What Is EMG?

Electromyography or EMG is a diagnostic test that can help a pain management specialist better evaluate the overall function of the muscles and nerves of the body. Through this test, a doctor can easily pinpoint dysfunction, injury, and damage to certain areas of the body. If your pain management specialist has recommended getting an EMG, here’s what you should know,

What EMGs Measure

An EMG can be particularly helpful for testing muscle and nerve function and also determining the location and extent of the injury or damage. Your pain doctor may recommend an EMG to diagnose,

• Pinched nerve
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Sciatica
• Neuropathy
• Muscular dystrophy
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Myasthenia gravis

Reasons for an EMG

Certain symptoms may have your pain doctor recommending an EMG. Symptoms that may benefit from an EMG include,

• Numbness
• Loss of sensation
• Muscle weakness
• “Pins and needles” sensation
• Tingling
• Muscle spasms

Undergoing an EMG

An EMG takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 90 minutes and this test consists of two parts: a nerve conduction study and a muscle testing exam. During the nerve conduction, small electrical shocks are delivered to stimulate the muscles so muscle function can be measured. During muscle testing, very thin needles are placed into certain muscles to look for electrical patterns in the muscles. While there may be minor pain or discomfort during the procedure, the pain is usually fleeting. Of course, if you have any concerns about pain management during the procedure, this is something that you should speak to your doctor about during your consultation. You may experience some muscle soreness for a couple of days after the procedure. If you have a pacemaker or are taking blood-thinning medications, it’s important to let your doctor know ahead of time.

EMG testing is a safe and effective way for a pain management specialist to diagnose certain muscle and nerve problems. To learn more about EMG testing, or if you think you might benefit from this diagnostic test, call your pain doctor today.