If you’re living with unexplained numbness, tingling, weakness, or radiating pain, an EMG test can pinpoint exactly which nerve or muscle is the source of the problem — before it’s guessed at with medication or surgery. At Physique Medical Clinic, our in-house EMG laboratory in Murrysville, PA gives patients throughout Pittsburgh and the surrounding communities direct access to accurate, physician-performed EMG testing with nerve conduction studies (NCS), without the long wait times typical of hospital referral programs.
EMG, or electromyography, measures the electrical activity produced by your muscles, while a nerve conduction study measures how quickly and efficiently electrical signals travel along a nerve. Performed together, EMG with nerve conduction testing gives Dr. Nicole Burns, DO, a complete picture of how your nerves and muscles are communicating — helping to confirm or rule out conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, pinched nerves, sciatica, and other causes of chronic pain identified during our interventional spine treatment evaluations.
Searching for “EMG testing near me” shouldn’t mean settling for a rushed appointment or a months-long wait. As a dedicated EMG laboratory serving Pittsburgh, Murrysville, and the greater Westmoreland and Allegheny County area, we combine same-clinic diagnostic testing with a clear treatment plan, so you’re never left wondering what’s next.
What Is EMG Testing?
EMG testing is a two-part diagnostic study used to evaluate the health of your muscles and the nerve cells that control them:
- Electromyography (EMG): A thin needle electrode is inserted into specific muscles to record their electrical activity at rest and during contraction.
- Nerve Conduction Study (NCS): Small electrodes placed on the skin deliver a mild electrical pulse to measure how fast and how well a nerve signal travels.
Together, EMG with nerve conduction testing helps identify whether symptoms are coming from a nerve, a muscle, or the point where they connect — critical information for building an accurate, targeted treatment plan.
Conditions Diagnosed With EMG Testing
Our physicians frequently order EMG and nerve conduction studies to evaluate:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome and other nerve entrapments
- Pinched nerves and radiculopathy from disc herniations
- Sciatica and lower back nerve pain
- Peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands or feet)
- Nerve damage related to degenerative disc disease
- Muscle weakness associated with myopathy or other muscle disorders
- Unexplained muscle twitching, cramping, or loss of strength
Benefits of EMG Testing at Physique Medical Clinic
- Accurate, objective diagnosis of nerve and muscle conditions
- On-site EMG laboratory — no outside referral or long hospital wait times
- Testing performed directly by an experienced physician
- Results help guide a precise, personalized treatment plan
- Minimally invasive, outpatient procedure
- Rules out — or confirms — the true source of pain, numbness, or weakness
- Seamless coordination with our musculoskeletal and spine care team
- Convenient location serving both Pittsburgh and Murrysville patients
What to Expect During Your EMG Test
Your EMG test typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on how many muscles and nerves need to be evaluated. During the nerve conduction portion, you may feel a brief, mild tingling sensation as small electrical pulses are applied. During the EMG portion, a fine needle electrode is placed into select muscles to record activity — most patients describe this as a brief pinch or ache rather than significant pain. There is no sedation required, and you can drive yourself home and resume normal activities immediately afterward.
Why Choose Physique Medical Clinic for EMG Testing
Dr. Nicole Burns, DO, brings a comprehensive, whole-body approach to diagnosing and treating nerve and musculoskeletal pain. Rather than sending patients out for testing and waiting weeks for results and a follow-up, our EMG laboratory allows diagnosis and treatment planning to happen under one roof — as part of the same coordinated care you’ll find across our musculoskeletal care and interventional spine programs. If your test reveals a nerve or muscle issue, Dr. Burns can move directly into discussing treatment options, from conservative care to interventional and regenerative therapies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an EMG test diagnose?
EMG testing helps diagnose conditions affecting the nerves and muscles, including carpal tunnel syndrome, pinched nerves, radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and muscle disorders. It’s often used alongside a nerve conduction study to determine whether pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness is coming from a nerve or a muscle problem.
Is EMG testing painful?
Most patients tolerate EMG testing well. The nerve conduction portion involves brief, mild electrical pulses, and the EMG portion involves a thin needle electrode that may cause momentary discomfort. There is no need for sedation, and any soreness typically resolves within a day.
How long does an EMG test take?
Most EMG and nerve conduction studies take between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the number of muscles and nerves being tested and the complexity of your symptoms.
How should I prepare for my EMG test?
Avoid applying lotions or oils to your skin on the day of testing, and wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the muscles being tested. If you take blood thinners, let your provider know beforehand.
Will my results be available the same day?
Because EMG testing is performed and interpreted directly by our physician, patients typically receive their results and next steps at the same visit or shortly after, rather than waiting weeks for an outside report.
For more background on how electrodiagnostic testing works, the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine offers additional patient resources on EMG and nerve conduction studies.
Schedule your EMG test in Pittsburgh or Murrysville, PA today.
Call Physique Medical Clinic at (412) 827-0033 or contact us online to find out if EMG testing with nerve conduction is right for you.