In most cases there is no need to stop taking your medications for an EMG however please bring a complete list of the medications you are taking. Also, do not use moisturizing lotions or creams as they will interfere with the test. The main preparation we request is to bathe the day of your appointment to remove oils from the skin. There is not much preparation needed for an EMG. How do I prepare for an EMG? Do I need to fast or stop taking my medications? Some patients may experience slight bruising around the area the needle was inserted but this should subside within in a couple of days. The most common side eﬀect is short term discomfort. Are there risks or side effects of having an EMG?īoth the EMG and NCV tests are safe tests that pose a very little risk or side eﬀects.

Ata will assess your muscle and nerve activity through any abnormal electrical activity that occurs when the muscle is either resting or contracted.įollowing the procedure you may experience some temporary pain or slight bruising where the needle was inserted. When the tiny needle is inserted into the muscle you may experience pain or discomfort that will subside shortly after the need is removed. When the study is being conducted the electrodes placed on your skin may omit a tiny electrical like current that will feel like a muscle spasm. A tiny needle electrode may be inserted into the muscle at varying sites dependent upon your symptoms. How is an EMG performed? Is an EMG painful?Īn EMG test is performed utilizing electrodes that will be placed at various locations on your skin. What types of conditions are diagnosed utilizing an EMG?

Specific types of pain in the arms or legs.

Symptoms of muscle or nerve disorders are: If you have symptoms that indicate a potential nerve or muscle disorder your physician may order an EMG to help diagnose your condition. This test will indicate the overall health of your peripheral nervous system. This information is then portrayed in sound, graphs, or numerical figures that are then interpreted by a specialist like Dr. The use of electrodes placed on the skin and in the muscle will evaluate and transmit the strength and speed of the signals traveling between two or more points. Damaged or diseased muscle fibers do not properly respond to nerve impulses.

These signals create muscle contractions that control your musculoskeletal activities such as walking. These neurons transmit electrical signals from your nervous system to your muscles. This test in conjunction with a nerve conduction velocity study (NCV) will evaluate your muscle and the nerve cells or neurons that control them. Ata obtain information from this test?Īn EMG is a minimally invasive diagnostic test that will help your physician determine a diagnosis for potential nerve or muscle disorders.

Is an emg test painful