When you have muscle or nerve symptoms, your nervous system often plays a role in your diagnosis and treatment. It may not be obvious how this connection works. Your nervous system contains your brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Nerves send electrical signals to muscles which makes them move. When nerves send electrical signals back to the brain, that may include signals that cause you to feel pain.
At Alpenglow Pain & Wellness of Anchorage, Alaska, Dr. Gavin Nixon uses diagnostic tests of your nervous system to learn more about the cause of your symptoms. Two of the most helpful tests include an EMG (electromyography) study or a nerve conduction study (NCS). In this blog, the Alpenglow team goes into more depth on these tests, including who is a good candidate, and what you can expect from the testing process.
EMG studies look for problems with the connection between your muscles and your motor nerves. An NCS analyzes the electrical flow through your nerves just before they connect with your muscles.
You may need one or both of these tests if you’re suffering from symptoms involving muscle weakness or sensations of numbness or tingling. Your symptoms may be focused anywhere in your body, from your hands and wrists to your ankles and feet.
Dr. Nixon may recommend testing to confirm a diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), peripheral neuropathy, or radiculopathy (pinched spinal nerves). An EMG can also help Dr. Nixon pinpoint the location of the problem in your body that’s causing your symptoms.
Often, your tests take place on an outpatient basis. You sit or lie down for testing. You should wear comfortable clothing to your appointment, and skip using moisturizer or lotion on your skin that day, as it may interfere with the accuracy of your results. Your appointment usually lasts for 30-60 minutes or so.
If you need a nerve conduction study, Dr. Nixon typically performs it first, before starting your EMG study. In an NCS, electrodes stuck to the surface of your skin record the response to mild electrical stimulation. An NCS often tests multiple nerves.
During an EMG study, Dr. Nixon uses a small needle and an electrode to check the electrical activity in one of your muscles. This test doesn’t involve any additional electrical stimulation, just measurement of your body’s own electrical impulses.
Once the EMG needle and electrode are in place, Dr. Nixon asks you to alternately contract and rest the muscle being tested. Computer technology displays the resulting electrical activity in the form of waves that Dr. Nixon can then examine to identify anomalies or potential issues.
EMG/NCS studies are generally tolerated well by most patients and don’t require any post-testing recovery time. You may feel some mild discomfort when Dr. Nixon inserts the needle, and the tested muscles may remain tender for a few days after your appointment. Any mild bruising at the testing site should fade quickly.
Your results are usually complete within 24-48 hours. You won’t receive a diagnosis as a result of your tests, but the test results give the Alpenglow team key information needed to diagnose your condition and begin treatment. You may need blood testing or additional imaging exams to confirm your diagnosis.
For rapid access to important diagnostic tests like EMG/NCS studies, contact Alpenglow Pain & Wellness online or over the phone today.
