Abstract: A method for collecting back muscle dysfunction which comprises collecting electrical muscle activity measurements by applying a plurality of electrodes in a pattern across a patient's back or test subject's back, and measuring the electrical activity at each of these electrodes and storing these measurements at the same time. The database of these sets of measurements from the number of individuals is generated so that a normative sample for comparison is formed. A patient's back muscle activity is quantified by collecting electrical muscle activity measurements for the patient and comparing the patient's electrical muscle activity measurements ratios to the sample average ratios of the normative group.