Electrodiagnosis (EMG/NCS)
To provide effective treatment for patients suffering from chronic pain or recovering from injury, a comprehensive evaluation is needed for a diagnosis. Finding the cause of the pain or functional issues is the first step in designing an effective treatment plan. At Medici Spine & Pain, we use advanced methods to diagnose problems that can cause dysfunction in the body, including electrodiagnosis EMG/NCS.
Electrodiagnostic testing is used to evaluate the electrical efficiency in the muscles and nerves of the body. Both electromyogram (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) can be effective diagnostic tools to gauge the electrical activity in the muscles and nerves. EMG and NCS are generally used for diagnosing pinched or stretched nerve injuries, like carpal tunnel, muscle diseases and metabolic nerve diseases, that cause pain and dysfunction in the body.
How Does an EMG Work?
An EMG tests the function of a muscle. A needle electrode is placed into the muscle to test it at rest and when it is contracted. The electrical activity of the muscle is measured. These measurements can help our physicians understand and diagnose muscle diseases or other issues that may be causing pain or muscle dysfunction.
How Does a Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) Work?
A NCS is performed to evaluate the performance of nerves. A probe is used to deliver an electrical impulse to the nerve to stimulate a response. Several factors are measured during the test to determine the characteristics of the nerve, usually compared to a “control” nerve that is functioning correctly.
Electrodiagnosis can be a vital tool used to pinpoint the cause of pain and functional issues in the body. It is one of the many advanced methods we use at Medici Spine & Pain to help understand the source of dysfunction in our patients that affects their quality of life.
Contact our practice today to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists.