You see, a nerve works something like an electrical wire. In this part some brief electrical shocks are delivered to your arm or leg in an effort to determine how fast or slowly your nerves are conducting the electrical current and therefore in what state of health or disease they may be. The first part is called Nerve Conduction Studies. The test consists of two parts, though at times one may be done without the other. What happens during an EMG?ĭuring this test, you will be lying on an examination table, next to an EMG machine (which looks like a desktop or laptop computer). If you have any doubts as to why you need this test, ask your doctor. There are many other medical problems that might suggest the need for an EMG. Weakness of the muscles or “fatigue” (tiredness) may be indicative of nerve or muscle disease and require an EMG. If you have tingling or numbness in your arms or legs, an EMG may show if you have a nerve entrapment somewhere or a nerve injury. An EMG may be ordered to see if you have a pinched nerve in the back or the neck. They test the nerves and muscles of the body’s extremities, looking for a problem in either one of these areas. What are some problems for which EMGs are ordered?ĮMGs are usually ordered when patients are having problems with their muscles or nerves. This is not true an EMG is only a test, much like an EKG or an X-ray are tests and not treatments. Sometimes EMGs are thought to be a treatment of some sort, or a type of acupuncture. It can be done at any time during the day and, with few exceptions, does not require any special preparation. On average, an EMG takes anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours, depending on how extensive a testing your doctor orders on you. It is an in-office procedure and does not require hospitalization. Parts of the test (the nerve conductions) may be performed by a specially trained technician. The EMG is performed by a specialist or specially trained MD, the Electromyographer, who is usually a Neurologist. EMG stands for Electromyogram which loosely translated means electrical testing of muscles but in fact has come to mean electrical testing of nerves and muscles. Your doctor has just ordered a test called an EMG.
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