The neurologist will insert an electrode needle into the muscle to check its activity only once, but depending on the extent of testing, you may have to take several insertions over a period of time. The procedure is not painful in itself, except that you feel a twinge or a mild shock when the needle is inserted into the muscle. This is comparable to giving blood. However, you must communicate your discomfort to the doctor if the pain becomes unbearable. There might be slight muscle soreness for up to a few days.

Abnormal EMG would indicate neuromuscular problems like nerve or muscle deficit and dysfunction, neuropathy, muscle degeneration/dystrophy, compressed nerves, nerve and muscle injuries, or diseases. An abnormal EMG will produce odd patterns, graphs, and sounds on the monitor. In an abnormal reading, the doctor will detect an activity even when the muscle is at rest, or will find it abnormal during muscle contraction.

The electromyography test can take anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the extent of the test, i.e., how many nerves and muscles are being tested. During the test, the neurologist studies and listens intently to the electrical signals that travel from the electrode needles to the screening monitor.

Yes, the EMG test results can be effective in diagnosing nerve damage, and assessing the extent of the damage. However, like any other diagnostic procedure, the test results are not 100% foolproof.

The EMG can detect nerve and muscle dysfunction, neuromuscular diseases, nerve and muscle injuries, movement problems, muscle degeneration and dystrophy, and other conditions like cervical spondylosis, sciatica, polymyositis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Lou Gehrig’s disease, myasthenia gravis, carpal tunnel syndrome, Guillain Barre syndrome, Lambert Eaton syndrome, herniated disc, etc.

There is a slight tingly feeling when the needle electrodes are inserted into the muscle to record its activity during a nerve conduction study. The experienced pain of the test never exceeds a moderate level. It could be a 4 or a 5 on 10 depending on the severity of the shock one receives when a muscle is stimulated.

The electromyography test is an important diagnostic tool to evaluate muscle and nerve health. Nerve cells control muscle movement, and the test results can be used to assess a wide range of neuromuscular problems like nerve and muscle damage/dysfunction/dystrophy/ diseases, and a variety of conditions like ALS, sciatica, cervical spondylosis, herniated disc, polymyositis, myasthenia gravis, etc.

A positive EMG test will record the abnormal electrical activity of a muscle when it contracts under stimulation. This would indicate a nerve or a muscle disorder, and the neurologist may advise further clinical tests to identify the exact problem and to prepare a treatment plan for you.

An EMG test helps a doctor to ascertain if you are suffering from any of the nerve/muscle disorders or conditions when you show symptoms like muscle weakness, muscle cramps, twitching, spasms, numbness in any part of the body like the face, hands, arms, legs, feet, etc, or muscle paralysis.