Seminars

SEMG Sequence Assessments and SEMG Feedback
A Practical Approach to Clinical Kinesiologic SEMG

Workshop Overview

Physical medicine practitioners routinely assess muscle activity while working with patients that suffer from pain and musculoskeletal dysfunction. Surface electromyography (SEMG) is the recording of a sum of muscle action potentials from the skin's surface, used as an indicator of muscle recruitment levels. Both the magnitude and timing pattern of muscle activity can be displayed on a screen along with the activity of certain muscle groups in relation to others.

Muscle activity can be objectified, quantified and documented during standard examination procedures while the patient is performing functional tasks. The efficacy of particular exercises and instruction in corrective movement patterns can also be assessed.

SEMG makes for a rich source of motor-learning information for patients. This feedback helps patients learn to relax overly tense muscles, activate weak muscles or change the coordination pattern of agonistic, antagonistic and synergistic muscles.

Type of instructional method: Lecture, Demonstration and Hands-on Laboratory Experience

Level of instruction: Intermediate Level

Learning Objectives: This course will familiarize the participant with SEMG foundations as well as specific assessment procedures and interventions based on Biomechanical and Physical Therapy perspectives. Demonstrate understanding of the physiologic basis of SEMG and limitations of SEMG recording techniques. Learn and demonstrate basic SEMG recording and feedback techniques applied to therapeutic exercise. The program includes lecture, demonstration and hands-on laboratory experience. The emphasis is on practical skills and clinical decision-making with SEMG. No prior experience with SEMG is required.