During your practical examination for ICAK Diplomate status, you will be asked to demonstrate various A.K. procedures on a model or an examiner.
The examiners will look at how you perform the procedures as much as what you say about them. We are looking for how you can think with the A.K. material and integrate it into the evaluation of a patient, as well as your ability to explain A.K.
The exam will be video taped, so that it can be reviewed in future if there is a descrepency to be viewed.
These are examples of the topics which are covered. Each candidate is asked a selection of questions from these and similar topics, but the exam need not be limited to these topics. These are general examples, which we hope will help you to prepare. We wish you every success.
PAPER DEFENSE:
Please be prepared to present and answer questions on one of your A.K. papers. The examiners will choose the paper. This is a significant portion of your score. Please consult the IBE paper guidelines before submitting your paper.
A paper for the Diplomate exam should have a single author unless it is an academic, published paper or in press with a peer-reviewed journal, in which case multiple authors are allowed.Only one candidate may use such a paper for his/her paper defense for the IBE Exam.
Each time a candidate retakes the practical exam, a different paper should be defended. A previously defended paper is allowed only if significant revisions have been made addressing deficiencies identified in the prior defense of the paper.
1. KEY CONCEPTS IN AK
a. You will be asked to explain a basic concept in AK and address points of controversy and the level of certainty and research we have about this concept.
Examples: Manual muscle testing compared to other methods of muscle evaluation
Organ-muscle relationship,
Challenge and its variations,
Nutrient or adverse reaction to substances testing,
etc.
b. Candidates should be comfortable with and able to distinguish intelligently between approved and experimental aspects of A.K. and should know the source for procedures used.
c. Be familiar with ICAK Status Statement
d. Make no unsupportable or dangerous claims for A.K.
2. MUSCLE TESTING:
a. Accurate positioning of muscle tests, pressure, stabilization, timing, etc.
b. Knows muscles, locations, tests, actions, basic postural effects
c. Has facility with various testing sequences - for instance all the fixation muscles, muscles of the hip, shoulder, etc.
d. Is familiar with variations of muscle tests and if using one that is not Kendall & Kendall, knows source and significance of any variation.
e. Knows organ, nutrient, and conditions associated with muscles.
f. Is familiar with different techniques for evaluating and correcting local muscle dysfunction -
e.g. Fascial release, aerobic-anaerobic testing, reactive muscles, strain-counterstrain, trigger points, various reflex procedues, proprioceptors, etc.
g. Understands the nature of the "weak" (non-intact) muscle in A.K. versus lack of muscle bulk, has a grasp of current neurological theories of the A.K. phenomenon, and can explain it clearly.
3. CRANIAL / TMJ:
a. Knows standard A.K. cranial faults and can accurately analyze and correct them. Knows the respiratory patterns associated with the faults. Precise challenging and vectors.
b. Knows conditions which correlate with cranials.
c. Recognizes situations which call for cranial analysis
d. Can intelligently discuss differences in various models of cranial technique.
e. TMJ and hyoid evaluation and treatment within the scope of the profession of the candidate. When referral is appropriate.
4. ACUPUNCTURE:
a. Knows general meridian anatomy.
b. Knows how to do pulse diagnosis and how to distinguish excess from deficient meridian.
c. Can apply the following according to approved A.K. procedures.
1. 24 hour cycle
2. 5 Elements Law
3. Tonification/Sedation points and 4-point patterns
4. Beginning & End Technique
5. Now & Then Technique
d. Knows location and application of:
1. Alarm points
2. Luo points (may use chart)
3. Tonification points (may use chart)
4. Associated points (may use chart)
e. Can think through an acupuncture analysis, and recognize a situation which calls for acupuncture.
5. ORTHOPEDICS:
a. Should have a smooth, integrated approach to a common patient situation presented by the examiners, showing an ability to evaluate it using A.K. and standard diagnostic criteria. This should include thinking of other A.K. correlations with conditions - visceral problems, nutrition, cranial, postural, etc. For example:
1. Whiplash
2. Bursitis
3. Knee or foot problem
4. Headaches
5. Torticollis
6. Shoulder, wrist, elbow or hand problem
b. Knows full A.K. procedure for whichever asked, eg.:
1. Pelvic Category 1
2. Pelvic Category 2
3. Disc Procedure
4. Fixations
5. Iliolumbar Ligament procedure
6. Ligament Interlink
7. Shock-Absorber evaluation and its significance
8. Sacral Wobble
9. C1-Occiput countertorque
10. “Walking Gait”
11. P.L.U.S. pattern
c. Understands challenge mechanisms and corrections for…
1. vertebrae
2. extremities
3. cranials
4. intraosseous subluxations
5. respiratory corrections
6. fixations
7. dural torque / coccyx lift, etc.
d. Is aware of methods for finding hidden problems, for example, use of
1. Eyes into Distortion
2. Body into Distortion
3. Weight-bearing evaluations
6. SWITCHING / CENTERING
a. Should be aware of the indications to evaluate for switching and have an integrated, smooth approach to evaluating the patient for these conditions, eg:
1. K 27 and variations
2. Cv-Gv switching
3. Cross Crawl
4. Ocular Lock
5. R/L Brain phenomena
6. Cloacals
7. Gaits
8. PRYT
9. Heel lifts and their effects on switching
7. VISCERAL:
a. Recognize the indications of visceral conditions commonly taught in A.K. and have an integrated approach to evaluation and treatment, including standard diagnostic criteria where appropriate. For example:
1. Hiatal Hernia and Respiratory Diaphragm
2. Ileocecal Valve, sigmoid lift/”valves of Houston”
3. Adrenal Stress Disorder
4. Glucose Metabolism - hypoglycemia, dysinsulinism, diabetes, “Syndrome X”
5. Digestive Disorders
6. Immune System problems
7. Headaches
8. Allergies
9. Special sense problems
10. Nutritional deficiencies
11. Visceroptosis
12. Anterograde / Retrograde Lymphatic procedures, Right Lymphatic Duct procedure
13. Pineal / Circadian Rhythm problems
14. Skin / Scar treatment
15. Emotional Neurovasculars (“ESRs”)
Revised 6/2014