EMG’s

An EMG, or an electromyogram, is an amazing measurement tool to help diagnose nerve and muscle problems. Simply put, it uses electrodes to measure how well your body is responding to your brain. Many people experience muscle pain or nerve pain, and it can be difficult to pinpoint where that pain is coming from sometimes. An EMG is a great way for a doctor to find out what might be causing problems, and figure out what to do to solve them. 

How Does It Work? 

An Electromyography machine has two different kinds of tests that are used for different things. One type of test, the surface EMG, uses electrical pulses to measure your nerves. The intramuscular EMG uses a different part to measure the electricity generated by your muscles. These machines are mostly used in hospitals and the tests are scheduled in advance, much like an MRI or CT scan. 

How Is The Test Performed?

A surface EMG and an intramuscular EMG are done a little differently. A doctor may only do one or both to measure your nerves or muscles. It is common to have both kinds of tests ordered, so the doctor can see both kinds of results. 

Surface EMG

During a surface EMG, the machine will test your nerves through electrical impulses that are projected into the skin. This specific test is called a nerve conduction study. This is done by placing small disc-like electrical stimulators on your skin called electrodes. These are stuck unto the skin by a kind of medical tape. These have to be placed in certain places on the skin depending on which nerves are being measured. The machine will then send small electric pulses through the electrodes, which goes through the nerves. These are measured in terms of conduction through the nerves, or in other words, how quickly the electricity is conducted through the nerves. This is a great way to find out if the nerves are functioning properly in the area. 

Intramuscular EMG

This type of EMG is a little more complicated. The patient has to put in a bit more effort for the test to work. First, a long thin needle is inserted carefully into the muscle. This needle is also a type of electrode. Other electrodes may be placed on the skin as well, depending on the type of test being performed. Then the patient will be asked to contract and relax the muscle where the needle is placed. The needle will measure the amount of electrical pulses going through the muscle, which indicates how well the muscle is reacting to the brain. The needle may be moved to different muscles throughout the test. These are generally only used on skeletal muscles, or muscles that are attached to bone. 

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Is It Painful? 

After the test, many patients experience muscle soreness for a few days. This is due to the electrical impulses, but it is not supposed to be painful during the actual test. Needles being inserted into the skin can be painful, especially depending on the area, but the doctor may apply a numbing agent to help with this. If you experience any severe pain during the EMG, let the medical professional performing the test know right away. This is a very low-risk procedure, and most people do not experience pain, only discomfort. 

Diagnosis of Conditions 

After the tests have been completed, a doctor reads the results and finds them normal or abnormal. If the results are normal, the patient is most likely experiencing their pain from something other than nerve or muscle strain. If they are abnormal, it can indicate a few different things. Some serious conditions like muscular dystrophy are diagnosed through the use of EMG’s. Other less serious conditions such as carpal tunnel or bell’s palsy can be discovered through an EMG. These are very helpful for diagnosing certain conditions that are not visible to the naked eye. One very important use of EMG’s is the diagnosis of herniated discs in the spine. Pinched nerves, known as sciatica in the lower back, are also commonly diagnosed through EMG. 

Other Uses 

Sometimes doctors use EMG machines to see if a person is healing from nerve damage, or if the nerves are regaining any function. EMG machines can also be used to measure muscles that may have atrophied or have been damaged, to measure their improvements. 

Why get an EMG?

It is not only pain that may influence a doctor to order an EMG for a patient. Some other symptoms that warrant a test are also numbness and tingling, muscle cramping, and weakness or fatigued muscles. These things can happen due to injury or just over time. These symptoms can be indicators of a muscle or nerve disorder, but these tests are often used to rule out some of those more serious disorders. 

Helpful Tips 

If you are going to get an EMG and you are nervous, remember that this test is minimally invasive and is extremely safe. Remember to shower or bathe before the exam to remove any oils, and to not apply lotion or any creams beforehand. This can affect the electrical pulses, so it is best to avoid anything that may compromise your results. You also need to let the medical professional performing the exam if you have a pacemaker or are on blood thinners. Let them know as well if you are taking any supplements that are herbal or over the counter. Your doctor might ask you to refrain from taking medicines or supplements of any kind the day of the exam, so make sure to follow their instructions. 

Your Results 

After the exam is completed, it may take several days for the doctor to determine the results of the test. There may also need to be other tests done to determine what the root of the problem might be. Always follow your doctor’s instructions for muscle use and any other restrictions before and after getting an EMG. If you are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms with little or no relief, set an appointment with your doctor today!