Table Of ContentWhiplash Dynamics
and Manual Muscle Testing
Co-Authored and Edited by
Scott Cuthbert DC
David S. Walther DC DIBAK
© 2017, The Gangasas Press, LLC
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the Publishers.
Permissions may be sought directly from the author.
First published in 2017
REV: Jan2017
ISBN: 978-0-9887452-2-3
Notice: The material in this text is a compendium of clinical and research information developed in the discipline of
applied kinesiology (AK). There are references to the standard scientific literature that helps put AK procedures into
perspective. The authors have taken care to make certain the information is compatible with information available in
the field at the time of publication. The physician using this material must take into account all of the patient’s findings
including: clinical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and other procedures when applicable to arrive at a final
conclusion regarding the patient’s condition and best approach to treatment. The author disclaims all responsibility for
any liability, loss, injury, or damage incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of
the contents of this volume.
TheGangasasPress.com
Acknowledgments
My sincere thanks go to the many chiropractors,
David Gavin is the artist responsible for the
kinesiologists, osteopaths, manual medicine experts,
illustrations in this new series of applied kinesi-
nutritionists, physiotherapists, acupuncturists and
ology texts. His work clarifies the material and
others whose work we have drawn on for this series
makes for more pleasant reading. His illustrations
of books.
for the head and neck in this volume offer greater
From the chiropractic profession Drs. Croft, Gat- clarity to the AK evaluation of WAD not previ-
terman, and Murphy, for their exemplary works on ously published in any text.
whiplash associated disorders (WAD) and neck pain
generally have been essential. Drs. Schmitt, Illi, Janse, Thanks also to those who gave other forms of as-
the Palmers father and son, the Masarskys husband sistance when needed, each in a distinctive and deci-
and wife, Leaf, Maffetone, Walker, and the entire sive form: Dr. Don McDowall for his reassurance and
membership of the International College of Applied problem-solving abilities; and friends Gene Horst-
Kinesiology -- as well as the many groups of profes- man, Jurgen Reinzuch, and Mike Fuhrman for their
sional and lay clinicians who derive their basic meth- lasting and wise counsel.
odologies from AK deserve special thanks. I dedicate this book to the memory of Dr. Da-
Professor Gwendolen Jull and her team of phys- vid S. Walther and to our staff at the Chiropractic
iotherapy researchers in Australia have provided re- Health Center, PC, and particularly our clinic’s man-
markable documentation of the role of muscle dys- ager Camie Gottula who always helped with extraor-
function in WAD. The osteopaths Chaitow, Barral, dinary tolerance and support.
Croibier, Sutherland, Magoun, and Korr deserve out- Lastly, a special debt of gratitude to my mother
standing credit. Pansy and my family who have been and continue to
Several giants of manual medicine, particularly remain crucial to my well-being.
Drs. Janet Travell and David G. Simons, have given
us so many insights and so much impetus to the evo-
2017 S.C.C.
lution of our concepts of myofascial dysfunction and
particularly muscular inhibition resulting from mus-
cle pain and myofascial trigger points after motor ve-
hicle accidents.
About the Authors and
Contributors
Scott Cuthbert BA DC has spent the past decade publishing AK outcome
studies and literature reviews. His professional focus aims to advance education
in all the allied professions to include applied kinesiology for acute, chronic, and
functional health impairments and pain syndromes. A native of California, Dr. Scott
first attended St. John’s College, where he received his BA in the liberal arts. Dr. Scott
then graduated from the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. He
migrated to Ireland and practiced chiropractic on Finn MacCool’s island. He now
resides in Pueblo, Colorado where he took over Dr. Walther’s clinic after his passing,
and continues to focus his writing about AK on the cliffs above the Arkansas River.
David S. Walther DC DIBAK is an internationally known and respected
chiropractic practitioner and teacher of applied kinesiology methods. He is author
of 3 classic textbooks on AK, the primary developer of the 100 hour basic course
syllabus adopted by The International College of Applied Kinesiology (ICAK) as well
as instruction workbooks for the revised 100 hour basic course syllabus adopted by the
ICAK (1992). David Walther created over 10,000 slides for teaching applied kinesiology
that are used by certified teachers of the ICAK, and has published nearly 100 patient-
education pamphlets demonstrating the scope of practice of AK.
