Our EMG lab is fully accredited by the AANEM, with exemplary status since 2011. All of our Neurologists at Hartford Neurology, LLC who will be performing your test have specialized training in performing the study and interpreting its results. We ensure that the process is quick and comfortable for you, and that the results are sent to your referring provider in a timely fashion.

The EMG and NCS are performed together to test the health of your peripheral nervous system and muscles. It is used to assess for specific conditions such as:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ulnar neuropathy
• Polyneuropathy
• Cervical and Lumbar Radiculopathy
• Myopathy
• Plexopathy
• Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
• Guillain Barre Syndrome
• ALS
• Hereditary Neuropathies

The test specifically analyzes how well your nerves transmit an electrical signal, and if there are any changes to your muscle fibers.

There are a few things we ask you to do prior to your visit. These include:

• Do not wear lotions, creams, or oils on the day of your exam.
• Wear loose fitting clothing.
• Inform your physician if you are on any blood thinners.
• Otherwise, eat normally and take all your medications as regularly scheduled.

We ask that you arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time to fill out EMG paperwork, and that you bring your current insurance card and valid photo ID. Your EMG appointment may take up to 45 minutes.

When you arrive, you may be asked to change into a gown, and then will be asked to rest comfortably on an exam table for the test.

During the NCS part of the exam, a handheld stimulator will be used to send a small and brief electrical impulse along a nerve. Small sticker electrodes placed on specific parts of your arm or leg will record the speed and amplitude of the transmitted impulse. You should expect to feel small electrical shocks that may feel strange but should not be painful.

For the EMG part of the exam, a small, fine needle is placed into specific muscles. The doctor will ask you to relax that muscle, and then will have you move that muscle in a certain way. This tests your muscle fibers at rest, and on activation. Overall, the test is generally well tolerated and there are no activity restrictions once the test is complete.