If you're concerned about discomfort or pain at any time during the exam, you may want to talk to the neurologist about taking a short break. Depending on what muscles and nerves the neurologist is examining, he or she may ask you to change positions during the exam. He or she will give you instructions on resting and contracting a muscle at appropriate times. The needle electrode may cause discomfort or pain that usually ends shortly after the needle is removed.ĭuring the needle EMG, the neurologist will assess whether there is any spontaneous electrical activity when the muscle is at rest - activity that isn't present in healthy muscle tissue - and the degree of activity when you slightly contract the muscle. When the study is underway, the surface electrodes will at times transmit a tiny electrical current that you may feel as a twinge or spasm. Or the neurologist may insert needle electrodes at different sites depending on your symptoms. To prepare for the study, the neurologist or a technician places surface electrodes at various locations on your skin depending on where you're experiencing symptoms. You'll likely be asked to change into a hospital gown for the procedure and lie down on an examination table.

Have hemophilia, a blood-clotting disorder that causes prolonged bleeding.Have a pacemaker or any other electrical medical device.

Tell the neurologist and other EMG lab personnel if you: The nervous system specialist (neurologist) conducting the EMG will need to know if you have certain medical conditions. Don't apply lotions or creams before the exam.

Take a shower or bath shortly before your exam in order to remove oils from your skin. If you are taking a medication called Mestinon (pyridostigmine), you should specifically ask if this medication should be discontinued for the examination. When you schedule your EMG, ask if you need to stop taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications before the exam. When muscles along the chest wall are examined with a needle electrode, there's a very small risk that it could cause air to leak into the area between the lungs and chest wall, causing a lung to collapse (pneumothorax).

There's a small risk of bleeding, infection and nerve injury where a needle electrode is inserted. EMG is a low-risk procedure, and complications are rare.

Needle emg test painful