EMG/NCV Neurological Testing

The spinal cord is the thick bundle of nerve fibers and tissue that extends from the brain down through the spinal column to the tailbone. Humans have 31 pairs of spinal nerves, eight pairs of neck (cervical) nerves, twelve pairs of upper /middle back (thoracic) nerves, five pairs of lower back (lumbar) nerves, five pairs of pelvis (sacral) nerves and one pair of tailbone (coccygeal) nerves. The nerves are very similar to electrical cables carrying electrical signals from the brain through the spinal cord and into the different muscles.

It’s crucial for the doctor to detect any abnormality in the nerves’ function when dealing with spinal problems. Synergy Wellness Chiropractic and Physical Therapy use specialized nerve tests like EMG and NCV, which are designed to diagnose any defect in nerve function. These studies look deeper into the nervous systems ability to function, while imaging studies like the CT scans, X-ray or MRI scans look at the anatomy or structure of a particular organ or body part.

What is an EMG?

EMG or Electromyography is a technique for assessing and reading the electrical activity produced by your muscles.  An electromyogram detects the small amount of electricity generated by muscle cells via the nerves. We analyze the signals to detect abnormalities in the nerves, muscles and spinal cord. We can target each nerve both in the brachial plexus (neck) or in the lumbar region (low back).

Synergy Wellness Chiropractic & Physical Therapy uses two different types of EMG:

• Intramuscular EMG; The intramuscular EMG is the most common and more accurate of the two. It involves inserting a small needle electrode into the muscle being studied.
• Surface EMG; The Surface EMG (SEMG) is less invasive placing electrodes gently on the skin over the paraspinal muscles to detect the electrical activity of the muscle, muscle tension, and imbalance.

The tests are then evaluated by one of our Chiropractic physician who specializes in chiropractic, physical therapy, and neurology and is trained to perform and interpret the test.

What is it used for; EMG?

EMGs detect abnormal muscle electrical activity in several conditions and diseases, including inflammation of pinched nerves, muscles, damage to nerves in the arms and legs, disc herniation, and degenerative diseases such as Myasthenia Gravis, Lou Gehrig’s disease, muscular dystrophy among others. The EMG helps Synergy Wellness Chiropractic & Physical Therapy in NYC to differentiate between muscle conditions that start in the muscle versus nerve disorders that cause muscle weakness.

What is an NCV test?

NCV, or Nerve Conduction Velocity, is an electrical diagnostic test that provides information about abnormal conditions in the nerves. Nerves are stimulated with small electrical impulses by one electrode while other electrodes detect the electrical impulse “down-stream” from the first electrode. The resulting nerve impulses are then measured, and the physician interprets the outcome. The NCV test is typically done at the same time as the EMG to exclude or detect both muscle and nerve conditions.

What is NCV used for?

NCV measures the distance between electrodes and the time it takes for electrical impulses to travel are used to calculate the speed of transmission. Slower than usual speed could indicate nerve damage from direct trauma, diabetic or peripheral neuropathy, viral nerve infection or nerve entrapment diseases like the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome among other conditions.

What is the benefit of these tests?

The specialized electrical nerve tests are the only studies that directly assess the functioning of the body’s neurological system. EMG/NCV is an extremely useful and informative test.