I actually make a further distinction...muscle testing, pendulum testing and dowsing (which can be done in several ways-sometimes with dowsing rods and sometimes with the body.)
Muscle testing has been more "science" behind it. Most people just have a preference though. From what I know and have heard from various practitioners they feel that muscle testing is more unbiased and engages the patients individual response without filtering through an additional person. It also can't really be influenced...either your muscles engage and become stronger or they don't. Yes, there is a variance in how sensitive people are and how well they read responses, but in general the patient can feel the response before they are told and that helps them (I think) to understand.
I watched a muscle testing session that was determining whether or not someone was allergic to their beloved rabbit. She was a doctor being tested by another doctor. She was totally unable to withstand any pressure on her arm every time they tested for the rabbit. Other things, no problem. Every time the rabbit was tested she went limp and you could SEE her trying desperately trying to resist. Made a believer out of me.
I don't think it works 100% of the time, but I think it can be a valuable tool at times.
