Nerve conduction studies & electromyography (EMG)

Nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG) tests check how your nerves and muscles work.

• A nerve conduction study measures how fast signals travel in your nerves and to your muscles. 
• An EMG looks at the electrical activity in your muscles when you are resting and when you move.

You may receive these tests if you have tingling, numbness, muscle weakness, cramps or pain. The results can find nerve damage or muscle problems. 

Conditions that can cause these symptoms include:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Herniated disc
• Muscular dystrophy

To get ready for the test, follow these steps:

• Clean your skin. Shower or bathe before the test to remove oils. Avoid lotions, creams or sprays, as they can affect the electrodes on your skin.
• Wear loose clothes. You may need to change into a hospital gown.
• Bring a list of your medications. Take your usual medicines unless you are told to stop certain ones, like blood thinners.
• Request an interpreter. If you do not speak English well enough for medical conversations, let us know when you schedule the test. We will arrange a medical interpreter for you.

Before the test starts, we will ask about your symptoms. We will also check your movement and sensation where you are experiencing problems.

You may have one or both of these tests:

1. Nerve conduction studies
   Small patches, called electrodes, are placed on your skin above the nerve being tested. A small electrical impulse stimulates the nerve. You may feel a brief tingling or twitching sensation. This test records the size of the response and how long it takes for your nerves to send signals in your arms or legs.
2. Electromyogram
   We will clean the skin over the muscles being tested. A small needle electrode will be placed in your muscle to record its electrical activity. You may feel a quick pinch when the needle is inserted. You will be asked to relax your muscles and tighten them. The needle connects to a computer that collects the data. We may need to test several muscles to get enough information.

The entire process can take about an hour.

You may feel some soreness or see minor bruising where the needle was inserted. This usually goes away in a few days. If the bruising lasts longer or you feel discomfort, contact your doctor.

The results will be sent to your family doctor and the referring doctor within two weeks.

The Indigenous Wellness Liaison Team is here to support your health journey. Team members offer cultural support and healthcare advocacy. Learn more below or call them at 604-682-2344,62937 or email IWL@providencehealth.bc.ca