Physical therapists with clinical electrophysiologic specialty training conduct tests to determine the location and severity of muscle and peripheral nerve problems. They use sophisticated equipment that can detect very small electrical currents in muscles and nerves. The physical therapist then uses the data to identify the muscle and nerve pathology (the possible source, cause, and extent of muscle weakness, pain, or loss of nerve function). Some attend residency programs, obtain board-certification, or go on to participate in fellowship programs. Learn more about these advanced learning pathways in physical therapy specialty areas.
To help with diagnosis and determine appropriate treatment options, your physician may refer you to this type of PT, who can conduct the following tests:
- Electromyography, or EMG – the use of a needle electrode to assess the health of the muscle.
- Nerve conduction study to assess the function of the nerve.
Potential diagnoses include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Pinched nerves in the neck or back (which may be causing neck pain, cervical radiculopathy, lumbar radiculopathy, or sciatica, and other symptoms).
- Concerns related to conditions such as diabetes, myasthenia gravis, and myositis.
You may benefit from seeing a physical therapist who is board certified in Clinical Electrophysiology if you experience:
- A loss of feeling or sensation (often in the feet).
- Numbness or tingling.
- Weakness.
- Loss of balance.
- Pain.
- Limited mobility.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy – decreased sensation, often in the feet – affects up to 50% of people with diabetes. People with this sensation loss may be up to 20 times more likely to experience a fall than those without diabetes. A physical therapist that specializes in electrodiagnostic testing and/or wound management can help identify and treat sensation loss and decrease your risk of falling.
Few physical therapists have a clinical electrophysiology specialty in the United States. Finding one in your area may be challenging. The American Physical Therapy Association provides Find a PT to help you search for a licensed physical therapist with these and other credentials near you.
Physical therapists are movement experts. They improve quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement. In many states, you can see a physical therapist who specializes in clinical electrophysiology for evaluation, diagnostic testing, and treatment without a without a physician's referral.*
Learn about board certification in clinical electrophysiology in physical therapy.
*Insurance and corporate policies or state laws may still require a physician's referral or limit diagnostic testing and treatment scope or duration without a referral. Insurance policies also may restrict you to in-network providers.