Preface
This book describes the rationale and practice of time, and covers lower body dysfunctions. The next
manual muscle testing (MMT) for whiplash associat- book will cover the AK MMT approach for upper
ed disorders (WAD). This is now a widely recognized body dysfunctions.
approach in the diagnosis and treatment of musculo-
This book:
skeletal, craniosacral, biochemical, and psychosocial
• Details the background of muscular dysfunction
dysfunctions. The text provides a comprehensive and
in WAD and explains why muscular inhibition is
up-to-date presentation of the evidence substantiating
a primary feature of the structural, biochemical,
MMT techniques for patients suffering from whiplash
and mental-emotional disturbances accompanying
injuries. Many patients who have suffered from cervi-
and often perpetuating the symptoms following
cal trauma due to whiplash dynamics obtain a much
whiplash injuries
lower plateau of return to health than is possible when
• Provides precise assessment and diagnostic
AK and MMT examination and treatment are added
guidelines
to the usual treatment regimen, whether it has in-
• Demonstrates the clinical relevance of the research
cluded manipulative treatment or not. This text makes
to the student and busy practitioner to help identify
clear that for full recovery, the examination of muscle
the features involved in persisting neck pain from
dysfunction for these patients is vital.
whiplash injuries
The different procedures developed by Dr. George
• Explains the use of AK for individual muscle
J. Goodheart, Jr. and others in the International Col-
problems, muscle chain reactions, local and
lege of Applied Kinesiology are derived from many remote myofascial dysfunction and joint
disciplines including chiropractic, osteopathy, medi- subluxations
cine, dentistry, acupuncture, nutrition and more, and
• Provides the most current compilation of the MMT
are currently being used by doctors of chiropractic,
evidence-base and literature reviews relating to
osteopathy, homeopathy, massage therapy, physio- WAD
therapy, naturopathy, dentistry and medicine around
• MMT evaluation shows that even if the cervical
the world, with an estimated one million manual mus-
spine is properly treated, there will be limited return
cle testers now in clinical practice. These approaches
to optimal function because the spine is only one
are used as an adjunct to their normal methods of di- portion of the total stomatognathic and cranio-sacral
agnosis and therapy, making the relationship between system that works as an integrated whole. The doctor
AK MMT and the other branches of complementary using MMT has a unique opportunity to properly
and alternative medicine (CAM) reciprocal and mu- evaluate and correct this integration
tually reinforcing. • Extensively illustrated with line and color drawings
Few text-books remain popular for close to 30 and photographs
years unless they have an intrinsic value and fill a real • Manual muscle testing procedures provide an
need within the healing professions. Dr. David S. Wal- interactive, integrated assessment of the functional
ther’s original series of AK textbooks (begun in 1976 health status of an individual who has been injured
and expanded and updated by the co-author in 2014) in a motor vehicle accident. It is a method that is
present an evolving method of functional diagnosis not equipment intensive but does emphasize the
importance of correlating and understanding all
for a wide-range of human functional problems. This
findings with standard, evidence-based, best-
text is the 5th in a projected series of 6 volumes.
practice diagnostic procedures.
Volume I presented most of the basic procedures
used in AK, as well as the precise execution of the
manual muscle test. Volume II extensively covers the
craniosacral and craniomandibular systems as evalu-
ated and treated in AK. Volume III was projected to
cover the meridian system, but has been presented
instead in Walther’s Synopsis and is updated in this
volume. The next two books were edited by SCC with
Dr. David S. Walther,
several collaborators, including Dr. Walther. Applied
DC, DIBAK
Kinesiology Essentials: The Missing Link in Healthcare
offers the most updated compilation of the AK out-
comes evidence-base and updated the scientific ra-
tionales and approaches of AK, as well as the impor-
tance of the MMT in physical-emotional-nutritional
diagnosis. Applied Kinesiology: Clinical Techniques for
Lower Body Dysfunctions was published at the same
Reviews:
Reader reviews on this series of AK textbooks
“I purchased Applied Kinesiology Essentials to see if I would recommend it to the doctors who take my Applied Kinesiology Certification
Course; either in person or via my DVDs. I have been certifying doctors in applied kinesiology for 20 years and was not sure about adding a new
text to my course. Here is my answer: I am so impressed with the depth and magnitude of this book that not only am I going to recommend it; I
am going to require my doctors to have it.
