introduction to manual muscle testing
Muscle testing is an important part of physical examination. It is useful for establishing a diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders. It is also effective in determining if progress is being made during rehabilitation and from that if adjustments need to be made (Kendall 3). Muscle testing consists of strong, static, isometric muscle contraction. Limiting joint motion and focusing on the muscle allows for determination of a problem with a muscle or muscles or possibly if it is a condition in the inert tissues (all tissue not considered contractile or neurological (Magee 23).