The physician analyzes the activity on the screen and listens to the sounds of the activity through a speaker. The electrical activity of the muscle is recorded and viewed on a screen called an oscilloscope. How is the Procedure Performed?ĭuring the electromyography test, the physician cleans the skin with alcohol and inserts a tiny needle with an electrode into the muscle.

Measuring the electrical activity in muscles and nerves can help physicians diagnose diseases that damage muscle tissue or nerves. Lotions: Do not apply lotion to the arms or legs on the day of the test.Smoking: Do not smoke for 3 hours before the test.Generally, this is not a problem, but nerve conduction stimulation will be avoided near the pacemaker. Pacemaker: Let you doctor know if you have a pacemaker.Bleeding: If you have a history of bleeding problems or take blood thinners, such as coumadin, heparin, or aspirin, your doctor will tell you when to stop taking them before the test.You may need to stop taking these medicines 3 to 6 days before the test. Medications: Certain medicines that act on the nervous system can change electromyogram (EMG) results.Inform your doctor regarding the following: The medical training teaches doctors what can go wrong with the human body and how to tell the difference between these problems. Medical training helps doctors decide which tests to perform based on your symptoms. Most work as neurologists or physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors. What kind of medical training do doctors undergo who conduct an EMG?ĭoctors who do EMGs go through four years of medical school, then have three or four years of training in a residency program. The EMG does not show brain or spinal cord diseases. These symptoms can represent problems in a muscle, the nerves supplying the muscle, the spinal cord, or the area of the brain that controls that muscle. Determine the cause of symptoms such as weakness, paralysis, or muscle twitching.

These disorders may include a herniated disc, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or myasthenia gravis (MG) as well as many other conditions.

Diagnose diseases that damage muscle tissue, nerves, or the junctions between nerve and muscle called neuromuscular junctions.

When nerve and muscle disorders are present, the disorders cause the muscles to react in abnormal ways.ĮMG and nerve conduction studies are often done together to provide more in-depth information to the physician. These impulses make the muscles react in specific ways. Nerves control the muscles in the body by sending electrical signals called impulses. Dr Brite John Chalunkal, Pain Management Physician, Plano, Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Dallas, TX / Patient Info / Diagnostic Tests / Electromyogram (EMG) Electromyogram (EMG) What is an Electromyogram?Īn electromyogram (EMG) is a medical test performed to measure the electrical activity of muscles in the body.

Needle emg test painful