ND meets AK: A Comprehensive Approach to Treating the Whole Person

The practice of naturopathic medicine is fundamentally rooted in viewing the patient as an interconnected whole. This perspective is critical for achieving long-lasting health outcomes. In this article, I’ll outline my clinical approach to addressing the whole person, including leveraging the patient’s innate healing intelligence—what I refer to as the “inner physician”—and the application of Applied Kinesiology (AK) as an evaluation and therapeutic tool. 

Engaging the Body’s Innate Intelligence 

Consider this: within our bodies, countless processes are happening beneath the surface—within our organs, tissues, and systems—that most of us aren’t aware of. 

When you visit a doctor, you share what you know: your symptoms, how you’ve been feeling, how you’re sleeping, eating, and managing your lifestyle. Naturopathic doctors look beyond this information to explore all the aspects of your health. However, even with all this information, there are still things you may not be aware of, like whether a parasite is in your gut, a cavity is forming, or an early-stage illness is developing. 

This is where applied kinesiology comes in. Using this technique, we can “speak” to your inner physician—the intelligence within your body that knows what’s happening in every organ and system. This allows us to understand the root cause of your symptoms and find the right solution for your unique situation. 

This approach sets my practice apart: I use AK to connect with the body’s vital force, identify what’s out of balance, and determine the best path to restore health. 

Beyond Symptoms: The Holistic Perspective 

Our bodies consist of 12 major organ systems, each interdependent and influenced by an energetic framework well-documented in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Symptoms often manifest in areas of the body struggling to compensate, but the root cause frequently lies elsewhere. 

At any given time, one organ system may be under the most significant stress and require immediate intervention. Identifying and addressing this “priority system” is essential to resolving symptoms and restoring the body’s natural equilibrium. When symptoms alone drive clinical decision-making, we risk overlooking the true etiology. 

Applied Kinesiology enables practitioners to rapidly pinpoint the most critical system and provide interventions—whether biochemical, structural, or energetic—precisely where they will have the greatest therapeutic impact. 

The Triad of Health: Biochemical, Structural, and Energetic Factors Effective care requires addressing three primary domains: 

1. The Biochemical Body 

This domain encompasses all physiological and biochemical processes, including nutrient levels, enzyme function, toxin exposure, hormonal balance, and 

pharmacological or dietary inputs. 

Conventional medicine predominantly focuses on this area, using pharmaceuticals to modulate physiological processes. While effective in many cases in the short term, this approach often overlooks the physical and energetic factors contributing to dysfunction. Even in natural medicine, some practitioners focus solely on the biochemical domain, substituting herbs or supplements for pharmaceuticals. 

2. The Structural Body 

Structural health is foundational to overall well-being. Clinicians must assess: ○ Neuromuscular integrity: Are nerves appropriately innervating their target tissues? 

○ Musculoskeletal alignment: Are joints, vertebrae, and soft tissues properly aligned to facilitate optimal movement and function? 

○ Internal organ positioning: Have trauma, pregnancy, or infections caused organ displacement or adhesions that impede circulation or lymphatic flow? 

Structural dysfunction, whether from post-surgical scarring, biomechanical misalignments, or poor posture, often contributes to systemic issues. In conventional medicine, this area of health is often referred to physical the therapy, surgery, or given a pharmaceutical to mitigate the pain. 

3. The Energetic/Emotional Body 

This domain includes the patient's mental, emotional, and energetic state—their thoughts, beliefs, traumas, and even the vibrational patterns that underlie physical health. Concepts like Chi, Prana, or vital force, widely recognized in Eastern medicine, have parallels in neuroscience and psychoneuroimmunology, illustrating how mental and emotional states influence physical health. 

While this area is often overlooked in Western medicine, research increasingly supports the role of emotional health in physical outcomes. Applied kinesiology provides tools to assess and address these factors effectively. 

Clinical Application: Bridging Evaluation and Treatment

The clinical process begins with a thorough patient history and symptom review. However, the cornerstone of care lies in the assessment performed on the treatment table. During this phase, AK assesses the body’s response to various stimuli, identifies the priority system needing support, and determines the most effective intervention. 

Interventions vary based on the findings and may include: 

● Biochemical support: such as nutrient supplementation, detoxification, or dietary modifications 

● Structural adjustments: such as craniosacral therapy, soft tissue work, scar tissue release, or postural and spinal realignment 

● Energetic or emotional interventions: such as thought reframing, mindfulness techniques, or addressing unresolved emotional traumas with NET, EFT, Psych-K 

Patients typically leave with concise recommendations and begin noticing changes as their body integrates the treatment. Each subsequent visit builds on prior progress, with new assessments conducted to ensure that care remains aligned with the patient’s evolving needs. 

Restoring Homeostasis and Empowering Patients 

The ultimate goal of this approach is to guide patients back to homeostasis—the body’s natural set point of balance—without long-term reliance on pharmaceutical or herbal interventions. This process not only resolves current symptoms but also educates patients about maintaining health and resilience against future stressors, whether physical, biochemical, or emotional. 

By addressing the whole person and utilizing Applied Kinesiology, we can move beyond symptom management to uncover and treat the root causes of illness, facilitating true healing and sustainable health. 

Dr. Heidi Albete, ND, PAK 

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