How to Use sEMG in the Practice of a Physical Therapist

Muscle biofeedback is a useful evidence based teaching and treatment approach for physical/remedial therapists. It can show unnecessary covert muscles co-contractions and the muscles staying tense after performing a task and not relaxing. The physiological monitoring can identify low level muscle activity which is not recognized by either the client or the therapist. SEMG allows the invisible muscle tension to become visible and is illustrated thought a case study of a client who sought treatment because of neck/shoulder pain. Her pain started when she became employed in a vegetable store and continued to increase to the point that she was afraid that she would have to stop working. During the assessment sessions the trapezius and deltoid SEMG were recorded while she role played her job task which consisted of picking up apples from a crate, putting them in a paper bag, turning around and placing the paper bag on a scale. The sEMG showed increased shoulder tension, which did not return to baseline, there baseline was also an absence of regenerative SEMG gaps. The client was then trained to change her posture and position of her arms. After the repetition of the movements several times in the new way, she repeated the role play. The SEMG showed significant decrease and relaxation in between the different tasks. After actually working in this posture with reduced dysponesis, the client reported a significant decrease in headache and less exhaustion after a day's work. At the one year follow up, she reported a significant decrease in her neck/shoulder complaints and was able to continue her job without neck and shoulder problems. In summary, sEMG augments the behavioural interventions because it allows the invisible muscle tension to become visible and helps develop internal awareness. The sEMG provided immediate feedback which enhanced motivation and allowed the client to talk to her supervisor to request ergonomic changes that allowed her to work more efficiently.