Introduction to EMG, Nerve Conduction Studies, and Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging
For Clinical Diagnosis and Patient Management
A Hands-On 2-Day Course in EMG, NCS, and MSK Ultrasound: Advancing Diagnosis and Patient Management in Modern Clinical Practice
Approved for 20.5 CEU – Contact Hours
Approved for 20.5 CME’s
About Course
Offered by the American Academy of Clinical Electrodiagnosis (AACE)
In collaboration with the American Academy of MSK Ultrasound (AAMU)
This 2-day introductory course is designed for Physical Therapists, Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Podiatrists, and other healthcare professionals seeking foundational knowledge and practical exposure to neurodiagnostic testing, including nerve conduction studies (NCS), electromyography (EMG), and musculoskeletal ultrasound.
Participants will gain a solid understanding of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and the clinical application of electrodiagnostic testing and musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging through focused instruction, live demonstrations, and hands-on laboratory experience. Special emphasis is placed on the interpretation of diagnostic findings and on patient management based on those findings, including how electrodiagnostic and ultrasound data can guide clinical reasoning, differential diagnosis, referral decisions, prognosis, and treatment strategy.
Through case-based discussions and practical training, this course helps clinicians understand not only how EMG, nerve conduction studies, and musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging are performed, but more importantly, how the results can be translated into meaningful patient care decisions. The program also demonstrates how these integrated diagnostic tools can strengthen the role of healthcare professionals practicing in advanced and primary care-oriented settings by supporting evidence-based decision-making, improving diagnostic precision, and contributing to more comprehensive patient management.
Upon completion, participants will receive the “Certificate of Completion in Foundational Neurodiagnostics”
No prior diagnostic testing experience is required
Course Highlights from Our Training Locations
This is how we're covered for CEU's
We are approved for CEU CREDITS for PT, PTA, APT, DPT IN 40+ STATES.
**If you hold a different credential and are interested in contact hours, please contact us directly.
California: Hands-On Companies is an approved provider of continuing education for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants in California (CA) by CEUapproval.com, LLC, a recognized approval agency of the Physical Therapy Board of CA.
Florida: Hands-On Companies is a rule-approved CE provider of the PT Board of Florida (#50-46318).
Illinois: Hands-On Companies is a licensed CE sponsor of physical therapy continuing education by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (#216.000399).
New York: Hands-On Companies is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Physical Therapy as an approved sponsor of PT/PTA continuing education.
Oklahoma: Hands-On Companies is an approved provider of the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure & Supervision - Physical Therapy (#50-46318).
Texas: Hands-On Companies is an accredited provider of the Texas Physical Therapy Association (#2802072TX). The assignment of Texas PT CCUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by TPTA or TBPTE.
Courses approved by other state boards in the following jurisdictions are likely accepted for licensure credit based on the state regulation.
AL | AK | AR | CO | CT | DE | GA | HI | ID | IN | IA | KS | KY | ME | MA | MI | MO | MT | NE | NH | NC | ND | OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | UT | VT | VA | VI | WA | WI | WY
Courses approved by other APTA chapters in the following jurisdictions are likely accepted for licensure credit based on the state regulation.
AZ | DC | MD | MS | NM
Please reach out to your state licensing board to confirm the currency and accuracy of this information. If you have a specific question about CEU approval for this course in your state, please direct your inquiry to [email protected].
The following states are not pre-approved: LA, MN, NV, NJ, OH, TN, WV. Hands-On Companies may seek additional approvals in these states for symposiums/conferences. Please inquire with [email protected].
Participants licensed in states not pre-approved may file for individual approval using the instructions on this document.
This is how we're covered for CME's
Physician Continuing Education
20.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
Nursing Continuing Professional Development
20.5 ANCC contact hours
PA Continuing Medical Education
20.5 AAPA Category 1 CME credits
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Course Locations & Dates
Don’t see a location near you? Let us know where you’d like to see us next. Email us at [email protected].
Course Outline – Daily Timeline
See exactly what you’ll learn each day—from foundational techniques to advanced clinical integration.
