EMG Biofeedback

Electromyography (EMG) is a technique for evaluating and recording the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles.^[1] EMG is performed using an instrument called an electromyograph, to produce a record called an electromyogram. An electromyograph detects the electrical potential generated by muscle cells^[2] when these cells are electrically or neurologically activated.

There are two kinds of EMG in widespread use: surface EMG and intramuscular (needle and fine-wire) EMG. To perform intramuscular EMG, a needle electrode or a needle containing two fine-wire electrodes is inserted through the skin into the muscle tissue.

We use surface EMG at Dublin Physiotherapy Clinic  primarily as a form of Biofeedback – a way to give people information about activity levels in muscles. In some cases muscles become inhibited (switched-off) and various tricks of the trade are required to reactivate. The electrical activity in muscle can be converted into a bleeping sound of light indicator which helps improve muscle contraction.

Alternatively, some muscle scan become chronically hyperactive and need to be switched off  or at least turned down.EMG is a useful tool in assisting with this type of retraining.

We do not use EMG diagnostically as this is a different area of specialisation either involving a Neurologist or clinical neurophysiologist. This type of investigation is used to make a diagnosis of damaged nerve or neurological disease.