updated June 1, 2025

Autonomic Response Testing, or ART May Provide Answers

Autonomic Response Testing, ART, uses muscle testing through biofeedback of the Autonomic Nervous System
(ANS) to determine disturbances and potential remedies. ART is a Functional Assessment test used by the Holistic/Integrative Doctor, which measure bodily function, or dysfunction, not specific disease.

Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt blended the muscle testing of American Applied Kinesiology with the understanding of the anatomy and physiology of German Neural Therapy developed ART. The result is a highly structured muscle testing biofeedback
system designed to give reliable and reproducible results. The ANS is our functional nervous system, responsible for normal bodily functions and abnormal adaptation to health problems. Detectable problems within the ANS are present in all chronic disease and dysfunction and all chronic disease and dysfunction has a treatable autonomic component to the problem.

Pain and Fatigue Are Common Complaints without Answers

Fatigue and pain are two complaints that every physician hears at least once a day and a growing number of people in the USA are experiencing at least once a day. They are the two most prevalent symptoms that patients describe when they become desperate for help. Every day I hear the phrase “I have been to fifteen different doctors and no one can tell me why I’m so tired or at least give me something to fix it”. So what is keeping these doctors from finding the answer?

Many times the answer cannot be found by simply looking at lab results. Both pain and fatigue can be manifestations of deep underlying issues and labeling it chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia still does not explain why a person is experiencing it or how to treat it now so that the patient does not undergo a lifelong struggle. Many doctors believe that both pain and fatigue are psychosomatic disorders and will refer to a psychiatrist. While that may be the case in some, many others are struggling with chronic Lyme disease, mold sensitivity, food intolerances, thyroid or hormonal imbalance, lack of essential nutrients, and/or heavy metal toxicity just as the tip of the iceberg.

Diagnosing any condition can be costly and often erroneous. Each practitioner is trained differently and not every one of them has been educated on the endless avenues one can take when ordering lab work. This often leads to a multitude of doctor’s visits and unanswered questions. Often even when a diagnosis is made, the doctor is at a loss for how to treat the patient. That is where Autonomic Response Testing, or ART, may provide useful information.

ART, Advanced Muscle Testing Looks at the Root Cause

A medical assessment tool (like ART) that records generalized and localized ANS disturbance can be helpful in determining the root causes of health disturbances. ART is one of a growing number of functional assessment tools used by the Integrative Medical Doctor along with conventional medical tests and sound medical judgment to develop an Integrative Medical strategy.