How an EMG Test Works and What It Can Reveal

If you’re scheduled for an upcoming electromyography (EMG) test, you may wonder how it works and what it can reveal. Read on as we answer both of these questions in this article.

When your doctor at Link Neuroscience Institute suspects a problem with your muscles or nerves, they may recommend an electromyography (EMG) test. This simple diagnostic tool helps uncover what’s really happening beneath the surface.

It can even help pinpoint whether symptoms like weakness, tingling, or numbness stem from a muscle disorder or a nerve issue.

Below, our team of experts explains exactly how EMG tests work and what they can reveal.

What is an EMG test?

Your muscles produce electrical signals. To be exact, the neuromuscular junction is the connection between a nerve cell and a muscle fiber. It transmits electrical signals as chemical messages (neurotransmitters) from your nerve to your muscle and triggers a muscle contraction.

An EMG measures this electrical activity in your muscles. If your nerves or muscles aren’t functioning properly, those signals can look different, and that’s exactly what the EMG helps detect.

During the test, your Link Neuroscience Institute provider inserts a very thin, sterile needle electrode into specific muscles. The electrode records the electrical activity while your muscle is at rest and when it contracts.

This information is displayed as waves on a monitor, where our team can analyze patterns and determine if there are signs of nerve or muscle damage.

What can an EMG reveal?

Our team of neurologists can use your EMG results to identify a wide range of neuromuscular conditions, including:

Peripheral neuropathy
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Radiculopathy
Muscular dystrophy
Myasthenia gravis
Nerve complications
Guillain-Barré syndrome
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease)

We often paired an EMG test with a nerve conduction velocity study, which measures how fast and strong electrical signals travel through your nerves. Together, these tests provide a complete picture of your nerve and muscle health.

What to expect during an EMG

An EMG is usually done in an outpatient setting and takes about an hour, depending on how many muscles are tested. You may feel a pinch or some mild discomfort when the needle electrodes are inserted.

Afterward, you might have slight soreness that fades within a day.

What to expect after your EMG

If you’re experiencing muscle weakness, tingling, or unexplained pain, an EMG can help your care team get answers faster.

Once you know exactly what’s causing your symptoms, you get started with more targeted treatment, whether that means physical therapy, medication, or addressing an underlying nerve issue.

Can you benefit from an EMG?

If you’ve been living with unexplained muscle or nerve symptoms, don’t wait. Schedule an evaluation today and get one step closer to relief. You might benefit from one if you have numbness, pain, or weakness. In fact, numbness accounts for 73% of all EMG tests ordered.

To make an appointment, you can also call the location closest to you: Camarillo, Santa Barbara, or Oxnard, California.