Day 1 – Foundations & Core Techniques
Morning Session
| 8:00 – 8:30 AM | Sign-in / Newtorking |
| 8:30 – 9:00 AM | Welcome & Course Orientation – Overview of course goals, relevance to PT practice, and role in primary care. |
| 9:00 – 9:45 AM | The Body Electric: Physiology of the Nervous System – Physiology of excitable cells, axons, NMJ, and muscle fibers. |
| 9:45 – 10:15 AM | Organization of the Nervous System – Gross and fine anatomy; clinical implications for diagnostic testing. |
| 10:15 – 10:45 AM | Introduction to Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) – Equipment, indications, parameters, and clinical application. |
| 10:45 – 11:00 AM | Break |
| 11:00 – 11:30 AM | Case Lecture: Median Nerve & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Anatomy, entrapment neuropathies, diagnostic criteria, patient case review. |
| 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM | Lab: Median Nerve Motor & Sensory Testing – Hands-on training in NCS for the median nerve. |
| 12:15 – 1:00 PM | Lunch |
Afternoon Session
| 1:00 – 1:30 PM | Case Lecture: Tibial & Sural Nerve – Clinical anatomy, testing indications, relevance in neuropathies. |
| 1:30 – 2:15 PM | Lab: Tibial & Sural Nerve Testing – Hands-on lab for tibial and sural motor/sensory NCS. |
| 2:15 – 2:45 PM | Introduction to Electromyography (EMG) – Theory, clinical implications, and role in patient management. |
| 2:45 – 3:30 PM | Lab: Needle EMG Demonstration – Observing normal vs. abnormal EMG activity. |
| 3:30 – 4:00 PM | Recognizing Normal vs. Abnormal EMG Findings – Video and waveform analysis with clinical case discussion. |
| 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Application to Treatment Planning – How to integrate NCS/EMG results into patient treatment and rehabilitation plans. |
Day 2 – Advanced Integration, Ultrasound, and Clinical Application
Morning Session
| 9:00 – 9:30 AM | Neuromuscular Screening & Patient Management – Screening strategies; using test findings to guide treatment. |
| 9:30 – 10:00 AM | Nerve Response to Injury – Pathophysiology of nerve injury and recovery; implications for treatment progression. |
| 10:00 – 10:30 AM | Introduction to Neuromusculoskeletal Ultrasound (MSKUS) – Principles, diagnostic value, integration with EMG/NCS. |
| 10:30 – 11:15 AM | Lab: MSKUS of Median Nerve – Hands-on ultrasound imaging with case-based interpretation. |
| 11:15 – 11:45 AM | Integrating Diagnostics into Primary Care Practice – How EMG/NCS/MSKUS expands the PT role in direct access and primary care. |
| 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM | Lunch |
Afternoon Session
| 12:30 – 1:00 PM | Clinical Utility: Case Studies in Entrapment Neuropathies & Radiculopathies – Real cases showing how diagnostic findings direct treatment and referrals. |
| 1:00 – 1:30 PM | Business Aspects of EMG/NCS – Reimbursement, coding, and practice management strategies. |
| 1:30 – 2:15 PM | Lab: Open Practice with Faculty Support – Supervised practice across modalities (NCS, EMG, MSKUS). |
| 2:15 – 2:45 PM | Education Pathways in Electrodiagnostics & Ultrasound – Residency, certification, and advanced training opportunities. |
| 2:45 – 3:00 PM | Break |
| 3:00 – 4:30 PM | Comprehensive Case Integration Workshop – Small group work: interpreting test results, applying to treatment planning, making referral decisions. |
| 4:30 – 5:00 PM | Final Q&A, Wrap-Up, and Certificates |
Meet the Instructors
Dr. Dimitrios Kostopoulos
Dr. Dimitrios Kostopoulos DPT, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., ECS
Dr. Dimitrios Kostopoulos is a Board-Certified Clinical Electrophysiology Specialist with over 38 years of clinical experience and more than 30 years in electrodiagnostic testing. He is among a select group of specialists who hold a Doctorate of Science (DSc) in Clinical Electrophysiology Testing, ECS board certification, and laboratory accreditation with exemplary status by ACEWM (Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology & Wound Management)
Extensive Experience and Qualifications
Dr. Kostopoulos serves as the Residency Director for Hands-On Diagnostics’ Clinical Electrophysiology program, training the next generation of specialists in advanced diagnostic techniques.
A world-renowned expert and best-selling author in Myofascial Pain and Business Development, Dr. Kostopoulos is the co-founder of Hands-On Companies, established in 1992. The organization has treated over 300,000 patients, performed more than 120,000 diagnostic tests, and educated over 100,000 healthcare professionals worldwide. Dr. Kostopoulos has taught extensively in manual therapy, with a focus on Trigger Point, Myofascial, NeuroFascial Therapy, Manipulation and Diagnostic Testing.
Dr. Kostopoulos holds four doctorate degrees, including a PhD and Master’s from New York University, a Doctorate of Science (DSc) from Rocky Mountain University in Clinical Electrodiagnosis, an MD from UHSA School of Medicine, and a DPT from Evidence in Motion.
Trusted Doctor, Teacher, and Expert
He is a past Clinical Affiliate Assistant Professor at Florida Atlantic University, a former member of SACE for the electrophysiology board exam, and a previous Executive Committee member of the Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Management (APTA). Additionally, he has served as Adjunct Faculty at Springfield College, teaching Clinical Electrophysiology.
Dr. Kostopoulos is the Editor of the Diagnostic Section for the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, published by Elsevier, and has authored numerous publications. Recognized with multiple business and humanitarian awards, his work continues to influence both clinical and professional practice globally.
Dr. Korry Wheeler
Dr. Wheeler is the Assistant Director of the Clinical Electrophysiology Residency Program of the American Academy of Clinical Electrodiagnosis and Hands-On Diagnostics. He also performs electrophysiologic testing at clinics in 6 clinics throughout Southwestern Wyoming. He became board certified in clinical electrophysiology in 2022.
He was born and raised in Western Wyoming. He is married with 3 kids and loves to spend time with his family and in the beautiful mountains of Wyoming. Healthcare has always been a passion of his. He loves getting to share his knowledge of anatomy, physiology and electrodiagnostics from students all over the world.
Dr. Konstantine Rizopoulos
Dr. Rizopoulos, PT, DPT, RMSK, APCA, is board certified in Musculoskeletal Sonography. He has over 35 years of clinical experience and also holds a doctoral degree with a focus on business administration, marketing, PR, and management. He co-founded and successfully established and managed the Hands-On Companies, a consortium of companies in the areas of Physical Therapy, Diagnostic Testing, and Education.
During his extensive experience in diagnostic testing and manual therapy, Dr. Rizopoulos has treated more than 150,000 patients over the last 35 years, and performed thousands of ultrasound diagnostic tests.
He has also co-authored several books with Dr. Kostopoulos, and numerous articles for professional journals.
