What is an electromyography?

Electromyography (EMG) measures muscle response or electrical activity in response to a nerve’s stimulation of the muscle. The test is used to help detect neuromuscular abnormalities. During the test, one or more small needles (also called electrodes) are inserted through the skin into the muscle.

What is the principle of electromyography?

EMG (electromyography) records the movement of our muscles. It is based on the simple fact that whenever a muscle contracts, a burst of electric activity is generated which propagates through adjacent tissue and bone and can be recorded from neighboring skin areas.

What are the types of electromyography?

There are two kinds of EMG: surface EMG and intramuscular EMG. Surface EMG assesses muscle function by recording muscle activity from the surface above the muscle on the skin. Surface EMG can be recorded by a pair of electrodes or by a more complex array of multiple electrodes.

What is electromyography and what are its applications?

The Electromyography (EMG) is a neurophysiological technique for examining the electrical activity of skeletal muscles. The source of electrical signal in EMG is the muscle membrane potential. The biosignal recorded from a muscle or its fibers reflects the anatomical and physiological properties of the motor system.

Why is an EMG so painful?

Pain is commonly associated with EMG, because the procedure involves the use of needles and electric shock. Not only friends and relatives who have had a previous EMG experience, but also physicians can sometimes discourage patients from undergoing EMG, believing that the test is very painful and of little benefit (1).

What diseases can an EMG detect?

An EMG can be used to diagnose a wide variety of neuromuscular diseases, motor problems, nerve injuries, or degenerative conditions, such as:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Cervical spondylosis.
• Guillain-Barre syndrome.
• Lambert-Eaton syndrome.
• Muscular dystrophy.
• Myasthenia gravis.

What should you not do before an EMG?

How do I prepare for electromyography?

• Avoid smoking for at least three hours before the procedure.
• Bathe or take a shower to remove any oils from the skin. Don’t apply any lotions or creams after washing.
• Wear comfortable clothing that doesn’t obstruct the area that your doctor will be evaluating.

What is EMG frequency?

The frequency of an EMG signal is between 0 to 500 Hz. However, the usable energy of EMG signal is dominant between 50-150 Hz.

Can you be sedated for an EMG?

It is rare that patients need sedation. If you feel you need something, Valium or one of its relatives, (Xanax, Ativan), is usually prescribed. You need to be awake for the procedure, so whatever you take should allow you to be relaxed and not asleep. Plan on resuming normal activities after the procedure.