I feel every doctor should know applied kinesiology and I feel every applied kinesiologist should own this book.
I challenge any doctor to call applied kinesiology “unscientific” after reading Applied Kinesiology Essentials!”
– Eugene Charles, D.C., DIBAK
“A new generation of applied kinesiology (AK) textbooks is here. The first of several planned publications, Applied Kinesiology Essentials is
co-authored and edited by Scott Cuthbert, DC.
Cuthbert carefully discusses the extensive reaches of AK’s assessment and treatment capabilities. These include how body and brain dysfunc-
tion, whether pathologic or, most commonly, the reversible physiopathologic state, is reflected in muscle imbalance. Through a better understand-
ing of afferent and efferent systems, sensorimotor receptors, mental receptors, proprioception and cognitive development with it’s important motor
relationships, we can better integrate this holistic approach into a unique and effective model of healthcare.
Just as important, this textbook provides an up-to-date scientific scrutiny of a vast and often misunderstood—and misused—segment of
healthcare. Those employing any aspect of manual muscle testing will find it refreshingly useful, from physical therapists, chiropractors, and os-
teopaths, to medical doctors, massage therapists and other practitioners who incorporate any form of bodywork. This aspect of the book by itself
has incredible value to help communicate the scientific strength of AK for the inter- and intra-professional exchange of ideas, and, when necessary,
for local licensing boards and legal needs.”
– Philip Maffetone, DC
“APPLIED KINESIOLOGY ESSENTIALS: The Missing Link in Healthcare, co-authored and edited by Scott Cuthbert with contributions
from David S. Walther, Anthony Rosner, Barton A, Stark, and John L. Stump, is a welcome addition to the current dearth of material in the growing
health care field of applied kinesiology (AK). This is the third in a projected series of five volumes aimed to detail the background of muscular dys-
function, provide precise assessment and diagnostic guidelines, offer current literature reviews on AK, provides variations in the application of AK,
and describes best-practice applications. The authors’ credentials are impressive. They are each internationally known and respected in the health
care field with an area of expertise, such as chiropractic, oriental medicine, acupuncture, functional medicine, healthcare education, biochemistry,
and research. This is fitting because AK is the integration of many forms of mainstream and complementary and alternative systems of evaluation
and treatment. The book is written for a broad audience of professionals that evaluate and treat a wide variety of conditions.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in AK. It also serves as a good reference for up to date research for those interested in
teaching. For less than the price of an office visit this textbook is well worth it.”
– David P. Sniezek, DC, MD, MBA, FAAIM
“The author has a BA in Liberal Arts, a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. He is a member of the board of directors of ICAK-USA and chair of its
research committee. Cuthbert was mentored, shared clinical practice, and bequeathed Walther’s research material. Cuthbert has published over 50
research studies on applied kinesiology methods including 11 papers indexed in PubMed. He is well qualified to write this continuation of Walther’s
texts.
Traditional AK methods got locked into the research, terminology and style of clinical practice of the 1960-70’s. Dr. Cuthbert has broken that
mold with Applied Kinesiology Essentials-The Missing Link in Healthcare and shows the modern relevance of the original observations of the
pioneers of Applied Kinesiology.
Add this book, as well as the next in the series, to your library or iPad. This book achieves its aim and needs quite reflection and time to impress
its theme on the reader.”
– Donald McDowall, DC, MAppSc, DIBAK, FACC
President International College of Applied Kinesiology Australasia
“A must read for anyone interested in finding out about AK, or anyone interested in exploring different forms of physical medicine.”
“Ultimate authority on AK.”
