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 arent 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 arent 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 todays modern technology, EMG studies are much improved now. Its 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 musc
