At Waukegan Medical and Rehabilitation, we are pleased to give our clients access to the highest quality diagnostic testing. Electromyography testing, better known as EMG testing, is one of the most important tools that we use to help us diagnose nervous system problems and to evaluate nervous system function.

What EMG Testing Does

Dr. Bracic conducts EMG testing on patients who may be having issues with their muscle function or with their nervous system in general. The EMG test measures both muscle reactions and nerve impulses to get a clear picture of what type of problems the patient is having.

Motor neurons, a type of nerve cell, are responsible for sending directives to your muscles in the form of electrical impulses. These impulses instruct your muscles about how to move, how to contract, how to relax, and when to do each of these things.

These electrical impulses can be measured and evaluated using an EMG test. After an EMG test, Dr. Bracic will generate a graph that can be studied to determine how extensive muscular problems are and how faulty nerve impulses are impacting the whole body.

EMG tests allow for a very detailed picture of the physical problems you are having, and they are therefore extremely useful as a launching pad for a full recovery plan. Recovery plans may include chiropractic adjustment, therapeutic massage, strength building exercises, and physical therapy. Even patients with chronic pain or severe pain can typically expect to have a chance at a full scale recovery thanks to the information provided by an EMG test.

Preparing For Your EMG Test

When your EMG test is scheduled, we will typically give you a few specific instructions to help you best prepare for the test. Usually, these guidelines will include avoiding all use of lotion or cream on any portion of the body that will be tested.

In the colder months of the year, we will also allow a few minutes for you to warm up before we get started on the test. A very low skin temperature could cause irregular test results, so we try to make sure that you’re fully comfortable and your skin is at its normal temperature prior to starting the EMG test.

EMG testing will involve an extremely thin needle, which Dr. Bracic will place directly into the muscle area causing the problems. The needle contains the electrode, and it is so fine that it rarely causes any pain. You may have some mild bruising and discomfort after the test, but this typically resolves itself quite quickly.

Once the electrode is in the muscle, you will be asked to move in different ways so that readings can be generated. Every time you move the electrode will note the electrical impulses that were generated. This pattern of impulses will then be charted on the graph.

If you have any questions about EMG testing, please feel free to contact us anytime!