The concept of Switching

Switching is a process by which neuro-messaging channels are stimulated in order to return the body to a state of neurological organisation, for the purpose of obtaining an accurate response from muscle tests and further Amatsu treatment.

To explain this fully, we first need to consider the body dissected on three plains. These plains are called sagittal (separating the left and right side of the body), frontal (separating the front and back of the body) and transverse (separating the top and bottom of the body). This dissection splits the body into 6 separate areas for consideration: Up, Down, Left, Right, Front, and Back.

If a person is functioning correctly without any health or mobility issues, then communication between each of these areas is undisrupted and is referred to as neurologically organised. This means that the neural messaging or communication between each of these areas runs along the shortest or most efficient path A-B without interruption.

If however there is a functional problem with messaging between 2 or more of these areas, then communication can be delayed, disrupted or in some severe cases even ceased. This condition is referred to as being neurologically disorganised or ‘switched’ and can often be indicated by tiredness, lack of concentration, lack of coordination, thirst and pain. In these cases a longer route might be taken from A-B, an alternative route may be required from A-C, or communication may stop altogether.

Because being switched means that messaging is inaccurate, any muscle tests completed while switched will most likely also be inaccurate. Because of this, we must carry out switching of the body, before proceeding further with treatment.

Switching is used to describe the process of stimulating/realigning the messaging between the 6 areas mentioned above. It initially involves invigorating three connections which relate specifically to neuro messaging between areas of the body: Pitch (Up-Down), Roll (Left-Right) and Yaw (Front-Back). These 3 are followed with a blood chemistry energy test used to test that sugar is being used appropriately by the body. We stimulate these connections and complete the blood chemistry test by gently rubbing pressure points in two corresponding areas simultaneously. This action subsequently forces messages to be sent between the two points via the shortest most efficient path across the relevant plain of dissection (mentioned above). This optimisation of connections causes the body to return to a state of neurological organisation or ‘unswitched’ the body. Following unswitching the body is communicating correctly and efficiently, by the shortest path and is expected to give a much more accurate response to any further testing or treatment. Thus returning any false readings to accurate.

Muscle Testing in Amatsu

Muscle testing in Amatsu is a method for testing the connection and communication between the brain and muscles, specifically in the brain’s ability to control muscle contraction.

Primarily, muscle testing is done to confirm the brain’s ability to contract the muscle in response to applied pressure; the ability to ‘lock’ a muscle gives a clear indication of strength and health in the body, whereas an inability to ‘lock’ indicates a muscle or area of the body is weak.

Secondarily, muscle testing is used to determine deeper health concerns within the body. Each muscle tested in Amatsu has a corresponding organ/meridian association, and weakness experienced in a muscle test will in most cases give a very clear indication of an underlying health concern such as an underactive organ, nutrient/vitamin deficiency or other health concern.

Unlike traditional Kinesiology, Amatsu muscle testing is gently applied to confirm if a muscle has the capacity to ‘lock’ at will, rather than forcefully applied to measure the strength or range of motion of a muscle. This is because muscle tests which are applied with too much pressure will cause a muscle to recruit the help of other muscles and will give a false result in the test. This in turn may prevent a practitioner from making an accurate diagnosis or following the correct route for treatment.

Before muscle tests can be applied a practitioner must be neurologically switched to ensure accurate results are obtained, and no transference occurs. Following this the Amatsu practitioner will test a muscle for the client. A muscle test is applied in the opposite direction to the muscle’s normal function. At the request of the practitioner and on their cue the client will resist light pressure applied in the muscle test. The Practitioner will then switch the client and retest the same muscle. A ‘lock’ should occur. The practitioner will note this muscle as a previously intact muscle (PIM) and proceed with testing further muscles in the body. If there are any occurrences which seem not to be correct, the practitioner returns to the PIM and tests to ensure the client is still switched. If they are not, they are most likely dehydrated and should be given a drink of water, and reswitched and tested again.

Finding a weak muscle can enable the practitioner to pinpoint illness in the corresponding internal organs in the body. A weak muscle in the calve might indicate a bladder problem. If a muscle tests weaker after a substance is placed on or near the client, it is likely the client has an intolerance to that substance, causing a weakness in the organ (for example, person with intolerance to sugar will likely test weaker in the muscle when near sugar, and will be indicated specifically in the latissimus dorsi muscle test).  If the muscle tests stronger in the presence of a substance then it is likely that substance will help to resolve health concerns (for example vitamin A for liver weakness etc.)

The concept of the GODAI

The GODAI, or ‘big 5’ is the name given in Amatsu to the five main areas which can affect the functional health and well-being of a person. These main areas are: environmental, structural, emotional, electrical and chemical.

These 5 areas are significantly relevant to the holistic approach of Amatsu, as they bring into focus every aspect of the person’s lifestyle, choices, habits, health and environment for diagnosis and treatment. (leaving no stone unturned).

To explain this we first need to look at how Amatsu approaches the body and treatment thereof.

Take for specific example shoulder pain; the approach of other therapies might be to treat that pain locally and recommend some targeted exercises; In Amatsu a much broader, holistic picture is considered; Nothing is taken for granted. The pain could be a result of referral pain from another injury or trapped nerve (electrical), it could be a physical symptom of stress (emotional) or a reaction to repetitive actions (environmental), it may be worsened by dietary deficiencies or excesses (chemical), it could be a result of a build-up of waste products in the area or simply just a localised injury (structural).

With Amatsu it is just as important to identify the underlying cause of ill health as it is to address the symptom. Amatsu practitioners understand that there are many everyday factors that affect health and well-being and that they are not all physical. Every client visit is approached with consideration for the 5 main areas of the GODAI in diagnosis and treatment because an Amatsu practitioner understands that any change in one of these will affect each one of these as well as affecting the client’s overall health.

Take another example: a client who suffers from stress and anxiety in the workplace, who goes on to experience physical pain which they may then have pain medication prescribed. In this case, a number of the areas of the GODAI have been affected and have subsequently worsened the client’s condition. The stress and anxiety (emotional) caused by the workplace (environmental) have caused pain (structural) which has been treated with medication (chemical). Demonstrating that any factor of the GODAI on their own or simultaneously either in excess or deficiency can have a significant impact on a person’s overall health and well-being.

Coincidentally, Amatsu takes much of its knowledge of movement and well-being from nature and through watching and learning about our environment, and other living things within it, so it does not seem strange that GODAI is also the term used in Japan to describe the five elements, which they believe are the building blocks of all things.