What to Expect at Your EMG Testing
Electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic test used to evaluate the electrical activity of muscles and nerves. Our Therapy West Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine physical therapists are highly skilled at performing these tests in our Gunnison, Ephraim, Mount Pleasant, Richfield, and Manti, UT clinic.
It is important to come prepared for your EMG testing. Here’s what to expect during your test:
Preparation
- Clean skin is a must for the test. You should avoid applying lotions, creams, oils, perfumes, or Vaseline to the body on the day of the test.
- Patients should wear loose clothing to allow easy access to arms, legs, neck, and back.
- You should avoid taking Medications such as Mestinon or muscle relaxers. Other medications can be taken as prescribed.
- No fasting is required, and a normal meal schedule may be followed.
Procedure
- The test is usually performed by our specialist trained in electromyography.
- During the test, a low level of electrical current is applied to the skin to stimulate the nerve. The response from nerves and muscle activity is recorded (speed and amplitude of impulse)
- Multiple muscles are sampled.
- The test typically takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete.
Discomfort
Some patients may experience discomfort or a mild pinching sensation during the test, especially when the needle electrode is inserted into the muscle.
The sensation is usually brief and tolerable.
After the test
- Patients can expect to resume normal activities immediately after the test.
- The needle electrodes used in the EMG test will leave small bruises on the skin, which should disappear within a few days.
- The test results will be analyzed, and we will send a report to the referring physician to be interpreted within 24-48 hours.
Indications
- EMG tests help diagnose conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and pinched nerves in the neck or back.
- EMG is a critical tool in the diagnosis of multiple conditions, including carpal tunnel, sciatica, diabetic neuropathy, ALS – Lou Gehrig’s Disease, muscular dystrophy and myasthenia gravis.
During the clinical examination, we will document your symptoms. To clarify your symptoms, we will also conduct other clinical tests and measures, including reflexes and muscle strength. It is important for patients to discuss any concerns or questions about the EMG test with one of our physical therapists before the test is performed.
We will tailor their treatments to address each individual to ensure the best outcomes. Call today to request an appointment and learn more about our EMG testing to see if it’s right for you!
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