Muscle Response Test
Review What You Feel During the Test
A muscle response test uses a probe on the skin to review what you feel during low-level electrical stimulation. The clinician can consider your response when planning Circulation HD injections and Circulation PT rehabilitation. There is a sequence to regaining movement. Settle pain → Wake muscles → Make movement stick.
What Is a Muscle Response Test?
A non-invasive test using a probe on the skin to review sensations during low-level electrical stimulation.
Patients can describe any vibration or discomfort they feel during the test to the clinician.
Non-Invasive
Just touch probe to skin. No needles or incisions required.
Intuitive
Patients describe what they feel during the test to the clinician.
Review Responses During Testing
You can describe what you feel to the clinician during the test.
What Might You Feel During the Test?
Sensations during the test can vary by person and area. These responses alone do not establish whether an area is normal or what is causing pain.
When You Feel Vibration
- Vibration may feel steady
- Discomfort may be mild
- You may feel a sensation at the tested area
When You Feel Other Sensations
- Vibration may feel stronger
- You may feel tenderness or discomfort
- Tingling may be felt elsewhere
Tingling in Unexpected Places?
For example, when testing shoulder, you might feel tingling in hand.
This response alone cannot show whether a muscle is swollen or a nerve is compressed.
Tell the clinician where you felt the tingling and what it felt like.
How Is the Test Conducted?
Comfortable Position
Position yourself so test area is comfortably exposed.
Apply Probe
Gentle vibration felt when test device contacts skin.
Explore Area
Slowly move probe to find areas with strong response.
Review Responses
Review what you felt during the test and consider it when planning treatment.
Each area takes about 5 to 10 minutes to test.
Responses to treatment vary by person. Diagnosis and treatment are determined after consultation.
Pre-Test Questions
“Doesn’t it hurt?”
You may feel a vibration like a phone on vibrate. You may also feel tenderness or discomfort, depending on the area. Tell the clinician if you feel uncomfortable.
“Isn’t the current harmful?”
The test uses a low-level current. Tell the clinician immediately if you feel discomfort. The test is not used in people with a pacemaker or ICD. Some areas require additional precautions.
Cannot Receive Test If
- Wearing pacemaker or ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator)
Pregnant women (abdominal application), acute inflammation sites, skin damage areas are tested avoiding those specific areas.
Used Together with Circulation Therapy
Review Felt Responses
Treatment Area Chosen in Consultation
Function Recovery
The clinician considers what you felt during the test when planning treatment.
Testing the same area again after treatment lets the clinician and patient check whether the response has changed.
Used During HD & PT Treatment
The muscle response test may be used during Circulation HD procedures or Circulation PT treatment when needed. The clinician reviews what you felt alongside other consultation findings when planning treatment.
Follow-Up Check
After treatment, the clinician and patient can test the same area again and check whether the response feels different.
Helpful For
Chronic Pain
- Don’t know exactly where it hurts
- Neck and shoulders always stiff
- Same area keeps hurting despite treatment
- MRI shows normal but still in pain
Discussing Treatment Areas
- Want to review what you felt before Circulation HD
- Want to describe where you feel pain during consultation
- Want to check the response in the same area again after treatment
- Suspected myofascial pain syndrome
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the test cost?
For those receiving Circulation Therapy, it’s included in the treatment process. Detailed information provided during consultation.
Are there side effects?
This test uses a low-level current, and temporary discomfort at the test site can occur. If the discomfort persists, tell the medical staff.
Which areas are tested?
Painful areas like neck, shoulders, lower back, pelvis are tested. Test areas determined based on patient symptoms.
Can I just get the test alone?
What you feel during the test can inform consultation and treatment planning. Please consult the clinician rather than seeking the test alone.
Related Pages
We Consider What You Felt During the Test
Review what you felt during the test with the clinician.
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