Electrodiagnostic Testing;
Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Studies   

 

What it is: EMG can measure the electrical activity of muscles.  NCS can measure the: speed and intensity of electrical signals that travel along nerves and the time it takes muscles to respond to these signals.

  

What it does:  EMG and NCS are important diagnostic tools.  They can help: detect the cause of problems, such as muscle weakness, numbness, spasms, paralysis or pain.  They can also determine if the problem involves the nerves, muscles, spinal cord or brain.

  

How it’s done:  Nerve and muscle cells produce tiny amounts of electricity.  Nerves send electrical signals to muscles, telling them to contract or relax. Muscles produce electrical activity when they move. 

If nerves or muscles are affected by injury, disease or another condition, their electrical activity changes.  EMG and NCS equipment detects changes in electrical activity.  Electrodes record the electrical activity of muscles or nerves. A computer displays, analyzes, stores and prints the data.  A monitor displays the electrical activity in wave patterns.  Speakers allow the electrical activity to be heard.

 

Why it’s done: EMG and NCS can help diagnose:

  1. Pinched nerves and inflamed muscles due to injury, a ruptured disk, disease or other conditions.

  2. Carpal tunnel syndrome, which is pressure on a major nerve,
    causing pain in the wrist or hand.

  1. Primary muscle disorders, such as muscular dystrophy (a disease that causes certain muscles to waste away).

  2. Neuromuscular disorders, such as myasthenia gravis (a defect in nerve impulses that causes chronic muscle weakness.

  1. Nerve disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

 

*Excerpts taken from, “About EMG and NCS”, published in 1994 by Channing L. Bete Co, Inc., 200 State Rd, South Deerfield, MA  01373

 

 Other Services

Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy

Botulinum Toxin Therapy

Electrodiagnostic Testing;
Electromyography and
 Nerve Conduction Studies

Pain Management

Percutaneous Neuromodulation Therapy