Tensiomyography (TMG)
The Center for Sports Neurology and Pain Medicine are focused on highlighting
and leveraging the explosion of information related to how the brain and
nervous system (spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and muscles) contribute
to performance and how optimization of nervous system function can dramatically
reduce or eliminate pain, accelerate recovery after injury and
prevent injury. Traditional imaging locates the structural damage. Tensiomyography
(TMG™) assessments give us information on how muscles are
working, inform how muscle
function is affected and what possible limits may occur in performance. The affected
muscles in the kinetic chain can be assessed at any time during the training
or rehabilitation process for further fine-tuning. TMG is a critical tool
in our armamentarium.
TMG assesses the functional capacity of an injured muscle within minutes
by assessing and documenting several aspects of muscle function. Specifically,
muscle strength/power, as well as muscle activation (how quickly the muscle
reacts to an electrical stimulus), and muscle relaxation can be objectively
measured and compared to the opposite side, to other functionally associated
muscles, and/or to antagonist muscle groups.
Symmetrical and synchronized muscle function is an essential for optimal
performance. TMG™ clearly identifies muscle pair asymmetry and asynchronous
action in the kinetic chain. Dr. Williams uses this information to:
- Assess detailed individual muscle function
- TMG™ diagnostic measurements help identify muscle dysfunctions so
that medical or sports performance professionals may adjust training accordingly
by activating, strengthening or releasing tension in specific muscles.
For instance, some athletes need strengthening of a muscle group to recover
from injury or avoid an injury. Others may have normal strength, but need
activation exercises to normalize the speed of contraction for optimal
performance. Still others may have unusually increased tone and/or slowed
relaxation phase after contraction. They may benefit from targeted stretching
or from exercises (such as arthro-kinetic manipulation) to address abnormal
neurologic tone that may have resulted from previous injury and/or the
nervous system’s misguided attempt to protect from injury.
- Obtain objective information regarding healing/recovery after surgery or
PT to guide return to play after injury.
- Predict injury risk and intervene to prevent injury.
- Assist in optimizing performance.
- Obtain objective information regarding musculoskeletal and myofascial contributions
to chronic pain.
WHAT:
1. ELECTRICAL STIMULATOR
2. DIGITAL SENSOR
3. TRIPOD & MANIPULATING HAND
4. ELECTRODES