Muscle Testing

In my helpful hints, I often refer to the mysterious inner wisdom that we can tap into when we are in doubt. Last week, (Link #1) I described it as “purity and balance at the soul-wisdom level.” I wrote about “hidden spaces that harbor spontaneous harmony.”

From the perspective of PetMassage, dog massage, canine massage, animal massage, animal bodywork, and animal energy work, this is the goal: to access these hidden treasures.

In my writing process, I sometimes have a difficult time deciding which phrase to use. Is it PetMassage, dog massage, canine massage, animal massage, animal bodywork, or animal energy work? You can see the conundrum. Each is right, though each does not encompass entirely what I want to convey. PetMassage is a type of canine massage. Canine Massage is one version of animal massage. A dog massage is fundamentally different from cat massage, bird massage, bunny rabbit massage, equine massage, and the very careful massage you would give a hedgehog.

Continuing, animal bodywork encompasses a wide variety of modalities that could include the use of hot stones, positioning, and specific sequencing. Animal energy work approaches animal bodywork with its own spectrum of assumptions and expectations.

Each of these categories and subcategories has the same directive: to access the “tendrils of psycho/physiologic energy that inspire the whole of the dog to optimize balance to body integrity.” This is another reference from last week’s newsletter. Oh yes, and I also referred to it as “PetMassageTM wormhole canine massage,” that taps “into purity and balance at the soul-wisdom level.”

Sometimes we do not know what to focus on during PetMassage, dog massage, et al, sessions. When we cannot get the direction we require from the dog, we may need to access our own “connections.” We got da connections! We’re in with all the right people, physical and spiritual. We, actually, are always connected. We just aren’t paying attention.
So, when I am choosing which phrase or set of phrases to use in a blog like this, just as in my PetMassage, canine massage … sessions, I muscle test.

Muscle testing validates the correctness of a procedure or a direction for exploration. Before I tell you what works for me I want to give you some content from other sources. These are not the definitive sites; just the two that I happened to pull up.

From the website listed below (Link #2) we read that muscle testing is a noninvasive way of evaluating the body’s imbalances and assessing its needs which is based “on the concept of internal energy fundamental to traditional Chinese medicine. It involves testing the body’s responses when applying slight pressure to a large muscle, to provide information on energy blockages, the functioning of the organs, nutritional deficiencies, and food sensitivities, among other things. It can also be used to test the body’s responses to herbs and other remedies.

“In a typical example of muscle testing, you’re given an herb to hold. You extend the other arm and are asked to keep it straight. The practitioner presses down on this arm and the opposite shoulder with equal pressure (to facilitate balance). If the herb is something you need, you’ll be able to resist the downward pressure and hold your arm rigid. If not, you won’t.”

There is also self muscle testing. “One way is to touch the thumb to the middle finger of each hand to form two rings, linked through each other. Say something true — for example, “My name is [give your name].” At the same time, pull the linked fingers of the right hand against those of the left, but don’t allow them to separate.

Then say something false — for example, “My name is [give someone else’s name].” Do the same thing as before with the fingers, but this time deliberately separate them, as though they were flying apart or repelling each other.”

(Link #3) “The Snap” is a single-handed muscle-testing technique. The snap involves pressing the thumb and a finger of one hand together as if you’re about to snap your fingers. Use a firm but not painful pressure. Imagining and feeling your “yes” person or thing, feel the strength between the finger and thumb. Imagine and feel your “no” person or thing. Play with the pressure to determine how much you need to exert from the thumb to create a “snap” when you’re working with “no.” The snap is created when the finger gives way to the pressure of the thumb. Once you’re clear on the difference between a “yes” and a “no” muscle response, you can use the snap to self-test. If you’re curious about whether a particular food, herbal formula or supplement is good for you, hold it in your free hand and see if you can produce a snap. If your finger holds firm against pressure from your thumb, the item is probably OK.

In my PetMassage canine massage practice I use two methods, depending on my feeling about which would work better in this situation, at this time, with this dog. One is to maintain contact with the dog either with my forearms or having the dog lean against my chest and with both hands free, use a variation on the interlocking link method. I connect the tips of thumb and middle finger then with my question in mind, I attempt to separate the bond with the thumb and middle finger of the other hand pressing them apart. Strong connection means “yes,” and weak means “no.” I always test the system first with a couple of yes-no questions. It is a check on my polarity, which has to be in balance for muscle testing to have any value. Once my status as a valid source is established, the (inner) guide knows the best course of action. This works for me.

Another muscle testing method I use is to use my whole body as a pendulum. Again, I establish that my polarity is balanced. Then I observe how I am moving about in my shoes. I notice where my weight and center of balance is prominent. I observe my center moving forward, back, to the left, to the right, toward one or another of the corners. Soon, I am flowing with the current of my center, rotating like a pendulum, one way or another inside my shoes. I can feel which direction of movement indicates yes, and which means no. As I revolve, the dog leaning into me moves with me. The actions are responses that take on a power that is more than just my own. I am now working as part of a team. Our combined muscle testing accesses the brightest and the best of our energetic pools of wisdom.

You can learn more about muscle testing, pendulums, and joining e- forces with dogs in the book, (Link #4) “PetMassage Energy Work with Dogs, Accessing the Magnificent Body Language and Body Wisdom of the Dog.” http://petmassage.com/?product=petmassagetm-energy-work-with-dogs-book

This book is also available as a 5+ hour 5 Audio CD set. (Link #5)http://petmassage.com/?product=petmassagetm-energy-work-with-dogs-audio-5-cd-set

If your interest is really piqued, check out the PetMassage Energy Work Home study course (Link #6) http://petmassage.com/?product=energy-work-with-dogs-home-study-course-copy

Here’s your first exercise: using muscle testing discover which PetMassage Energy Works with Dogs venue best suits your needs!

Link #1 http://petmassage.com/?cat=25
Link #2: http://www.goodhealthinfo.net/herbalists/muscle_testing.htm
Link #3: http://www.livestrong.com/article/325815-techniques-for-self-muscle-testing/
Link #4: http://petmassage.com/?product=petmassagetm-energy-work-with-dogs-book
Link #5: http://petmassage.com/?product=petmassagetm-energy-work-with-dogs-audio-5-cd-set
Link #6: http://petmassage.com/?product=energy-work-with-dogs-home-study-course