EMG Analysis

EMG Analysis

Another assessment tool that we use is called EMG analysis. We use mainly in shoulder evaluations, along with the Isokinetic testing we mentioned before. 

EMG stands for electromyography.  It is the study of muscle electrical signals.  EMG is measured using similar techniques to that used for measuring EKG, EEG or other electrophysiological signals.  Electrodes are placed on the skin overlying the muscle.  Once these electrodes are placed, we ask you to perform several movements and the EMG will record the muscle activity during the movements and during the rest periods.

This form of assessment gives us information about which muscles are inactive or overactive, and gives us the information we need to correct these imbalances.  Imbalances cause incorrect movement and the body then moves in such a way that may put at risk for injury, or may already have caused pain and injury.  So, this is a vital instrument in our assessment.

Here are some links again to sites about EMG testing if you would like extra information.

http://www.medicinenet.com/electromyogram/article.htm

http://www.noraxon.lunarpages.net/semg/faq.php3

Isokinetics

Isokinetics

A lot of our assessments and rehabilitation includes what we call isokinetics.  This testing is done on an Isokinetics machine or dynamometer, and this machine can determine muscle strength and imbalances.  It can give us a good idea if one leg is stronger than the other, for example, and what exactly we need to work on to improve on those results. We can also use the isokinetic machine to do exercises on, as you would do a leg press, for example.  So the machine can provide us with lots of information.

We can assess the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle on the machine, and from those results, provide you with an exercise program to help correct whatever we find.  It’s also easy to reassess you in a couple of weeks and see that your improvement is like; we can give you an actual percentage!  So we use the machine in all our assessments and in some of our rehabilitation sessions to give us detailed information to work with; and to give you a comprehensive rehabilitation program and to aid in your recovery.

Things to remember when it comes to the isokinetic machine:

·         We cannot test you or exercise you on the machine if the joint is painful, swollen or inflamed.

·         Post-surgery, we can only test you on the machine between 10 and 12 weeks after the operation.

If you would like more information on the Isokinetic machine, here are some website links that you can take a look at:

http://www.isokinetics.net/basics/first.htm

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-isokinetics.htm

Our work and our practices

Our Biokinetics practice focuses around orthopaedic injuries and post-surgery rehabilitation, meaning that any muscle or joint injury is our area of specialisation.  We deal with back, shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle injuries predominately.  We also include children and the elderly, as well as sports people in the patients we see.

We have 3 practices that you can contact if you require a Biokineticist.  There is a practice at the Centre for Sports Medicine in Rosebank, a practice at Wilgeheuwel Hospital in Radiokop, and we recently opened a practice at Medifocus in Sundowner, Randburg.

Rosebank is a sports centre where we work closely with physiotherapists, a podiatrist, sports physicians and orthopaedic surgeons.  Wilgeheuwel Hospital has a swimming pool facility, as well as working with physiotherapists and the orthopaedic surgeons.  Medifocus is a smaller practice that works closely with podiatrists, and hopefully a physiotherapist in the near future.  Sports massage is offered at both Rosebank and Medifocus. 

If you would like to contact one of the three practices, here are the contact details.

Rosebank: 011 442 8233

Wilgeheuwel: 011 794 1226

Medifocus: 011 794 6383

Good Morning

Good morning everybody!

For some more information about Biokinetics you can visit the website of Biokinetics Association of South Africa www.biokinetics.org.za.

Have a good day :)

2011

Welcome back to everybody after what we hope was a good holiday, and if you didn’t go away, at least lovely time spent with family and friends.  We hope that it’s going to be a very successful and prosperous year for you!

As this is the official start of our blog, we would like to invite you again to send us comments and feedback about you would like to read about and get information on, so that we can provide you with the most beneficial posts.  We would also appreciate it if you would invite family and friends to follow us.

With that said, we wish you all the best for 2011 and we look forward to hearing from you!