The following are descriptions of the integrative medicine assessment method and the most pertinent integrative medicine treatments discussed in this article.
Autonomic Response Testing (ART)
ART is one of the versions of applied kinesiology. Applied kinesiology was originated by George Goodheart, Jr., DC[
19]. Other versions of applied kinesiology have been developed with the conviction that the newer versions are more accurate. A number of integrative medicine practitioners use some version of applied kinesiology to identify disease factors and possible therapeutic agents. Applied kinesiology expands on manual muscle testing assessment by introducing a stimulus such as a food, toxin, allergen, etc. The two assessments are compared, determining whether the response to the stimulus yielded strengthening, weakening, or no change in muscle function. This change in muscle function is used as a predictive assessment of positive, negative, or neutral responses to the stimulus, respectively.
The herein discussed version named ART was developed by Dietrich Klinghardt MD, PhD and Louisa Williams DC, ND. Dr. Klinghardt provides training programs on ART throughout the year[20-22]. It is noted that different versions of applied kinesiology may give conflicting results. Thus far, there is only one peer reviewed evaluation of ART. We published a pilot study (14 patients) on the validity of ART for predicting the results of an Immunoglobulin E blood test for allergy identification[
23]. Our results were positive sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, overall accuracy, phi coefficient, and Cohen’s kappa were all in the anticipated direction. All the preceding measures were of useful or strong strength.
ART therapeutics draws on all available therapeutics including those from Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, homeopathy, osteopathic medicine, allopathic medicine, chiropractic medicine, dentistry, etc. ART helps to guide the choice of interventions. This guidance has resulted in positive clinical outcomes in patients who have failed standard medical therapy. The crux of ART is the assessment procedure, which is twofold. ART informs the identification of contributing factors to the ailment and the choice of intervention.
ART has been extremely helpful at the CIIM for helping patients who have failed standard medical assessment and treatment[24-28].
Case Reports
Case 1: 13-year-old female eighth grader with severe refractory eczema. The patient’s eczema was first noticed at age 3 and was managed with topical over-the-counter creams. A flare up the summer before coming to our practice lead to painful, raw, open skin. The itching and pain was severe enough to interfere with sleep. Treatment was sought at urgent care, allergist, dermatologist, and an eczema team at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia which included an allergist, dermatologist, and hematologist. Treatments included hydrocortisone cream, methylprednisolone, clobetasole ointment, cetirizine cream. Symptoms worsened over the course of treatment. She began having chills, difficulty regulating body temperature, and fatigue. She developed hair loss on her scalp and eyebrows. The patient was unable to attend school the two months prior to our clinic visit due to the severity of symptoms.
The patient was seen at our clinic 16 times over the course of 1 year. She was assessed with autonomic response testing (ART). The ART assessment informed us of the contributing factors to the eczema and their remedies. ART indicated the following contributing factors: nickel, strep A and aluminum. Her treatments included: a low-nickel diet; acupuncture; ionic foot baths; LipoPhos® EDTA; modified Low Dose Immunotherapy (LDI) for nickel, skin, staph/strep combination, general foods, and microbiome; Cilantro; vitamin D3 5000 IU daily; vitamin K2 125 mcg daily; and GLA in the form of Borage oil (240 mg) two capsules daily.
By one month after the initial visit, there was improvement in the rash, sleep and itch symptoms. The patient was able to resume some social activities, comfortably wear clothes and exercise. Six months after the initial visit (10 visits total), she started high school in person. By the 16th visit, her skin was >95% better without use of steroid creams. Her mother noted more social activities and normal functioning.
She had no recurrence for four years, until she had her belly button pierced with a nickel containing piece of jewelry. Her systemic eczema symptoms quickly developed and became severe. Follow up treatment was similar to our original approach along with removal of the metal belly ring. The eczema rash and itch resolved in a three-month period and did not require medication. Since then, the patient reports minor recurrences when she ingests high nickel containing foods.

Case 2: The patient presented in our office at 2 years of age with chronic runny nose and 8 ear infections within a period of 6 months. He was treated with antibiotics for each of the ear infections. These provided only temporary relief. The symptoms returned within 5 days after the last dose of antibiotics.
