Touch For Health
Touch For Health (TFH) is a practical system of kinesiology that combines gentle muscle monitoring with principles drawn from Traditional Chinese Medicine. It was developed by chiropractor Dr John F. Thie, who adapted techniques from Applied Kinesiology so they could be learned and used by everyday people, not just health professionals.
First published in 1973, Touch For Health became the foundation for many of the kinesiology modalities that followed. Today it is taught internationally and remains the starting point for most people learning kinesiology.
The Touch For Health approach
Touch For Health brings together Western knowledge of muscles and posture with the Eastern concept of energy flowing through the body’s meridians. Each of the 14 meridians is associated with specific muscles, and the way a muscle responds to gentle testing is used as feedback about the balance of energy in the body.
Dr Thie’s vision was to put simple, safe self-care skills into the hands of individuals and families. Touch For Health is described as a wellness and self-development approach — it does not diagnose or treat medical conditions, and works alongside other forms of health care.
How does a balance work?
A Touch For Health session usually begins with a goal, something the person would like to change or feel more of. The facilitator then gently monitors a series of muscles, noting any imbalances.
Each muscle that needs attention is supported using simple, non-invasive techniques such as massaging reflex points, lightly holding points on the head, tracing meridians, or holding acupressure points. The muscles are then re-checked and the person reflects on how they feel in relation to their goal.
Sessions are typically relaxing, fully clothed, and centred on the person’s own experience.
Touch For Health may support people to:
Feel more balanced, energised, and at ease
Manage everyday stress and tension
Improve posture, movement, and physical comfort
Set and work towards meaningful personal goals
Take an active role in their own health and wellbeing
The key elements of Touch For Health
The Touch For Health system brings together a number of core ideas and tools, explained in detail in Touch For Health – The Complete Edition.
Muscle Monitoring
Gentle muscle testing is used as a feedback tool, showing where the body may be under stress or out of balance.
The 14 Meridians
Each of the 14 meridians of Traditional Chinese Medicine is linked to specific muscles, forming a map for balancing energy.
Balancing Techniques
Simple tools such as reflex points, holding points, meridian tracing, and acupressure points are used to restore balance.
Five Elements & Metaphors
The Five Element model and meridian metaphors help connect physical balance with emotions, attitudes, and goals.
Where Equilibrium began: Touch For Health is part of our own story. When Equilibrium was founded in 1984, the business began by importing and publishing Touch For Health materials for the growing Australian kinesiology community. Read our history.
Who is Touch For Health for?
Touch For Health was designed to be accessible to anyone. It is usually taught in a series of hands-on courses, starting with an introductory level that requires no previous experience.
Individuals & Families
Simple self-care and family balancing skills that can be used at home with partners, children, and friends.
Kinesiology Students
The foundation course for most kinesiology training, introducing muscle monitoring, meridians, and balancing.
Practitioners & Therapists
Massage therapists, natural health practitioners, and other professionals who want to add kinesiology to their work.
Anyone Curious
People interested in a gentle, empowering approach to wellbeing and learning more about how body and energy connect.
The founders
Dr John F. Thie, DC
A chiropractor and early colleague of Applied Kinesiology founder Dr George Goodheart, John Thie believed that people could learn to look after their own wellbeing. He wrote the original Touch For Health book in 1973 and spent the rest of his life teaching the system around the world, helping kinesiology grow into a worldwide field.
Matthew Thie, M.Ed
John’s son Matthew co-authored Touch For Health – The Complete Edition, updating the original text for a new generation of students and practitioners. He has continued his father’s work, teaching and supporting Touch For Health instructors internationally.
Popular Touch For Health resources
Explore the full Touch For Health range
Books, manuals, charts, and reference folios for students, practitioners, and instructors.