Most patients find this test to be somewhat uncomfortable.Īn EMG is usually done in conjunction with a nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test, which measures electrical energy by assessing the nerve’s ability to send a signal. Testing usually takes place at a testing facility and lasts about 20-40 minutes, depending on the number of muscles and nerves to be tested.

The electrodes are attached through a series of wires to a recording instrument. Information about how the muscles work also shows if the nerves sending messages to those muscles are healthy or damaged.ĭuring an EMG, very fine wire electrodes are inserted into a muscle to assess changes in electrical voltage that occur during movement and when the muscle is at rest. The electrical conducting properties of the nerves are measured and it is determined whether the nerves are healthy, pinched in a certain location, or diffusely affected by disease.

The test should be performed by or supervised by a physician who has special training in diseases of the peripheral nerves and muscles. This can diagnose nerve damage, pinched nerves, neuropathy, nerve pain, muscle spasm, and back and neck problems. These tests can be critical to the diagnosis of a chronic pain or neuromuscular condition. It records the electrical activity from the brain and/or spinal cord to a peripheral nerve root (found in the arms and legs) that controls muscles during contraction and at rest.ĮMG and Nerve Conduction Studies consist of nerve tests and muscle tests which help the doctor determine how the nerves and muscles are functioning. Electromyography, or EMG, is used to diagnose nerve and muscle dysfunction and spinal cord disease.

Nerve conduction study painful