If your physician has recently scheduled you for an EMG (Electromyography) nerve conduction study, you’re probably wondering what you can expect and how to prepare for it. Understanding the procedure will help you prepare for it, providing a smooth experience as part of your diagnostic journey.
What is an EMG Nerve Conduction Study?
An EMG Nerve Conduction Study is a nerve and muscle function diagnostic test. The test will tell you and your doctor if you have any nerve damage or dysfunction. Typically, this test is performed on patients with numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, or pain without an apparent cause. During this safe and painless test, tiny electrodes are placed on the skin or inserted into the muscle to measure electrical activity and nerve response.
How to Prepare for Your Test
Before you get to the medical facility to take your test, you can do a few things at home to make your experience more comfortable and provide better results. You can prepare for your rest by:
- Having Clean Skin: Clean skin matters. On the day of your appointment, make sure you bathe or shower to clear your skin of any natural oils. Do not apply lotions, moisturizers, or creams before your appointment.
- Wearing Loose Clothes: Before you leave the house, make sure you’re wearing something comfortable and loose. This will allow easy access to place the electrodes in the appropriate place, but be prepared to change into a gown if your doctor requests it.
- Asking Your Doctor About Medications: Before your appointment, you should bring a complete list of medications to your doctor. You will likely be advised not to skip any of them on the day of your appointment, but it’s a good idea to be sure, especially if you are taking blood thinners.
- Eating Normally: The good news is that fasting before your appointment is not required. You are encouraged to eat a light meal beforehand to prevent dizziness.
- Refraining from Caffeine and Nicotine: Because these substances can mess with results, your doctor may ask you not to drink coffee or smoke a cigarette up to six hours before your test.
Hopefully, after reading this list, you’ll breathe a bit easier. You’re likely very nervous if this is your first EMG, but preparation really isn’t too scary. The real work is all on your doctor.
What to Expect During the Test
An EMG will usually last between thirty and sixty minutes. In order to measure nerve conduction, your doctor will apply electrodes to your skin. To record electrical activity, a thin needle electrode will then be inserted into your muscles. You might feel a brief, pinching discomfort, but it won’t last long. The test is painless and usually quite bearable for most people.
Recovery and Results
There is no recovery period from an EMG Nerve Conduction Study, which should ease any concerns you may have about the procedure. You might feel some slight soreness or bruising, but these tend to disappear after a day or two and are very minor. Your doctor will review the results with you after they’ve been received, which usually takes just a few days, so be prepared to schedule a follow-up with your doctor before you leave the facility if it hasn’t already been set up for you.
Why Choose Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine for Your EMG?
Our number one priority is your health and comfort. When you choose us for your EMG Nerve Conduction Study, you can expect:
- Experience and Knowledge: Our board-certified physiatrists specialize in musculoskeletal and neurological diagnostics.
- Patient-Centered Care: We listen to our patients and take the time to explain procedures and answer their questions.
- Advanced Diagnostic Equipment: We invest in the latest technology to provide quick and accurate results.
If your doctor has recommended an EMG Nerve Conduction Study, contact Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine in Huntington, NY, today. Let us help you through the process with compassion. In addition to our newest electrodiagnostic medicine testing center in Huntington, EMG and Nerve Conduction Studies are also performed by our board certified and fellowship trained physicians at our East Meadow and Great Neck locations.