Kinesiologist: Applied Kinesiology, What Kinesiologists Do?

Two very different professions share the name 'kinesiologist' — one works in exercise science and rehabilitation, the other reads muscle strength as a signal of imbalance. Same word, two worlds. This article tells them apart — and shows how both differ from chiropractic care.

What is a kinesiologist?

A kinesiologist is a professional who works with human movement — and the word has two very different meanings. In Canada and the United States, a kinesiologist is a movement-science professional: someone who studies and applies the science of human movement in physical activity, adapted physical activity, rehabilitation, exercise science and sports performance. In complementary healthcare, the word is also used for a practitioner of applied kinesiology — the muscle-testing technique developed by chiropractor George Goodheart in the 1960s. The two are not the same profession, and neither is the same as a chiropractor.

Kinesiologists vs chiropractors: what's the difference?

A chiropractor is a regulated healthcare professional who examines and treats the musculoskeletal system — the spine, muscles and joints and the nervous system — with a physical examination, a treatment plan and targeted adjustments. A kinesiologist is either a movement-science professional (an exercise scientist, trainer or rehabilitation specialist) or, in the holistic tradition, a muscle-testing practitioner. Chiropractic is regulated clinical care; kinesiology — in both its meanings — is not a regulated medical profession. The evidence base differs too: chiropractic care for back and neck pain is supported by clinical research — a 2026 Cochrane review found spinal manipulative therapy can improve pain and function in chronic low back pain, and Cochrane evidence supports spinal manipulation for neck pain — while a 2025 systematic review found the challenged muscle testing used in applied kinesiology diagnosis lacks established reliability. That is why a kinesiologist is not the same as a chiropractor, and why the two professions are not interchangeable when you have a physical complaint.

Where kinesiologists work: physical activity and exercise science

Many graduates take a kinesiology degree into education — physical education teaching is one of the most common paths — or use it as a foundation for medicine or another clinical degree. From there the field fans out: movement-science kinesiologists work in physical activity, adapted physical activity, rehabilitation, ergonomics, sports medicine and community health centers. They develop and implement exercise programs that promote physical health, muscle strength, balance and physical function — for athletes, older adults and people recovering from injury. In practice, kinesiologists work alongside sports coaches, physical education programs, personal trainers and health and wellness teams, often in multidisciplinary settings. Some specialize in injury prevention, strength and conditioning, or athletic performance for sports and health. The profession is represented in Canada by bodies such as the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance, and in some provinces a registered kinesiologist is a recognized health professional.

What is applied kinesiology?

Applied kinesiology is a form of therapy within complementary healthcare. A practitioner applies gentle pressure to a muscle to test its strength and look for imbalances in muscles and joints related to organs, energy or stress, drawing on ideas from traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. It developed in the 1960s and is used by some chiropractors and therapists — not as conventional medical treatment, but as an alternative technique. Its reliability as a diagnostic method is not supported by scientific evidence. Applied kinesiology is not the same as the academic study of kinesiology, and it is not used to treat serious medical conditions in place of evidence-based care.

Kinesiology degrees and career paths

A kinesiology degree is an academic degree in movement science — anatomy, biomechanics, physiology and rehabilitation. Students typically earn a bachelor's degree or a bachelor of science before entering the profession, and many continue with graduate study. A degree in kinesiology opens many career paths — education and teaching, medicine and other clinical degrees, personal training, strength and conditioning, sports coaching, occupational therapy, physical therapy, ergonomics and health promotion. Graduates with a biomechanics focus are also recruited into industry: colleagues of mine went into product and footwear development at companies like Nike. They work with individuals and groups to improve the health and well-being of people of all ages, from youth sports to rehabilitation of injuries. It is a science degree, not a clinical healthcare qualification in the way chiropractic or physiotherapy is — that difference matters when you are choosing a care provider.

I know all three first-hand: I studied applied kinesiology, earned a Canadian BSc in Kinesiology, and then completed the eight-year chiropractic program. That is why I can lay this distinction out calmly — without dismissing one approach or overstating the other.

Which one do you need?

If you have a physical complaint, start with a medical assessment — from your GP or a regulated clinician such as a chiropractor — before any complementary therapy. A kinesiologist can help with fitness, recovery and prevention goals; a chiropractor assesses and treats musculoskeletal complaints, and a multidisciplinary approach with both can help you move more comfortably again. At Embody Health we practice chiropractic — the care we offer — and the training behind it spans applied kinesiology and movement science too. Curious how that shows up in day-to-day care? We are happy to talk it through — your questions are welcome during a first visit. If it sounds worth a visit, come on in — you don't need to go through your GP or anyone else first. We'll look at your complaints together and work out the best approach, exactly as described in this article. The intake costs €39.