What is EMG?
EMG is the abbreviated name for Electromyography. It is a muscle examination in which the electrical activity that makes muscles contract is monitored and interpreted. Muscle contraction is caused by excitatory electrical potentials transmitted from the brain via nerves.
EMG and nerve conduction studies are an indirect method used to diagnose diseases of the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord, nerve roots, nerve networks, terminal nerves, neuromuscular junctions and muscles, respectively.
It is often used to measure the extent of damage to nerves and muscles in painful conditions caused by herniated discs in the back and neck, compression of end nerves at certain points, sensory defects, some cases of arm and leg weakness, limited or diffuse muscle wasting.
