What is an EMG?

An electromyogram (EMG) is a diagnostic tool that can help to detect nerves that aren’t working as they should.

When you have an EMG test, Dr. Abbasi at New Jersey Pain, Spine & Sports Associates inserts fine needles into your skin at particular points. The electromyography device records the electrical signals produced by your muscles and generates a readout of the electrical activity in specific areas.

Typically, you would have nerve conduction velocity (NCV) tests at the same time as your EMG. The NCV test involves using electrical currents to activate certain nerves. Dr. Abbasi can assess how quickly and efficiently your nerves respond to see if there’s any evidence of nerve dysfunction.

How do EMG studies work?

EMG studies measure electricity. Healthy nerves send messages from your brain and spinal cord (central nervous system or CNS) to your muscles, telling them how to work. They also send messages back to your brain from every other part of your body.

Some of the messages the nerves send to your muscles control actions that happen without any conscious control, like your heartbeat and digestion. Others are instructions to complete actions that enable you to carry out all the activities of your daily life, from scratching an itch to riding a bicycle.

Each message uses tiny quantities of electricity. The EMG machine measures these electrical signals to determine which nerves are causing your symptoms, and how badly damaged the nerves are.

Why might I need an EMG?

Dr. Abbasi at New Jersey Pain, Spine & Sports Associates uses EMG tests to diagnose and assess conditions that are causing neuropathy (nerve pain) and other uncomfortable symptoms.

Nerve dysfunction can cause you to experience discomfort and sometimes severe pain. On the other hand, you might also lose feeling or suffer complete numbness in the affected area. You might develop weakness or an inability to move as well as you usually would.

As well as pain, nerve dysfunction can cause unpleasant sensations like tingling, burning, itching, and a pins-and-needles feeling. Symptoms like these indicate that your nerves are responsible. Dr. Abbasi orders EMG and NCV tests to find out the cause.

What conditions do EMG studies diagnose?

EMG studies can help Dr. Abbasi to diagnose a range of nerve-related conditions, including:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Herniated discs
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Pinched nerves (radiculopathy)
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease)
• Muscular dystrophy
• Polymyositis
• Myasthenia gravis

Dr. Abbasi uses sophisticated EMG and NCV testing that provides accurate, in-depth results and gets to the root of your condition. To find out more, call the practice today or book an appointment online.