subject: What Does an EMG Analysis Show? [print this page] What Does an EMG Analysis Show? What Does an EMG Analysis Show?
An EMG analysis provides information on the electrical activity of a muscle. This in turn can help a doctor determine if there is a problem with muscle function. The machine that measures this activity of a muscle is known as an electromyograph or EMG. The medical procedure in which an electromyograph is used is known as an electromyogram.
When a muscle is not performing properly, this can be seen this activity. Decreased electrical activity or the evidence of none at all is an indication of a problem within the muscle. The EMG analysis is obtained from the "reading" of the electromyogram that was performed. The information is transmitted in a form that appears as a graphic image (like a bar graph or pie chart.) The differences between what is considered normal and what the EMG is showing can be calculated by comparing normal electrical activity with that that is being read by the machine.
TheEMG analysis will show how much is actually being generated by the muscle. Based on this information, the doctor can tell how severe the problem might be and take the needed action to correct the situation. When the EMG analysis indicates that there is a problem, the doctor can then decide what else needs to be done. This can include finding out what caused the problem as well as deciding on the right course of treatment for the specific problem.
When a muscle is not performing properly, this can be seen this activity. Decreased electrical activity or the evidence of none at all is an indication of a problem within the muscle. The EMG analysis is obtained from the "reading" of the electromyogram that was performed.
