Bring insurance forms to be completed.

It is rare for a patient be unable to drive after the test.

Call your primary care physician if post-procedural discomfort lasts more than 24 hours.

Let your physician know who your primary care doctor is so they can forward a copy of the results to this physician or any other physicians who should receive copies of the results.

It is rare that post-procedural pain is sufficient to warrant time off from work.

Plan on resuming normal activities after the procedure.

You need to be awake for the procedure, so whatever you take should allow you to be relaxed and not asleep. If you feel you need something, Valium or one of its relatives, (Xanax, Ativan), is usually prescribed.

If you feel you need sedation, please contact your regular or referring doctor for a prescription.

If you feel you may need pain medication after the procedure, please contact your primary care physician.

Inform your physician if you have a pacemaker or other electrical device (spinal cord stimulator, etc.), although these devices are not a contraindication to the test.In general, for EMG/NCS, prophylactic antibiotics are not required, but that decision should be made by your regular doctor. Inform your primary care physician in advance if you have a condition for which you would normally take antibiotics such as dental work, a heart murmur, an artificial heart valve, an artificial joint, etc.

Inform your physician if you have a tendency to pass out with needling so they can alleviate your nervousness.

You do not need to stop them, but it is important for them to know you are taking them.

Inform your physician if you take anti-coagulants such as Plavix or Coumadin.

For neck and arm studies, it is helpful to wear a sleeveless shirt.

Take all of your medications as you normally would.

More involved studies, such as conditions affecting more than one extremity, may take more than an hour. The length of a study varies depending on the condition.

Your appointment with the physician, including the test, will take approximately 45 to 60 minutes.

Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment for the check-in process.

WHEN PREPARING FOR YOUR EMG OR NCS PLEASE REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING.

Emg test for lower back pain