It sounds like something that could have been in George Orwell's book 1984. Nerve conduction. Velocity. Electromyography.
Neurophysiologic testing entails assessing the function of the peripheral nervous systems and the muscles, using nerve conduction velocity tests and electromyography. The scope of the practice is to provide test results that enable doctors to determine if nerves or muscles are the culprit of a patient's troubles.
The four primary conditions under consideration are:
- nerve entrapment, resulting in conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome
- radiculopathy, manifested in pinched nerves in the neck or back
- polyneuropathy, which creates tingling and numbness in the feet
- myositis, disease in the muscles themselves
Alain Claudel, physical therapist and
Neurophysiologic testing is also part of the broader neurological rehabilitation. "Neurological rehab comes into play when somebody suffers a stroke or among patients with MS (multiple sclerosis) or ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)," says Alain Claudel, physical therapist. "In these cases, we get all three of our disciplines involved: our speech therapists to deal with articulation; our occupational therapists to look at functions, especially the hands; and our physical therapists to work on balance, strengthening, and retraining motor functions. We work well together."
Therapists at Community Hospital have extensive experience in guiding patients - and their families - during the recovery from an accident involving the nervous system. Community Hospital provides patients with motor control activities, splinting, balance training, and new technology such as the Bioness neuroprosthesis.