ART testing revealed sensitivity to nickel and deficiency of GLA. The patient’s mother was given careful instructions on a low nickel diet and borage oil supplementation. Four weeks after the initial visit, the patient’s ears were 100% improved and allergy symptoms were 90% improved with some mild, sporadic nasal congestion. The patient returned to the office for follow up three years after the initial visit for allergy symptoms which were first noticed after one and a half asymptomatic years. At that time, the patient’s mother reported patient had no ear infections after initial visit. At follow up, ART testing revealed an issue with airborne allergies, nickel and the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination (MMR). He was treated with a modified LDI for airborne allergens and MMR; LipoPhos® EDTA; cilantro and Nogier low level laser auricular therapy. The allergy symptoms were 90% improved after that single visit. The patient is now seen in the office annually for checkup and management of mild seasonal allergies. He has had no recurrence of ear infections.
Case 3: Eight-year-old girl presented at our clinic with history of asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and history of multiple ear infections[
18]. The eczema rash at times was raw, bleeding, and with extreme itching. The asthma symptoms began approximately four years before the patient presented at our clinic. Her history included ear infections needing tube placement in ears four times and a metal dental cap that preceded asthma symptoms by 4-5 months.
Previous medical care included an allergist, ENT specialist, dentist, and homeopath. Previous treatments included oral steroids, an inhaler, topical steroid creams, homeopathic drops, and tube placement in ears on four occasions.
She was seen at our clinic four times in her first year as a patient. ART was used at each visit and revealed the following issues: nickel, dental cap, parasites, and airborne allergies. Treatments included Nogier low level laser auricular therapy, albendazole, tinidazole, GLA in the form of borage oil, and vitamin D with K2. The patient’s mother was carefully instructed on a low nickel diet. The metal dental cap (which contained a small amount of nickel) was removed after the first visit. This resulted in a cessation of wheezing and eczema within three weeks.
The patient had infrequent follow-ups for minor conditions over the next three years. She then returned after an exercise induced asthma flare. ART was used at each visit and revealed issues with airborne allergies and nickel. She was treated with modified LDI for airborne allergies, LipoPhos® EDTA, GLA in the form of borage oil, and body acupuncture. She has had infrequent follow-up visits over the past four years for minor complaints and has had no asthma recurrence over the past four years.
Case 4: Nine-week-old boy who developed reflux, constipation and irritability at 2-3 weeks of age. He stopped eating and lost weight. His pediatrician diagnosed him with a milk protein allergy. The pediatrician treated him with famotidine and a formula change to the amino acid formula Elecare™ with no relief of symptoms.
ART testing was performed at each visit and indicated an abnormal response to the following: nickel, cow’s milk, baby formula Similac® Alimentum, yeast and aluminum. The patient was treated with modified LDI for baby formula. His reflux, constipation and irritability symptoms improved 75% after first visit and 100% after three visits (two and a half months from first visit). He returned for follow up three and a half years after the initial visit with nasal congestion. ART testing indicated an abnormal response to nickel, and airborne allergies. He was treated with modified LDI for airborne allergens, Nogier low level laser auricular therapy, vitamin D, and LipoPhos® EDTA. Allergy symptoms improved after treatment. Patient visits office annually for treatment of mild allergy symptoms
Case 5: Thirteen-year-old boy with a two-year history of dry, scaly rash on his face and chronic heartburn. Previous medical care included primary care physician, orthodontist for braces, dermatologist, and allergist. The patient had allergy testing. Prior treatments included citirizine, clocortolone and crisaborole.
ART testing, performed at each visit, indicated issues with nickel, dental braces, H. Pylori, and GLA. Treatments included GLA, LipoPhos® EDTA, low nickel diet, body acupuncture and modified LDI for nickel and H. Pylori. Heartburn was 100% improved after his initial visit, the rash was 75% improved with braces in place. When the braces were removed, the rash and itch temporarily worsened. The rash was 100% improved 14 months after the initial visit, two months after braces were removed.