Understanding an Electromyography Test

The letters “EMG” may sound scary the first time you hear them, especially coming from your doctor’s mouth. However, in reality, they’re nothing to be intimidated by– just a simple, noninvasive medical test.

Dr. Joseph Carfi, a doctor of physical medicine in New Hyde Park, NY, uses this particular exam often. “[An EMG] is a test that actually looks at nerve function,” he says. “As opposed to an imaging study, an MRI or something, which gives you a picture of the structure.” EMGs are useful in determining the location of pinched nerves, and also in identifying neuropathy (numbness in the hands or feet, usually due to complications from diabetes). “It can also be very helpful in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome,” adds Dr. Carfi, “which is essentially a pinched nerve in the wrist…It tells us how the nerves are functioning.”

Written by Danielle Poupore