Perform specific examination procedures with sEMG for patients with musculoskeletal dysfunction. Integrate sEMG methods with other forms of therapy and patient education. Document examination findings and the results of treatment. Workshop Description Physical medicine practitioners routinely assess muscle activity while working with patients with pain and musculoskeletal dysfunction. Both the magnitude and timing pattern of muscle activity can be displayed, along with the activity of certain muscle groups in relation to others.
Recording is non-invasive and painless.
Clinicians incorporate sEMG information to take much of the guesswork out of assessing muscle function. Muscle activity can be objectified, quantified, and documented during standard examination procedures as well as the performance of functional tasks. The efficacy of particular exercises and instruction in corrective movement patterns can also be assessed. In addition, the sEMG display makes for a rich source of motor learning information for patients. Using sEMG cues, patients gain access to muscle feedback that is far more sensitive than that obtained with the intrinsic sense acting alone.