Autonomic Response Testing (ART) is a biofeedback enhanced physical exam that uses changes in muscle tone to assess when the body goes into stress (sympathetic mode), relaxation (parasympathetic mode), or exhibits a neutral/no-change response. It was developed by Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, MD, PhD and Louisa Williams, DC, ND and is a more advanced form of applied kinesiology or muscle testing.

ART allows for the assessment of the body through the Autonomic (aka automatic) Nervous System (ANS) which is in direct contact with every cell, tissue, muscle, organ, and system in the body. ART provides information beyond conventional western lab tests and gives clues about the health state of various organs and systems in the body that may be struggling prior to any pathology or disease process showing up on lab work. 

ART can assist with finding dysfunction and blockages, root causes of illness, determine the priority order for effective treatment, and helps identify the best treatments options for each individual patient.

1. Dysfunctions and blockages: which organ systems are stressed

2. Root causes of illness: what is stressing the organ systems, toxins, toxicants, “pathogens” (parasites, bacteria, viruses, fungi), metals, pesticides, emotions, trauma, electromagnetic fields (EMFs), etc

3. Priority order for effective treatment: since healing happens in layers ART helps with figuring out which layers (issues) are coming up in the moment and where to start first

4. Best treatments options for each individual patient: which supplements, herbs, homeopathics, psychoemotional work, referrals for dental work, scar treatments, IV therapy etc will be most helpful for the patient

ART can be done in-person or remotely (at a distance). In-person ART sessions can be done via direct testing where the practitioner uses the patient’s arm to see changes in muscle tone or indirect testing where there is a surrogate and the practitioner uses the surrogate’s arm to see changes in muscle tone. The surrogate can be another person or the practitioner himself or herself.

ART can be done from anywhere in the world.

During remote ART sessions the practitioner is able to tap into the patient’s biofield (there are various ways to do this; one way is to use the frequency of the patient’s voice) and proceeds to do indirect (see above) ART testing. We radiate energy from our bodies and just as energy from radio waves travels over distances so can the energy emitted from our bodies. Dr. Irina learned remote / distance ART in 2016 and has incorporated it in her practice since then. She finds remote ART to be just as accurate and effective as in-person ART. Remote ART sessions provide the convenience of being able to do ART from anywhere in the world.

ART is done alongside clinical thinking, lab work, and imaging studies. Basic labs are helpful in ruling out any major red flag problems and for tracking purposes. ART is helpful in figuring out the missing puzzle pieces of chronic illness when someone has done “all” the labs and “all” the treatments and is still not feeling well. It helps determine why lab values may be off or if labs look normal but the person has symptoms ART helps determine hidden root causes of illness. ART is helpful at “picking up” disturbances in the energy field prior to symptoms manifesting in the physical body and in this way is a great tool to use as part of preventative medicine. ART is not a treatment tool. It is a diagnostic technique and is only done in the context of a full consultation. 

It takes several seminars to learn how to perform ART. You do not need to understand how the process works in order to be tested, however you must be open to ART if you make the decision to become a patient. If you are interested in learning more about ART you can take classes through the Klinghardt Institute (Dr. Klinghardt formerly taught through the Klinghardt Academy which is when Dr. Irina received her training and certification in ART. She also worked directly with Dr. Klinghardt and received ART training during that time at Sophia Health Institute).

Autonomic Response Testing Training and Education:

Autonomic Response Testing I & II - Klinghardt Academy - May 5-6, 2012

Autonomic Response Testing I – Klinghardt Academy – June 3, 2016

Autonomic Response Testing II – Klinghardt Academy - June 4-5, 2016

Autonomic Response Testing III - Klinghardt Academy - June 24-26, 2016

Autonomic Response Testing III – Klinghardt Academy – September 22-24, 2017

Autonomic Response Testing Certification - written and practical exam - Klinghardt Academy - December 3, 2017

Autonomic Response Testing III – Klinghardt Academy – September 21-23, 2018