EMG (Electromyography)

Electromyography (EMG) is the test and measurement of nerve and muscle from the spinal cord to the tips of your fingers and toes. The test, technically named ELECTRONEUROMYOGRAPHY, (electro=electrical; neuro=nerve; myo=muscle; and graphy=graphing), is used to determine the viability of these systems when identifying any pathological malfunction. The tests are routinely used to evaluate problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome, pinched nerves in the neck or low back, muscle diseases (muscular dystrophy), and diseases effecting nerve endings (diabetes).

The test is performed in two parts:

A small electrical shock is delivered to the nerve and the time it takes for the electrical pulse to travel the length of the nerve is measured. The response is recorded in thousandths of a second, or in meters per second. The amplitude of the response is also recorded, and measured in millivolts (for motor nerve recordings), and in microvolts (for sensory nerve recordings).
The needle portion of the test is performed by insertion of a very thin wire electrode into the muscle to record the electrical activity within the muscle. This is done to obtain information about the health of the muscle and the nerve supplying the muscle. The nerve is the conduit by which information is passed between the muscle or sensory endings of the nerve, to and from the brain.

For more information on the use of EMG studies, or why one may have been ordered for you, call the staff at CTI physical therapy. Dr. Raymond Schaney, PT, DSc, ECS has been providing electrophysiological studies for over 20 yrs. and is knowledgable in the use of EMG studies for a variety of medical problems.

EMG services are available at the following offices: