Understanding The Results Of Your EMG

Electromyography

Whenever your muscles are painful or weak, or when you suffer numbness, tingling, or any other strange feeling, there might be an issue with your nerves or muscles. As such, your doctor may suggest an Electromyography (EMG). An EMG is a nerve conduction test that assesses the reaction of a muscle to its controlling nerve. This test accomplishes this by monitoring the electrical activity of the muscle during rest, a mild or strong contraction. Nonetheless, an EMG is only one diagnostic tool. At Sleep Services of Maryland LLC, the physicians assess the outcomes based on other diagnostic procedures and clinical data. Arrange an appointment today to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Meanwhile, check out this post to learn how to interpret the results of your EMG Germantown.

How Does a Typical EMG Result Appear?

Typically, an EMG measurement of a muscle at rest will not reveal any electrical impulses. Once it contracts, electrical impulses will appear as a wavy line or an action potential. The magnitude and form of the action potential provide your physician with details about the muscle’s responsiveness to the nerve that regulates it. An EMG of a healthy muscle reveals a clear action potential.

How Does an Abnormal EMG Result Appear?

Unusual EMG readings might manifest in two distinct ways. Initially, the muscle might exhibit electrical activity at rest. Alternatively, upon contraction, the muscle might exhibit aberrant electrical activity; this manifests as an aberrant action potential sequence with alterations in wave size or form. Unusual EMG readings could suggest muscular injury or an issue with the muscles’ controlling nerves.

How Do Physicians Utilize EMG Results?

An EMG provides your physician with five broad types of information concerning muscle activity:

v  Activity: Is the muscle activating and deactivating ordinarily? Healthy muscles contract while necessary and relax when no action is required. An EMG test will detect the electrical activity that occurs whenever a muscle contracts. Persistent muscular activity on an EMG could suggest an issue, like muscle spasticity.

v  Timing: Does the muscle contract at the ideal time? An EMG can also detect when a muscle is in use. Your physician will examine the duration of muscle activity throughout a motion or in contrast with other muscles. This evaluation provides your physician with information regarding the sequence of muscle activity and whether or not it is typical.

v  Level: How active is the muscle compared to a healthy muscle? An EMG test measures the level of muscular activity. In other terms, the amount of exertion necessary by a muscle during a motion.

v  Comparison: Is the muscle more or less functional? The comparison might be between different body sides, under different circumstances, or in another context.

v  Fatigue: How quickly do the muscles tire? This last element measures muscular exhaustion. This assessment allows your physician to determine which muscles are weak and could be beneficial in the diagnosis of problems like low back pain. Additionally, your physician can establish if your strengthening workouts are effective.

Do not allow nerve or muscular issues to affect your everyday life. Now that you understand an EMG and how it works, you can work with your specialist at Sleep Services of Maryland LLC to get to the bottom of your concerns. Arrange an appointment today to discuss your concerns and explore your care options. Call the Germantown or Rockville, MD office, or use the online scheduling tool to get started right away.

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