Patients are sent to the EMG lab because of numbness, tingling, pain, weakness, or muscle cramping. They are tested with nerve conduction studies (NCSs), needle EMG, and evoked potentials to help diagnose the problem. Problems that can be diagnosed are radiculopathy, brachial plexopathy, compression neuropathies, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, myopathy and motor neuron disorders, and other neurological conditions, such as myasthenia gravis.

Nerve Conduction Studies show how well the body's electrical signals are traveling to a nerve. This is done by applying small electrical shocks to the nerve and recording how the nerve works. These shocks cause a quick, mild, tingling feeling.

Needle EMG (Electromyography) is when a small, thin needle is inserted into several muscles. The doctor examines the muscles to determine what is wrong by observing and listening to the electrical signals that travel from the needle to the EMG machine.She listens for abnormal activities such as positive sharp waves, fibrillations, fasciculation and other abnormal activities when the muscle is at rest.The test also shows the configuration of the motor unit action potentials and how well the muscles are recruiting when the muscle is asked to be contracted. A new needle is used for each patient, and it is thrown away after the test. There may be a small amount of pain when the needle is put in, but this is very tolerable.

How long will these test take? The tests usually take 20 to 90 minutes. You can do any of your normal activities, like eating, driving, and exercising, before the tests. There are no lasting side effects. You also can do your normal activities after the tests.

How should I prepare for the tests? Tell Dr. Smigel if you are taking aspirin, blood thinners (like Coumadin), have a pacemaker, or have hemophilia.Take a bath or shower to remove oil from your skin. Do not use body lotion on the day of the test.

When I will know the test results? Dr. Smigel will discuss your test results with you or send them to your regular Doctor. After the exam, she may order lab tests or other diagnostic tests, or she may tell you to check with your primary doctor who sent you to the lab for the next step in your care.

What kind of medical training do doctors who do EMG have? Doctors who do EMGs go to 4 years of medical school; then have 3 or 4 more years of training in a residency program.  Medical training helps the doctor decide which tests to perform based on your symptoms.  It teaches doctors the things that can go wrong with the human body and how to tell the difference between these things.