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Numbness, tingling, burning or weakness in your arms or legs can come from a pinched nerve, nerve damage or a muscle problem. At The Family Pain and Wellness, NCS/EMG testing shows us exactly where the problem is, so your treatment plan is built on answers, not guesses.
Testing is done in our office at our New York, Englewood Cliffs, and Belleville locations.
Small sensors are placed on your skin and a mild electrical pulse is sent along the nerve. We measure how fast and how strongly the signal travels. Slowed or weak signals point to nerve compression or nerve damage.
A very thin needle electrode is placed into selected muscles to record their electrical activity at rest and when you gently tighten them. This shows whether a muscle is healthy or is affected by a nerve or muscle problem.
Numbness, tingling or weakness in the hand and fingers
Tingling in the ring and little fingers, elbow pain
Pain radiating from the neck into the arm, or the back into the leg
Shooting pain, burning or weakness down the back of the leg
Burning or numbness in the feet and hands, including diabetic neuropathy
Muscle weakness, cramping or fatigue without a clear cause
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Your physician reviews your symptoms and decides which nerves and muscles to test.
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Surface sensors and brief electrical pulses. Most patients describe a quick tapping or static-shock feeling.
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A fine needle records muscle activity while you rest and gently contract. Mild, brief discomfort is common.
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We review the findings with you and build a treatment plan around them.
A few simple steps help us get the most accurate results.
Shower the day of your test and skip lotions, creams and oils on your arms and legs.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to roll up.
Eat normally and take your usual medications unless your physician tells you otherwise.
Let us know if you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder.
Bring your insurance card, a photo ID and any prior imaging or test results.
NCS/EMG testing is very safe, and serious complications are rare. Your physician will review your history before testing to keep your risk as low as possible.
Brief discomfort from the electrical pulses or needle during the test
Muscle soreness at the tested sites, usually gone within a day or two
Minor bruising or a small spot of bleeding where the needle was placed
Infection at a needle site, which is uncommon because a sterile, single-use needle is used
Larger bruise or bleeding, more likely in people taking blood thinners or with a bleeding disorder
Take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder
Have a skin infection near the area to be tested
Call us right away if you notice increasing redness, warmth or swelling at a needle site, or a fever after your test. For an emergency, call 911.
Your test is performed and interpreted by board-certified specialists who understand how nerve and muscle problems affect your daily life, and who care about your comfort from start to finish.
Because diagnosis and treatment happen in one place, your results feed straight into your care plan, from injections and nerve blocks to minimally invasive procedures.
With offices in New York, Englewood Cliffs, and Belleville, expert testing is close to home.
Patient Reviews
FAQs
Most patients tolerate it well. The nerve study feels like brief tapping or a static shock, and the EMG needle can cause mild, short-lived discomfort. We go at your pace.
Usually 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how many arms or legs are tested.
Yes. No sedation is used, so you can drive yourself and return to normal activities. Some people notice mild soreness or a small bruise where the needle was placed.
Your physician will review the findings and talk you through what they mean and the next steps for treatment.
NCS/EMG is covered by many insurance plans when medically necessary. Call our office and we will help verify your coverage.
Take The Next Step
If numbness, tingling or weakness has been affecting your daily routine, let our team help you find the cause. Contact The Family Pain and Wellness today to schedule your NCS/EMG test.
