Hands-On PT: EMG Testing Back & Neck Pain

Newsletter by Hands-On Physical Therapy

N E W S L E T T E R

GOT BACK OR NECK PAIN? HERE’S HOW EMG TESTING CAN HELP

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N E W S L E T T E R

GOT BACK OR NECK PAIN? HERE’S HOW EMG TESTING CAN HELP

Dealing with back or neck pain is extremely frustrating, especially when you’re not sure how your problem even developed! These types of pain conditions can hinder your ability to move in the ways you normally do and can progressively worsen over time. Physical therapy is one option that offers many different solutions to finding the source of your pain, alleviating it, and preventing future injuries. INSIDE : • How Can EMGs Help with Back & Neck Pain? • SSEP/VEP/BAER TESTS

• Patient Success Spotlight • Healthy Recipe

What Is EMG Testing? Oftentimes when we experience localized pain, we think that the area we feel the pain is also the main source of our problem. This isn’t always the case! Sometimes a physical therapist must use diagnostic tests to take a deeper dive into the problem.

An EMG is a diagnostic test that can analyze muscle health and their corresponding nerve cells. This test measures the electrical activity of muscles, both at rest and during contraction. Nerve and muscle disorders cause the muscles to react in abnormal ways. Electromyograms can help determine if you have muscle or nerve dysfunction, as well as other issues regarding the signal transmission between your muscles and nerves.

A recent study published at the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, showed that in 60.61% of the patients who received an EMG test, the provider had to change the patient management as a result of the data obtained by the EMG test. This could lead to better patient outcomes. Patients who received EMG testing reported a 92% satisfaction and perceived value from the EMG testing.

At Hands-On Physical Therapy, we perform diagnostic tests to pinpoint a patient’s exact pain point. When a patient arrives at our clinic and their source of pain is unknown, diagnostic testing can help us discover where their pain is originating and what the best course of action for their needs will be. Diagnostic tests such as electromyograms (EMG) allow us to diagnose a patient so

we can better cater to their needs and create a treatment plan that will help them recover as smoothly as possible. If you are living with pain or discomfort and you’re not sure where the source of your pain lies, diagnostic testing may benefit you. Contact Hands-On Physical Therapy today to schedule a consultation and learn more about our services.

During an EMG, a very small pin is inserted into the affected muscle to test its condition and look for any nerve or muscle disorders. The results of an EMG test can be an invaluable tool to determine various conditions that can affect your nerves and muscles, which will help them manage your care more effectively.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION TODAY GET RID OF YOUR NAGGING PAIN!

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SSEP/VEP/BAER TESTS

There aremany different conditions that an EMG can help, includingmuscle inflammation, ALS, and disc herniation. EMG’s detect abnormal electrical activity and muscle function, so if you’re experiencing pain in your neck, one of these tests would determine the exact reason why. During your appointment, your physical therapist will insert fine needles through your skin into a muscle to measure the speed of nerve conduction. This will determine whether those nerves are functioning normally. According to Spine-Health, “After three weeks of pressure on a nerve root, the muscle the nerve goes to will begin to spontaneously contract. Compression of a nerve will also slow electrical conduction along that nerve. EMG’s are useful to distinguish nerve degeneration (neuropathy) from nerve root compression (radiculopathy).” EMG’s and Physical Therapy Treatment. If you are experiencing neck and back pain, an EMG will be able to assess whether or not your condition is directly related to a pinched nerve. When performed on the affected area in your neck or back, the test can provide valuable information that will assist your physical therapist in creating themost beneficial treatment plan for you. Once the source of your pain is discovered, one of our physical therapists here at Hands-On Physical Therapy will work one on one with you to teach you targeted stretches and exercises to help alleviate your pain. Our ultimate goal is to speed up your recovery and teach you new ways to avoid dealing with the same neck or back pain condition again in the future. Your personalized physical therapy plan will include exercises that you can do at home and during your therapy session. Contact Our Office to Find the Source of Your Pain. EMG tests are safe, non-invasive, and reliable for diagnosing the cause of your pain or discomfort. If you’re dealing with neck or back pain and have noticed symptoms without being able to pinpoint their source, Hands-On Physical Therapy’s diagnostic tests can get to the root of your pain so it can be treated accordingly. Don’t hesitate to contact Hands-On Physical Therapy today to learn more about what our diagnostic tests can do for you and get started on the first steps toward relief! HOW CAN EMGS HELP WITH BACK & NECK PAIN?

SSEP Tests SSEP stands for Somato-Sensory Evoked Potentials.

SSEP tests evaluate the nerve pathway from the peripheral nerve through the spine to the somatosensory region of the brain. (“Somato” means body; “sensory” means the reception and transmission of sense impressions.) SSEP tests are useful in evaluating spinal cord injuries or disease, neuromuscular disease, and demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis and others. SSEP test is a simple test and it involves a series of small stimuli in the median and/or tibial nerves and a recording of the response as it reaches the brain.

VEP Tests VEP stands for Visual Evoked Potentials.

VEP test checks the nerves that go from the eye to the visual cortex. The VEP eye test is used to identify impaired transmission along the optic nerve pathways. VEP eye test is a very simple test and it involves a series of visual stimuli via a television monitor and a recording of the response as it reaches the brain.

BAER Tests BAER stands for Brainstem Auditory Evoked Responses.

BAER tests ckeck the ear and the brain for auditory and brainstemdisorders. BAER test is a very simple test and it involves a series of sounds that are heard via a set of headphones and a recording of the response as it reaches the brain.

For more information, contact us today.

Source: Spine Health

CALL US TODAY IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING PAIN (718) 626-2699

Patient Success Spotlight

Who Do You Know That Needs Our Help?

Do You Have Friends Or Family That Can’t:

� Move without pain � Bend and move freely � Balance confidently & securely

� Sit for long periods � Walk for long distances � Live active and healthy

Name: Refered by:

Call to schedule.

32-44 31st Street • Astoria, NY 11106 Tel: (718) 626-2699 • Fax: (718) 626-0923

“Clean environment and very friendly!” “This is my third time coming and I’m absolutely pleased with their service! The staff at Hands on Physical therapy are great! Clean environment and very friendly! Thank you to Samantha who always so helpful and amazing with service.” - M.V.

WE’RE STAYING CLEAN! CORONA VIRUS SAFETY The staff at Hands-On Physical Therapy is focused on keeping you healthy and our equipment and facilities clean.

Healthy Recipe: Bananas Foster Parfaits

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, we want to also encourage our patients to help prevent the spread of coronavirus by:

INGREDIENTS • 2 large ripe bananas • 6 Tbsp dark brown sugar • 2 Tbsp unsweetened apple juice

• 1 Tbsp unsalted butter • 1/4 tsp salt • 2 cups plain 2% reduced-fat Greek yogurt • 1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted

CLEANING HANDS OFTEN

AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE WITH UNWASHED HANDS

STAYING HOME IF YOU ARE SICK

INSTRUCTIONS Peel bananas and cut each in half lengthwise. Cut each half into 3 pieces. Combine sugar, apple juice, and butter in a nonstick skillet. Cook over medium- low heat for 3 minutes or until mixture begins to bubble. Add bananas to pan; cook for 2 minutes or until bananas begin to soften. Spoon 1/2 cup yogurt into the bottom of each of 4 parfait glasses. Divide banana mixture evenly among glasses. Top each serving with 1 tablespoon chopped and toasted pecans.

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