I have already talked about the ABAB (on/off, on/off) style of testing for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome (MCS) triggers.  Another style of testing that I have had tremendous results with is a process called Muscle Testing. 

 

Muscle testing is a little woo-woo for my general taste but I have to say, “If it works, then use it”.  What is muscle testing?  It’s a process of allowing your body to bypass your conscious mind and give you information you might not otherwise have access too.  The theory is that our bodies know instinctively if something is good for us or not.  Have you ever had an unexplained strong negative/positive reaction to a person, place or thing that you could not readily explain?  Muscle testing is a way of tapping into that instinct without the information getting clouded by our own thinking. 

 

I was introduced to Muscle Testing about ten years ago by a Naturopath/Dentist.  I had all my metal fillings removed and had porcelain fillings put in.  One of the best decisions I have every made as far as MCS is concerned.  He used muscle testing to determine what would be the best material to use for the replacement fillings.  It seemed a little strange at the time but, we have not made an incorrect decision about materials to use when we have employed this technique.

 

How do you Muscle Test?  You will need a partner but first pick what items you wish to test.  Let’s say you are curious if some personal care products you saw at your local natural market are good for you or not.  You want to test two shampoos, one soap and a moisturizer.  To begin the testing process you only need a very small amount of each one, only a drop of each liquid and a flake from the soap.  It is important that you put each in a container that will allow no scent or texture to get through.  It has to be a blind test.  Neither you nor the person assisting you in this process can know what is in each sample.  The way I find works best is to put a very small sample into a Ziploc snack bag.  Once the sample is in the bag it can be sealed then placed into a white envelope.  This way the smell, color and texture will be hidden. 

 

Face your partner.  Put your right arm outwards, pointing toward their left shoulder.  Place the item to be tested over the center of your chest, hold it in place with your left hand.  Your partner, who is facing towards you, will place their right palm over your right wrist.  Look forward and say “I know this item to be good for me”.  Immediately after saying this, your partner will gently but firmly attempt to push your arm down with the palm of their hand.  If your arm remains rigid your body is indicating the truth of your statement, if you arm is easily pushed down your body knows that it is false statement.  If you try this a few times you will be amazed how there will be times when you simply can not keep your arm facing straight out.  Your partner will be able to very easily push your arm down.  This reaction will indicate that the item being tested is NOT good for you. 

 

When I do this test, I break the responses down into four categories: Very Good, Good, Bad, and Very Bad.  After each test I’ll write one of those statements on the envelope so I will know which item was graded what way when I reopen the envelopes.  Most things are not simply black or white.  It will be up to you to decide what to do about the different items in each category. 

 

It is not necessary to use full samples of each item to be tested.  Do your best to find a sample but if example of the item is not available you can get a reliable test just by, say, rubbing a cotton ball on the item in question.  You can even write down names of people or places and put them into the Ziploc bag.  Trust your body’s intuition.  Muscle testing has been an invaluable tool for me in determining what I should have and should not have in my immediate environment.