Symptoms of numbness, tingling, pain and discomfort can be alarming, especially when you don’t know what is causing the issue. An EMG, or Electromyogram, is a study conducted by a physician to find the cause of these sensations. An EMG test measures the electrical activity in muscles and nerves and determines where there may be a problem.
There are two components to an EMG test: the nerve conduction study and the needle EMG. Both can help determine whether there is a muscle problem or problems in the nerves that control the muscle. The first step is the nerve conduction study, which allows doctors to evaluate a muscle’s ability to respond to nerve stimulation. The second is the placement of one or more small needles, or electrodes, in the muscle, which determines if electrical signals are normal.
EMG testing is an essential diagnostic tool that gives insight to disease or injury. The test is conducted in an exam room and usually takes less than 45 minutes to perform. The results are charted by a graph and interpreted by your physician. It is a beneficial tool in determining a proper treatment plan for you going forward.
Some conditions that can be diagnosed with EMG testing are:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Peripheral Neropathy
- Sciatica
- Herniated Disc
- Guillain- Barre Syndrome
- Ulnar (Funny Bone) Neuropathy
- Cervical or Lumbar Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve in the Neck or Low Back)
- Other Peripheral Nerve Entrapments
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- We had the chance to visit with Azalea Orthopedics’
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician, Dr. Jerry Schwarzbach
- , to discuss the EMG process. Chase, Marketing Director at Azalea, experiences the first step of the EMG testing process and speaks to Dr. Jerry Schwarzbach about the importance of testing and finding the right candidate for testing.
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Our goal is to walk our patients through the entire healing process, from diagnosing an injury to full rehabilitation. Azalea Orthopedics is the largest orthopedic group in East Texas. We have several physicians who offer EMG testing along with the knowledge to treat your problem accordingly. For an appointment or consultation with one of our EMG specialists, please click here, or call our scheduling team 903-939-7500.
