about the arm, it wants to protect the stomach. That let's me know what organs go weak and what organs go strong in the body and I can suggest nutritional support accordingly.

When organs go weak it doesn't mean they are diseased but rather they aren't functioning 100%. This is functional medicine, helping the body before it get's to the diseased state. If I am concerned that an organ is diseased I would refer them to the appropriate healthcare provider. The nutrition provided by Nutrition Response Testing is beneficial to work in conjunction with other healthcare providers because the majority of what I use for nutrition supplements comes from an organic farm in Wisconsin called Standard Process. These supplements are whole food supplements. The body knows how to heal with food.

The body is amazing at knowing what it needs. Muscle testing is a tool to communicate with the body and determine what it needs to rebuild and restore health. In this way Nutrition Response Testing is a way to design a personal nutrition program specifically for you and your health.

Welcome to the Team!

I've been in practice for over 9 years and I'm so excited to see the growth of the office. Lea Parayno has been a wonderful addition 3 years ago and with her hard work and dedication the office has now grown so that I can add on two new staff members. Raquel Reis has been under my wing learning Nutrition Response Testing since last September. As my associate she not only loves the work but is getting great results with her patients!

Kenna Tuski has been a newer addition, helping me at the front desk on Saturdays and now helping the office during the weekdays as the Patient Advocate. Patient education goes a long way and she is here to help patients with dietary changes, recipe ideas, teaching about oil pulling, liver flushes, etc.

Here are their bios, for I wanted you to know a little more about them.

Raquel Reis


After shrinking fibroids, avoiding complicated surgery and clearing a myriad of health issues with Nutrition Response Testing – Raquel Reis turned to studying and practicing NRT. She tailors a customized nutritional program for each patient based on their test results, findings, and their body’s needs and personal lifestyle. Her patients experience rapid and life-changing results.

Reis is also a health and wellness coach, certified yoga instructor and passionate cook. She specializes in treating chronic inflammation, supporting digestive health, facilitating weight loss and healthy detoxification. She runs group workshops, in addition to working privately with clients, giving them a hands-on approach to how health (and life) can be easy and delicious.

Kenna Tuski



Kenna Tuski is originally from Olivet, Michigan. She attended Interlochen Arts Academy through high school and then graduated from SUNY Purchase with a BFA in Dance in 2013. She has resided in New York CIty for two years as a professional dancer and performer. She currently performs in Punch Drunk's Sleep No More. Kenna is pilates certified. Kenna is using her knowledge of dance, pilates, yoga, and exercise to create a chakra energy class. She began working for Dr. Armitstead in March 2015 after being a patient for two years and is thrilled to be focusing on a new found passion. She is currently enrolled in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to further her nutrition studies as Dr. Armitstead’s Patient Advocate.

DIY Rose Water

I love roses not only for their beauty or their fragrance, but for their medicine. That’s right, the seemingly delicate rose is one of the most powerful herbs especially when it comes to the skin as some of you already know from my recommendation of using rose water spray.

Rose water is a great gentle toner for the skin. It can also be applied as a makeup remover or spray wherever there is dry skin. Apply around the eyes to help sooth and prevent or reduce eye puffiness. A swipe of rose vinegar can pull heat from sunburn; a smear of rose jam can bring a sense of well-being to anyone who eats it. Rose infused honey is a joy to add to teas and gluten-free pastries.

Rose is unique in that it’s great at what it does, no matter the application.

Used for thousands of years as a youthful skin tonic, rose water boasts some amazing benefits.

Rose water is good for:

• Tightening pores
• Smoothing fine lines and wrinkles
• Balancing the skin’s PH
• Slowing the aging process
• Freshens the complexion
• Calming the senses

It is very important to make sure you source high quality roses. I strictly get my dried rose petals from Mountainroseherbs.com as their quality is second to none. The fragrance is strong and the color pay off in beauty recipes is often a rich ruby hue. Their roses are not treated with chemicals and are harvested at just the right time for the highest potency.

Fresh petals are of course a delight when you can find them; just make sure they are not sprayed with pesticides. Harvest the fresh roses in the morning when they are most fragrant and make rose water as soon as you can for best results. I particularly love wild roses when I’m lucky enough to come across them or that one time a year when they grow in my garden.

Making rose water is super simple. It only takes minutes to make a beautiful tonic for the skin that can be used as much as you desire.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• Distilled water
• Dried red rose petals
• A funnel
• A glass bowl
• A nut milk bag
• A spray bottle

Loving Preparation- How to Make Rose Water:

• In a small clean pot, bring the distilled water to a boil (I measured a little more water than would fit in my 4oz glass spray bottle)
• Next, add in a handful of dried rose petals (you can use fresh but make sure they are fragrant and not sprayed with chemicals)
• Cover the pot and gently simmer the rose petals until they lose their color
• Turn off the heat and let the rose water cool completely
• Once cool, strain the rose water in the nut milk bag in the glass bowl
• Pour the strained rose water into a spritzer bottle. A glass bottle is best.
• Use daily and often! Will keep for 7 days at room temperature or up to a month in the fridge.

Opening Up Chakras With Essential Oils!

Karuna did a wonderful chakra meditation using aromatherapy this last Thursday at the office. For those of you who missed it I wanted to share with you what oils she used for the chakras.

