Manual Muscle Testing

Manual muscle testing is an evaluative technique used to determine the relative strength of specific muscles and/or movements.  Our therapists differentiate the action of one muscle from the actions of others in order to establish a baseline.  This is done by carefully considering the position of the patient, fixation and stabilization of the bodily segments involved in the test, the amount of pressure applied to the line of pull, and the potential for substitution from other muscles.  Comparisons to the uninvolved extremity or to well established norms allow for proper diagnosis and treatment of neuro-muscular weakness or injury.