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Electromyography (EMG) Test

Since your nervous system is not something that doctors can readily examine to gauge any abnormalities, tests such as a nerve conduction test and an electromyography test are beneficial. These tests your doctor to make conclusions about your symptoms and devise the appropriate treatment. Get an accurate EMG test near me in the NY and NJ area at Neuro Injury Specialists. You find an experienced staff that also provides you with the right treatment for your issues following the EMG nerve test results.

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    What Is an Electromyography (EMG) Test?

    Electromyography Test EMG in Brooklyn NYC and NJElectromyography (EMG) tests are usually done in conjunction with nerve conduction tests (NCV). Nerve conduction tests evaluate the flow of electrical currents through a nerve before it reaches the muscle. An EMG test measures a muscle’s response to nerve stimulation of that muscle.

    EMG testing records the activity of a muscle:

    • At rest when there should be no activity
    • During a slight contraction of muscle
    • While a full contraction of muscle takes place

    As an EMG nerve test records the muscle activity, an NCV records the quantity and velocity of the current through the nerve. The exams are done at the same time, so it’s easier to figure out if the problem is with the nerve, the muscle or both. An electromyography test is usually done by a neurologist with training in electrodiagnostic medicine.

    In the New York and New Jersey area, trained and experienced physicians at Neuro Injury Specialists provide exceptional care for neurological conditions ranging from brain injuries  to headaches. The team of doctors  there offer the most up-to-date diagnostic testing  that includes nerve conduction tests and electromyography near me.

    Who’s a Good Candidate for an Electromyography Procedure?

    EMG testing measures a muscle’s effectiveness when stimulated. You need to be able to withstand the tiny electrodes —needles — that will be inserted. These cause very little discomfort to most people.

    A doctor may want you to have an electromyography test if you’ve experienced:

    • Muscle weakness
    • Tingling or pins and needles
    • Involuntary twitching
    • Paralysis

    For the test, you’re given a gown to wear so that the muscles being examined are easily accessible. You’ll be asked to lay down in a comfortable position so that your muscles are as relaxed as possible, then the doctor starts the procedure.

    Electromyography (EMG) Test in Brooklyn

    What Do I Need to Do to Prepare for the Test?

    There’s very little that you need to do before your EMG nerve test. You should tell the doctor if you have a pacemaker, as the test involves electrical impulses. You should also ask if you can take your normal medications. Usually, there are no restrictions except for muscle relaxants.

    The day of the test you should:

    • Shower or bathe as usual, but don’t use any lotions, creams or moisturizers
    • Avoid caffeine and sugary beverages as these affect the nervous system
    • Not smoke for two to three hours before the test

    Mental preparation is also important. You need to be at ease and comfortable. If you’re apprehensive or uneasy, it may negatively influence the test.

    What Can I Expect during an Electromyography Test?

    An EMG test is normally performed in your doctor’s office. You lie down on a bed and the area where the electrode will be inserted is cleaned and sanitized. Your physician inserts the electrode, and you may feel a tiny pinch. The machine starts recording and sometimes there’s an audio component that you may hear. An experienced electromyographer can get as much information from the sound of the machine as the readout.

    Your doctor will then:

    • Insert a number of electrodes
    • Ask you to contract the muscle in varying degrees of strength
    • Take the necessary measurements as seen on the oscilloscope

    An EMG procedure, including the nerve conduction test, usually takes between 60 and 90 minutes from start to finish. The length of time the tests take depends on what you’re being tested for. There is little, if any, pain but your muscles maybe be a bit sore for a day or two.

    Is an EMG Test Painful?

    For most people, an electromyography doesn’t hurt at all, and some feel a slight pinch or prick like when getting an injection.

    For those fearful and anxious, there are a few tricks that help lessen the discomfort so you can get an accurate reading, such as:

    • Cooling sprays to freeze the skin where the electrodes are placed
    • Topical numbing agents you rub on your skin
    • Oral pain relievers taken before test

    The point is that the test should not be painful because if it is, the results won’t be correct. If you have a problem with needles, you need to let your doctor know, so you both can collaborate on a way to alleviate any discomfort.

    Who Can Benefit from EMG Testing?

    Electromyography is used to diagnose a number of neuromuscular diseases and nerve damage.

    Drs. Mark Cohen, Dmitriy Dvoskin and Leon Reyfman at Neuro Injury Specialists are all well versed in EMG testing and may use this test to determine a diagnosis such as:

    In addition to neuromuscular diseases, an EMG test can help your doctor identify the cause of nerve pain,  injuries, motor difficulties and degenerative disorders.

    How Can I Find EMG Testing Near Me?

    To find electromyography near me, look to Neuro Injury Specialists in New York and New Jersey. EMG tests are usually done in your doctor’s office or in the hospital if you’re there. You want to have experienced EMG doctors provide the test for several reasons, not the least of which is that they must take into account certain conditions that may require special consideration during an electromyography procedure such as:

    • Skin condition. Your doctor needs to avoid abnormal veins, infections or areas with dermatitis outbreaks and may postpone an EMG until it’s cleared up.
    • If you take this medication, you must be evaluated to confirm the efficacy of electromyography near me.

    Your doctors can do this testing and many more if needed, to get to the root of your problem. The staff at Neuro Injury Specialists are experts in all kinds of neurological issues from chronic headaches to traumatic brain injury.

    What if the Electromyography Test Is Negative?

    There’s always the possibility that the results of the EMG test won’t show any abnormalities. Your doctor then looks for other possibilities creating your symptoms.

    For example, muscle weakness and tingling in your extremities may be caused by:

    • Circulation trouble
    • Lack of muscle fitness
    • Diseases such as diabetes

    There are many nerve and muscle conditions that may not be brought to light by an EMG nerve test. Contact the doctors at Neuro Injury Specialists <Link to Contact> to diagnose and treat the symptoms you have.