What’s New
Unity Move Physical Therapy & Wellness now offers mTrigger surface EMG (sEMG) biofeedback—a small, sensor-based system that shows your muscle activation in real time. When you can see which muscles are firing (and when), you learn faster, move with better form, and rehab more efficiently. This tool helps us fine-tune your exercises, reduce compensations, and build confidence as you return to daily life and sport. If you’ve ever wished for clearer feedback—“Am I actually activating my quads or glutes?”—mTrigger makes the answer visible.
What Is Surface EMG (sEMG)
Surface EMG uses small, sticky sensors placed on your skin to detect the electrical signals your muscles produce when they contract. The mTrigger app turns these signals into simple visuals and sounds so you can tell, instantly, whether you’re activating the right muscle at the right time. Think of it as a live dashboard for your movement quality—no pain, no needles, and no electricity going into your body.
Who Benefits
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Post-injury quad or glute re-activation (knee pain, ACL/meniscus history)
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Shoulder and scapular control (impingement, rotator cuff rehab)
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Ankle stability after sprains (including recreational and pickleball athletes)
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Core activation for low back pain
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Neurologic motor re-education (e.g., post-stroke carryover support)
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Return-to-sport and balance training
How We Use mTrigger at Unity Move
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Baseline read: We record your resting level and max voluntary contraction (MVC) to set personalized targets.
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Guided drills: You practice activation with clear target zones, timing cues, and left/right symmetry coaching.
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Smart progression: We pair sEMG with our force plate, joint-angle tracking, or a tempo metronome so you build control before adding load or speed.
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At-home coaching: You’ll get simple cues and instructions to reinforce motor control between visits.
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Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM): When appropriate, we monitor progress and support you between sessions.
Why Is sEMG Biofeedback Important for Rehabilitation?
Good movement is about timing and recruitment, not just strength. External feedback—like seeing the muscle signal rise on the screen—helps your brain learn faster and more precisely. With sEMG biofeedback, you reduce “cheating” patterns, improve activation timing, and build measurable progress session by session. Results vary by person, but this approach keeps training individualized and data-informed.
What a Session Looks Like
You arrive with knee irritation and a quad lag—the quad isn’t kicking in during straight-leg raises. We place two small sensors on the thigh and set your targets. On the first set, your activation peaks at 30–40% of your max; you can see the line just missing the goal. With targeted cues and pacing, the next sets climb to 50–60%. Over 2–3 visits, your quad activation becomes more consistent, your sit-to-stand looks smoother, and stairs feel less effortful. The screen showed why it was working—and helped you repeat it at home.
Results You Can See
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Better activation timing (on-target vs. delayed firing)
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Reduced co-contraction/compensation (less “gripping” with the wrong muscles)
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Improved rep quality (cleaner, more repeatable movement)
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Higher activity tolerance (stairs, carry, sport drills)
Quick Comparison
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Without Biofeedback |
With Biofeedback (mTrigger sEMG) |
|---|---|---|
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Awareness |
“I think I feel it” |
See the muscle signal in real time |
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Timing/Quality |
Hard to judge timing |
Visual targets guide timing and form |
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Progression |
Uncertain when to advance |
Data supports safe, step-wise progression |
|
Metrics |
Minimal |
MVC, symmetry, rep quality trends |
We coordinate with referring providers and can share concise progress summaries when requested.
Getting Started
Call 315-687-8678 or Book a PT Evaluation at unitymovept.com.
New York allows direct access to physical therapy for an initial evaluation. If needed, we’ll communicate with your provider and integrate your plan.
FAQ
Q: What does mTrigger measure?
A: It detects the electrical signals your muscles make when they contract and turns them into simple visuals so you can see activation live.
Q: Does it hurt or use electricity?
A: No. The sensors read your muscle signals; they don’t send electricity into your body.
Q: How is biofeedback different from regular exercise?
A: Biofeedback adds real-time coaching. You still do exercises—but with immediate, objective feedback that improves timing, control, and form.
Q: Will this replace my home program?
A: No. It enhances your program. We’ll use it to teach and refine activation, then give you clear at-home cues to keep the gains.
Q: How many sessions until I notice a difference?
A: Many people notice clearer activation in the first 1–3 sessions. The pace depends on your condition, goals, and consistency.
Q: Is this covered by insurance?
A: sEMG biofeedback is typically part of your PT session. Coverage varies by plan; we’ll review your benefits and options.
Q: Is it helpful for athletes and older adults alike?
A: Yes. From return-to-sport to fall prevention and balance, better muscle timing benefits a wide range of goals.
Call 315-687-8678
Book a 15-minute movement check at unitymovept.com
Unity Move PT & Wellness—Community for Movement
