What does an EMG measure?
EMG or electromyography or electromyogram is a measure of the electric activity in a muscle. Electrodes are placed on the skin or needles put directly into the muscles. These record the sound and pattern of electric activity. EMG activity shows the condition of the muscles. This test tells if there is more or less activity than normal … or even sudden activity when the muscles aren’t contracting. EMG findings are grouped as either mild, moderate, or severe. For example, one record of sudden activity in one or more muscles is mild. Moderate is two or three sudden spurts of electrical activity in two or more muscles that aren’t moving. Other changes will also be seen in these patterns. Findings of severe EMG activity mean too much electrical activity in two or more muscles. Thanks to today’s modern technology, EMG studies are much improved now. It’s possible for an EMG unit (the size of a modern desktop or laptop computer) to study many muscles at the same time. Information from EMG about muscle function is fast and accurate. It can also be used as a biofeedback tool. This means that a patient who can’t contract (or relax) a muscle can see and hear what is the muscle activity and try to change it.
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