EMG Testing in Westfield, NJ

Get Clear Answers About Your Symptoms

Stop wondering what’s causing your numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness—EMG testing provides the precise diagnosis you need.

A healthcare professional attaches electrodes to a patient's fingers and wrist while operating a medical device on a table, possibly for a nerve conduction or electrophysiology test.

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Nerve Conduction Study Specialists

Finally Know What's Wrong

You’ve been dealing with symptoms that don’t make sense. Your hand goes numb at night. Your leg tingles when you sit too long. Your muscles feel weak, but no one can tell you why.

EMG testing changes that. This diagnostic procedure measures the electrical activity in your muscles and nerves, giving us a clear picture of what’s happening inside your body. Instead of guessing about your condition, we get definitive answers.

When the test is complete, you’ll understand exactly which nerves or muscles are affected, how severe the problem is, and what treatment options will actually work for your specific situation. No more uncertainty—just a clear path forward.

Westfield EMG Diagnostic Center

Experience You Can Trust

NY Spine Medicine has been serving patients throughout central New Jersey with advanced diagnostic services and specialized spine care. We focus specifically on conditions affecting the spine, nerves, and muscles—which means we see cases like yours every single day.

Our team includes board-certified physicians who have performed thousands of EMG tests and nerve conduction studies. We understand how to conduct these procedures with minimal discomfort while ensuring accurate, reliable results.

Located conveniently in Westfield, we serve patients from across Union County and surrounding areas who need expert diagnostic care close to home.

A healthcare professional uses a device with electrodes attached to a patient's forearm and fingers to conduct a medical test at a clinic. Both are seated at a table.

EMG Test Procedure Process

What Happens During Your Test

Your EMG testing appointment typically takes 30-60 minutes and involves two main components. First, the nerve conduction study uses small electrical pulses to test how well your nerves transmit signals. You’ll feel brief, mild electrical sensations—similar to static electricity—but nothing painful.

Next comes the electromyography portion, where a thin needle electrode is inserted into specific muscles to measure their electrical activity. The needle is much thinner than those used for blood draws, and most patients describe the sensation as similar to acupuncture.

Throughout the test, you’ll see and hear your nerve and muscle activity displayed on a monitor. We explain what we’re finding in real time, so you understand what’s happening. Once complete, you’ll receive a detailed explanation of the results and what they mean for your treatment options.

A person receives a medical test on their arm using electrodes connected to a diagnostic machine, while a healthcare professional operates the device.

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Comprehensive Muscle Nerve Testing

Complete Diagnostic Evaluation Included

Your EMG testing includes both electromyography and nerve conduction studies in a single appointment. This comprehensive approach tests multiple aspects of your nervous system function, ensuring nothing gets missed.

The evaluation covers the specific areas where you’re experiencing symptoms, whether that’s your hands and arms for suspected carpal tunnel syndrome, your legs for possible sciatica, or other muscle groups showing weakness or pain. Each test is customized based on your particular symptoms and medical history.

You’ll receive detailed results immediately after the procedure, along with a clear explanation of what the findings mean. We’ll discuss how these results connect to your symptoms and outline the most effective treatment approaches for your specific condition.

A person in a white shirt has electrodes attached to their arm, while another person in a lab coat operates a polygraph machine on a table, indicating a lie detector test in progress.
Most patients find EMG testing much more comfortable than they anticipated. The nerve conduction portion feels like brief static electricity sensations—noticeable but not painful. The needle electrode part involves thin needles, much smaller than blood draw needles, inserted into muscles. You’ll feel a quick pinch when the needle goes in, similar to acupuncture, then mild pressure as it moves slightly to test different areas of the muscle. The entire procedure is designed to gather accurate information while minimizing discomfort. Many patients say their anxiety beforehand was worse than the actual test.
EMG testing is highly effective for diagnosing nerve compression disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and sciatica caused by herniated discs. It also identifies peripheral neuropathy from diabetes or other causes, muscle disorders like myopathy, and nerve damage from injuries. The test can pinpoint exactly which nerves are affected and determine the severity of the problem. This precision helps distinguish between similar conditions that cause numbness, tingling, or weakness, ensuring you get the right treatment for your specific diagnosis rather than generic approaches that might not work.
A complete EMG test typically takes 30-60 minutes, depending on how many areas need evaluation. The nerve conduction studies usually take 15-30 minutes, followed by the needle EMG portion. You’ll see your results immediately during the test—the electrical activity appears on a monitor in real time, and we explain what we’re finding as we work. After the procedure, you’ll receive a detailed discussion of all findings and what they mean for your condition. There’s no waiting period for results like with other medical tests.
Preparation for EMG testing is straightforward. Avoid using lotions, oils, or creams on your skin the day of the test, as these can interfere with the electrodes. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to the areas being tested. If you’re on blood-thinning medications, let our office know when scheduling, though most patients can continue their normal medications. You can eat normally before the test and don’t need to stop any regular activities. The main thing is to arrive relaxed—muscle tension can affect some readings, so try not to stress about the procedure.
Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover EMG testing when it’s medically necessary to diagnose your symptoms. The test is considered a standard diagnostic procedure for evaluating nerve and muscle problems, so coverage is typically straightforward. We work with most major insurance providers and will verify your coverage before your appointment. We’ll also provide cost estimates if you have a high deductible or co-pay requirements. If you’re experiencing numbness, tingling, weakness, or unexplained muscle problems, your doctor’s referral usually ensures insurance approval for the testing.
EMG and nerve conduction studies test different parts of your nervous system, which is why we often do them together for a complete picture. Nerve conduction studies measure how fast and strong electrical signals travel along your nerves—like testing the wiring in your house. EMG measures the electrical activity within your muscles themselves—like testing whether the light bulbs work properly. Nerve conduction studies use surface electrodes and small electrical pulses, while EMG uses thin needle electrodes inserted into muscles. Together, they can determine whether your symptoms come from nerve damage, muscle problems, or both, leading to more accurate diagnosis and treatment.