There are many ways to gain insight into your health and wellness — fitness tests, bloodwork, and biometric apps are just a few examples. Few tools are as insightful as an electromyogram, though. An EMG test is used in a variety of healthcare applications to measure the electrical activity produced within muscles while a person is at rest and when a person is in motion. These electrical signals are triggered by nerve movement, so an EMG test is an effective way to measure the functionality of a muscle.
Better Understanding of Your Condition
One of the most common applications of an EMG test is for diagnostic purposes in a physical therapy context. Physical therapists work to help people minimize pain and overcome injuries, and this task often requires the treatment of specific muscle groups within the body. In order to identify which muscles require treatment — and measure the results of treatment — an EMG test may be used in conjunction with other diagnostic methods.
When you attend physical therapy in Round Rock, your practitioner may conduct an EMG test in order to help you better understand your condition. In order to perform the test, a needle with an electrode will be inserted into the muscle in question. The electrode component will then measure how much electrical activity is present in the muscle. This information helps a physical therapist understand whether a nerve is damaged or whether a muscle is working properly.
Although it might sound scary to have a needle inserted into your muscle, many patients report that it isn’t any more painful than getting a shot or having blood drawn — and the discomfort is worth the potential pain relief that an EMG test can facilitate. An EMG test will reveal what parts of your body need treatment so that you can focus on rebuilding your strength in the affected areas.
Effective Physical Therapy Treatment
An EMG test is just one resource in a physical therapist’s treatment toolbox. EMG physical therapy can also involve modalities such as acupuncture, nerve stimulation, aerobics, and aquatic therapy. All of these treatment methods can help you address pain associated with conditions such as sciatica, muscle strains, carpal tunnel, or muscular dystrophy. Based on the results of your EMG, your physical therapist will devise a treatment plan that focuses on helping you heal.
Some physical therapists even use equipment such as an anti gravity treadmill — if you’re looking for an anti gravity treadmill near me, you can find a facility that offers an array of therapeutic equipment in conjunction with customized physical therapy treatments. Anti gravity treadmills are beneficial because they allow users to build muscle strength while minimizing the impact and strain that would typically be present while exercising.
No matter what kind of ailment or injury you’ve endured, physical therapy can be the solution to your suffering. With help from a professional practitioner, you’ll be able to identify the root of the problem and invest in an effective recovery regimen.