Root Chakra - Balance
Earthy tones of Spruce needle/leaf, Ho wood, Frankincense, Blue Tansy Flower and Blue Chamomile Flower essential oils applied to the bottom of our feet helped us feel grounded.

Sacral Chakra - Digestzen
DigestZen® is a proprietary blend of pure essential oils. Ginger, peppermint, tarragon, fennel, caraway, coriander and anise each have specific attributes which help restore normal balance in the digestive system and sacral chakra.

Solar Plexus - Lemon
One drop rubbed right into the stomach is very soothing.



Heart - Serenity
A relaxing blend composed of Lavender, sweet marjoram, roman chamomile, ylang ylang, sandalwood and vanilla bean.

Throat - Deep Blue
A blend of wintergreen, camphor, peppermint, blue tansy, blue chamomile, helichrysum and osmanthus work together to ease achy joints and sore muscles. We rubbed it on the neck and shoulders for muscle tension relief.

Third Eye - Lavender
Massaged right into the Third eye and it smelled soooo good!

Crown - Frankincense
Perhaps the most precious of the ancient oils, frankincense is highly sought after by modern consumers for its many uses, including relaxation, immune support, and mood enhancement.

If you are interested in the oils or have more questions feel free to visit www.mydoterra.com/healingartsnyc.com
or contact me directly

Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizers are a convenient way to clean your hands when soap and water are not available. However, they contain up to 90% isopropyl alcohol which is made from gas (petroleum) or about 60% ethyl alcohol. That is also known as ethanol. It is also the same stuff in wine, beer and Jack Daniels. That's right: A little 2-ounce bottle = 4 shots of vodka. (http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/blogs/paging.dr.gupta/2007/06/hand-sanitizer-on-rocks-please.html) Crazy! The alcohol in hand sanitizers can also be a fire hazard, cause severe skin and eye irritation, and be extremely drying to the skin. Any of you who I have helped detox petroleum solvent alcohol already know this. Instead of avoiding hand sanitizer you can now make your own! It's simple and will not only cleanse your hands, but moisturize them too.



What you need:

5 tablespoons aloe vera gel

4 tablespoons water

1/4 teaspoon vitamin E oil

8-10 drops Dottera On Guard Essential Oil

Small Container

Note: Essential oils can be stored in plastic containers if the essential oils are highly diluted. Make sure they are high quality if you do use plastic containers. I use a glass dropper container which is a little heavier but I prefer glass.

Directions:

1. In a bowl combine aloe vera gel and vitamin E oil.

2. Add 8-10 drops of On Guard Protective Blend to the aloe vera mixture.

3. Add water and mix well to combine. Add more or less water depending on the consistency you want.

4. Pour into container and you’re done! Put your homemade hand cleanser in your bag, car, or office for an effective, alcohol-free hand cleanser.

The Fluoride Deception

“WARNING: Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional help or contact a poison control center immediately.”

This is the warning on all fluoride toothpastes sold in the United States. The FDA warning is necessary because relatively small doses of fluoride can induce symptoms of acute fluoride toxicity (i.e., poisoning). Early symptoms of fluoride poisoning include gastrointestinal pain, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Yet fluoride is in our water, purposely put there.

Water fluoridation began in 1945. And even though the FDA has admitted to fluoride toxicity the United States adds fluoride to more than two-thirds of the municipal water supplies reaching nearly 211 million Americans.

As of 2012, more than 67 percent of Americans receive fluoridated water. Of those, more than 11 million people receive fluoride at or above what has been deemed the “optimal” level, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Most likely, your dentist—along with countless government and public health officials—has praised and promoted the use of fluoride, both in toothpaste and drinking water, calling it a “necessary” part of your oral health regimen.

But let’s make this point clear: fluoride is not an essential nutrient needed for your health—dental or otherwise. There is not one single metabolic process in your body that requires fluoride. On the contrary, fluoride is a cumulative poison.

Approximately 98 percent of the fluoride you ingest in water is absorbed into your blood through your gastrointestinal tract. From there, it enters your body’s cellular tissues. On average, about 50 percent of the fluoride you ingest each day gets excreted through your kidneys. The remainder accumulates in your teeth and bones, pineal gland, and other tissues—including your blood vessels, where it can contribute to calcification.

The video below features an interview with Christopher Bryson, author of the book: The Fluoride Deception. Both the book and this interview were published 16 years ago, in 2004. Bryson is an award-winning journalist and former radio producer at the BBC. 

The book is based on nearly a decade’s worth of research, and it reveals the shocking details of how fluoride—a toxic byproduct of the aluminum industry—ended up being added to drinking water as a dental prophylactic.

QUICK FACTS:

97% of western Europe has rejected water fluoridation

Many children now exceed recommended daily fluoride intake from toothpaste alone.

Fluoride is not a nutrient.

36 studies have linked fluoride with reduced IQ in children.

Fluoride causes the thyroid harm. 

Reverse osmosis water filtration is the best way to get rid of fluoride but not convenient for apartments. My next suggestion is Berkey water filters. If you are questioning the quality of your current water you can always bring it in and get it muscle tested at your next appointment. Also make sure your toothpaste is fluoride free as well.  If you have thyroid health concerns definitely make sure you don't drink water or use toothpaste with fluoride in it.