Electromyogram (EMG’s).

What is an EMG? It is a diagnostic test of nerve and muscle function, performed in a doctor’s office. EMG’s are performed by physiatrists (like Dr. Elert) or neurologists. Patients receive small zaps on the skin, and small needles are placed in different muscles to record their movement.

Is it painful? Less painful than a blood draw, more painful than acupuncture. Are you the type of person who has difficulty with injections or blood draws? Or do you breeze through it? Let that be your guide. Dr. Elert will do everything she can to make the test less intimidating and minimize any discomfort.

Dr. Elert is boarded in electrodiagnostic medicine by the American Board of Electrodiagnostic medicine (ABEM) and has 15 years experience performing and interpreting EMG’s.

emg needle exam

EMG’s are ordered for many reasons, here are some of the most common:

  • numbness/tingles/pain in the hands

  • shooting pain from the neck down the arms

  • numbness/burning/tingles/pain in the feet

  • shooting pain from the low back down the legs

  • new weakness in an arm or leg

EMG’s look for nerve damage, in single nerves (carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical and lumbar radiculopathy) or generalized disorders of nerves such as peripheral neuropathy. EMG’s also assess for myopathy, or disorders of muscle, and disorders of the neuromuscular junction, the connection between nerve and muscle (myasthenia gravis).

Elert Physiatry can typically schedule your EMG within 1-2 days and fax results to your ordering physician/chiropracter/PA/NP within 3 business days.