Wear loose-fitting clothing that permits access to the muscles and nerves to be tested. Have had bleeding problems or are taking blood thinning drugs, such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin.ĭo not smoke for at least three hours before the test.You may need to stop taking these three to six days before the test. Certain drugs that act on the nervous system (such as muscle relaxants) can interfere with electromyography results. There are no major risks associated with this test. The test involves placing small needles into the muscles. Problems in a muscle, the nerves controlling a muscle, the spinal cord or the brain can all cause these kinds of symptoms.Įlectromyograms are useful in determining whether there has been pressure on a nerve or nerve root degeneration. Find out the cause of weakness, paralysis, involuntary muscle twitching or other symptoms.
These disorders include a herniated disc, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or myasthenia gravis.
Nerve conduction studies measure how well individual nerves transmit electrical signals to the muscles. Electromyography is usually done with nerve conduction studies. Electromyography measures the electrical impulses of the muscles at rest and when contracted.
