The non-narcotic, spine and nerve pain, Osteopathic Manipulation, Trigger Point Injections, Nerve Testing, EMG MD in Oklahoma City
About The Test: An EMG is a two-part nerve test that involves reading the electrical signals of your nerves and muscles to figure out the cause of your pain, numbness, tingling, and/or weakness. It provides information about how the muscles and nerves are acting, whereas MRI and CT scans may show how the nerves and muscle look. Typically, doctors put both kinds of information together (how the nerves look on MRI and how the nerves act on EMG) to figure out where the problem lies. The test was first developed in the mid-1940’s to test for the location of nerve injuries suffered by WW2 veterans, but computer technology has markedly advanced our ability to complete the test much faster and more efficiently than in the old days. Don’t worry, the test may be uncomfortable at times, but it can be completed quickly. In most cases, you’ll even get the results at the end of the test!
Please BATHE beforehand: Don’t use lotion soap or apply lotion to the limbs! As long as you don’t plan to drive, you may take your pain/anxiety medicine in preparation for the test. Taking those medicines will not at all interfere.
When Visiting: Please do not bring children or other guests. They will not be allowed into the EMG room with you.
Please arrive 20-30 minutes early for paperwork, or even earlier if you need extra time (e.g. if your hands hurt because of carpal tunnel or you have trouble seeing/reading the questions). Even better, PRINT our NEW PATIENT PAPERWORK, fill it out at home, and bring the completed copy with you! In that case, please arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
Please be patient and wait at least 2 weeks after the referral is initiated before expecting a call from us with your appointment date and time. A lot of paperwork is involved from your referring doctor and us to set up the test!
Please respond to our phone/email requests for you to confirm your appointment! We set aside LOTS of time for this test, and we need to make sure that you plan to come in so we can hold the spot for you. If you fail to confirm but show up for your appointment, anyway, you may be turned away, and your appointment may (or may not) be rescheduled.
Consider the test to be as important as a surgery that you schedule, so please do not cancel at the last minute or no-show! The test is performed personally by the physician (not by a tech or PA), and the doctor reserves a LOT of time to be able to give you answers. We typically do not extend “second chances” to patients who fail to respect our policies, so, in case you feel an illness coming on, do not wait until the last minute to tell us. Call AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE so that we can take a patient off of the waiting list and put him or her in your spot.
To Cancel/Move Your Appointment, 24 Weekday Hours’ Notice Is Required! YOU WILL BE CHARGED A $25 FEE if you no-show or cancel late. “Twenty-four Weekday Hours Notice” means that if your appointment is at 10am on MONDAY, you must call to reschedule/cancel BEFORE 10am on the PREVIOUS FRIDAY. Or, if your appointment is at 2pm on Tuesday, you must call before 2pm the day before.