If you do have pain, let the neurologist know so he or she can make adjustments.Īfter the completion of the test, the technician or neurologist removes the electrodes. Many people do not notice much, if any, discomfort throughout the test. During the test, a machine measures the nerve’s activity during different muscle actions, and a technician takes notes about the data. You may also need to move the muscle in different directions so the neurologist can get a complete picture of what is going on. This may include slight contractions, resting, and strong contractions. The person conducting the EMG test may ask you to perform different actions involving your muscle. The number of electrodes used varies depending on the area of study, symptoms, and other factors.

Next, he or she either attaches adhesive electrodes to the skin or inserts needle electrodes into multiple areas of the muscle. The neurologist applies an antiseptic to the muscle to make sure it is clean. Depending on the testing location, you either lay down or sit in a chair for the procedure. The person performing the test locates the muscle.

To begin, you remove all clothing, accessories such as jewelry and glasses and any metal objects on you so that the neurologist has clear access to the muscle and surrounding area. A neurologist is present for the procedure, as is a technician. Another question that you may have is what is an EMG test like? In most cases, the EMG test occurs as an outpatient procedure, unless your injuries are more severe and you are in the hospital.

Emg test pain afterwards