EMG Specialist
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Suffolk Spine & Joint Medical
Mike M. Pappas, D.O.
Physiatrist & Sports Medicine and Pain Management Specialist located in Riverhead, NY & Northport, NY
If you have unexplained tingling or numbness in your body, odds are the problem lies in your nerves. At Suffolk Spine and Joint Medical, Mike M. Pappas, DO, specializes in electrodiagnostic testing, including electromyography, helping patients in Riverhead, Northport, and Ronkonkoma, New York, get to the bottom of their problems. With over 10,000 nerve studies under his belt, Dr. Pappas has had great success in getting his clients the help they need. To learn more about electromyography, call one of the three locations or use the online scheduling button.
Electromyography (EMG)
What is electromyography?
Your peripheral nervous system is a vast and complex network of nerves that control everything from sensation to function. Because this system is intricately connected, a problem in one area can radiate out, making locating the source of the issue a little trickier.
With electromyography, Dr. Pappas uses specialized equipment to test the health of your nerves and muscles to see if, and where, a dysfunction exists.
To better understand how the test works, it’s helpful to review how your nerves and muscles work together. Your muscle contractions are controlled by electrical signals emitted by your motor neurons. And a disruption in this signaling can cause muscle dysfunction.
Of course, your problem may stem from nerve dysfunction alone, which is why an electromyography (EMG) test looks for problems in both areas. Using a needle or electrodes, Dr. Pappas can determine the electrical activity in your muscles, as well as the speed and strength of the signaling within your nerves.
Why would I need electromyography?
The most common reason people seek the experienced guidance of Dr. Pappas is that of unexplained tingling or numbness in their bodies. In addition to these complaints, you may also experience muscle weakness and pain, and even organ dysfunction, such as your bladder or bowel.
Through his EMG testing, Dr. Pappas locates the source of the problem in order to better figure out what’s causing it. There are many reasons why your nerves may be compromised, including:
- Trauma
- Diabetes
- Infections
- Exposure to toxins
- Muscle disorders, such as muscular dystrophy
- Nerve compression issues, such as sciatica and carpal tunnel syndrome
In less common cases, there are diseases that affect how your muscles and nerve interact, which is the case with myasthenia gravis.
What happens after my electrodiagnostic testing?
Once Dr. Pappas conducts his electrodiagnostic testing, he has a better idea of where your problem originates from — your nerves or your muscles. Armed with this information, he conducts further testing to find the underlying cause.
If your diagnosis falls under his purview, Dr. Pappas treats it using a conservative, nonsurgical approach. If he finds something larger that requires surgery or specialized medical attention, he helps you find a medical team that can carry you the rest of the way.
If you’d like to get to the bottom of your tingling or numbness, call Suffolk Spine and Joint Medical to learn about electromyography. Or you can use the online scheduling button to set up an appointment.