“This book truly stands alone on the topic of Applied Kinesiology. Even if you have just a little understanding of anatomy, physiology, and chemistry
you will find this to be clear enough and well-written enough to mushroom your knowledge. If you want to learn how to become adept at “assessing” health
conditions and sub-clinical deficiencies and to incorporate AK into your work -- whether massage, chiropractic, osteopathy, kinesiology, PT, nutritional
therapist, dentistry, standard medicine, or even just working with your family -- then THIS is the book you want. Packed with info that is straight to the
point and simultaneously rich in details, it has been my guide into understanding how to assess and facilitate the healing and repair of the human body. It
has served me extremely well and, in my opinion, it is the only book on the subject you will need. It does not disappoint.”
“A thorough understanding of the material in this text will enable a physician, whatever his or her specialty, to more effectively handle problem patients
and get to the basic underlying cause of a condition. Many health complaints are better understood with the information available in this text.”
Table of Contents
Whiplash Dynamics and Manual Muscle Testing
Acknowledgements ...............................................................iii
About the Authors and Contributors ..................................iv
Preface .......................................................................................v
Reviews ....................................................................................vi
Table of Contents ................................................................viii
Chapter 1: Manual Muscle Testing for Whiplash Associated Disorders ..................7
Cervical Flexors Sternocleidomastoid .............2
Scalenus Medius ...............................................6
Scalenus Posticus .............................................6
Longus Capitis ..................................................8
Longus Colli .....................................................8
Cervical Extensors Upper Trapezius ..............10
Splenius Capitis ..............................................13
Splenius Cervicis ............................................13
Semispinalis Capitis.......................................13
Semispinalis Cervicis ....................................13
Levator Scapula ..............................................15
References: ......................................................17
Chapter 2: Whiplash Dynamics and Manual Muscle Testing .................................19
Whiplash: What is it? ......................................21
MMT Approach to Herniated
Cervical Discs and Radiculopathy .................24
Perspectives toward “Whiplash.” ...................27
Reflections on the Dynamics of Whiplash .....29
References: .....................................................31
Chapter 3: Epidemiology of Whiplash .....................................................................35
Body Language of WAD and
Neurological Disorganization ........................36
The “Whiplash Injury Pattern” ......................39
Seatbelt Designs ..............................................41
WAD from Athletic Trauma ...........................42
WAD in “Shaken Infant Syndrome” ...............43
References: ......................................................45
Chapter 4: The Manual Muscle Test:
A Clinical Preduction Rule for Soft Tissue Trauma ...........................................47
Brain and CNS Trauma ..................................51
Cranial Dysfunctions in Whiplash
Associated Disorder ........................................52
Universal Cranial Fault and WAD .................55
References: ......................................................58
Chapter 5: Temporomandibular Disorder Management in WAD:
The Jaw is a Neuromuscular Organ ....................................................................61
The Identificationof Muscle Dysfunction
in Wad: a Key to Successful TMD Treatment .64
An Integrated System of Muscle Function
Testing and Treatment for TMD ....................65
Temporomandibular Joint and
Whiplash Associated Disorders .....................68
References: ......................................................70
Chapter 6: Disturbances In Eye Movement Control & Vision ................................73
Vestibular System ............................................80
AK Improves Sensory Integration ...............81
References: ......................................................85
Chapter 7: Vertebral Artery Syndrome ...................................................................89
Anatomy ..........................................................90
Iatrogenic Role in Vertebral
Artery Accidents .............................................92
Risk Factors ....................................................93
Trauma ............................................................93
Age ..................................................................93
Medications ...................................................93
Anomalies ......................................................93
Provocative Tests ............................................93
George’s test36 .......................................................................................94
Dizziness test38 ...............................................95
Maigne’s maneuver39 ..................................................................95
De Kleyn’s test40 ................................................................................95
Extension test41 ..............................................95
Hautant’s test42 ...............................................95
Unterberger’s test43 ......................................................................95
False Sense of Security ..................................95
“Spontaneous” Accidents ...............................96
Similar Unrelated Symptoms .........................97
Manipulative Plan ..........................................97
If Manipulation Creates Symptoms ..............98
Legal ................................................................98
Pre-existing Conditions .................................99
Low Back Involvement .................................100
References: ....................................................104
Chapter 8: Psychosocial Factors in WAD ..............................................................109
Emotional Patterns .......................................111
References: ....................................................114
