I used to work in the EMG department of a hospital. It is not a bad test, and most WOMEN can take it and it's the MEN that can't LOL sorry guys. I've seen the littlelest old ladies go in and come out without a peep, and the biggest guy cop go in and whine and yell through the whole thing!! It's an irritating feeling, and quick, it's not this long lasting zapping, they take an electrode (flat piece of metal with wire on it that they tape to your leg with conduction gel) and needle and seperate the 2 and the computer will transer the information on how long and how strong of a response that goes between the 2 on each set of tests Its an Elecromyleogram, or Nerve Conduction Velocity Test. Some refer to it as little bee stings other a zap, but its more like a 'wave' if you ask me. I've seen hundreRAB done and have only noticed one man who was SEVERE with RAW HORRID NERVE PAINS I mean he was in agony even before his test, and he yelled. You CAN have the test stopped at any momment, or for an area as well if it's too much for you.
They measure the response of the nerve and conduction recieved. and how well/strong it is transmitted. if you just breathe and stay calm and ask them to tell you before it comes it makes it easier than just getting a wave hit you and you don't know it. Some places the needle they use can be like 2" long, BUT they only put it in the length of say when you go for acupuncture, it looks icky, but truly they hardly use much of that needle in your skin.
They test your bad leg (or whatever arm etc) and then compare to your good leg, they just do a few series of sets the test at my place was about 20 minutes. you wear a gown, but if you wear a tank top (If upper extremity) or some shorts that are loose (lower extremity) you can get away with not having to change. Don't use lotion before you go, especially that thick kind as they use tape to place the electrodes and some 'goop'. A Neurologist ususally preforms the test and you should know your results or findings right after at some places.
It tests your sensory nerves and motor nerves so approx 4-5 nerves at the most for a b/l LE test. (bilateral lower extremity). Your good leg is just used as a baseline to compare.
The computer does all the 'work' transferring the data onto a graph with dots and lines to show how the signal transferred down the nerve length. The doc just translates the graph and it actually can pinpoint which disc area or nerve is a problem or has no response or weakened responses. People get them for carpal tunnel, disc problems, trigger fingers, and so on.
Good luck! It's not that bad at all.
....so, I wouldn't worry about this too much-take care--janiee:wave: