
Anyone with complaints of weakness, numbness, burning or tingling is a good candidate for an EMG/NCS (Electromyography / Nerve Conduction Studies). The first step to addressing any pain, numbness or weakness is to identify its source, area, and behavior.

Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research 2008.Would an EMG / Nerve Conduction Study help your pain condition? About your electromyography (EMG) examination.


Depending on what muscles and nerves the neurologist is examining, he or she may ask you to change positions during the exam. He or she will give you instructions on resting and contracting a muscle at appropriate times. The needle electrode may cause discomfort or pain that usually ends shortly after the needle is removed.ĭuring the needle EMG, the neurologist will assess whether there is any spontaneous electrical activity when the muscle is at rest - activity that isn't present in healthy muscle tissue - and the degree of activity when you slightly contract the muscle. When the study is underway, the surface electrodes will at times transmit a tiny electrical current that you may feel as a twinge or spasm.
