03 Jun The Power of Advanced Nerve Testing
If you are struggling from the effects of injured or compressed nerves, or you are suspicious that you might be, advanced nerve testing can help you diagnose what is going on and get you the treatment you need for recovery. Millions of neurons run through your body transmitting sensations from the skin and organs. When one or more of these nerves are damaged or compressed, serious pain and other symptoms can set in. However, there are numerous other illnesses that cause the same symptoms as nerve damage. It is crucial to rule out other problems before investing in treatments for nerve damage if another cause lies behind your inflammation or chronic pain. Nerve testing is a quick and easy way to learn about the health of your muscles and nerves.
Signs that You May Need Nerve Testing
Certain symptoms–especially when present with others–can indicate that you have a nerve that is injured, compromised or compressed in some way and needs treatment. You don’t need to have all of these symptoms to have a problem with a nerve. These are just some of the more common symptoms we see:
- Chronic or sudden pain in nearly any quadrant of the body
- Muscle weakness
- Twitching in the limbs or torso that is episodic or even constant
- Numbness and tingling in extremities or across the surface of the skin
- Muscle spasms
- Dizziness and fatigue that does not pass with rest
- Muscle stiffness, especially after sleep
While some of these symptoms can be triggered by other conditions that are not nerve related, part of finding a correct diagnosis involves eliminating some of the possibilities.
Advanced Nerve Tests
Specific tests are administered to help the chiropractic physicians at Mile High Spine & Pain Center diagnose the source of your pain and dysfunction. One of the more common tests that we will run is called Electromyography (EMG). This test can locate diseases that harm muscle tissue, nerves or the intersections between muscles and nerves. The other type of test that we offer is called Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) testing. Nerve conduction testing helps to find damage in the peripheral nervous system including all the nerves that branch away from your brain and spinal cord and the nerves that branch from those as well.
How Does Electromyography Work?
Electromyography collects data from the electrical impulses sent by your muscles when you cause those muscles to relax and contract. Each muscle group produces a certain signal when intact and healthy so signal abnormalities during testing can pinpoint where the problem originates from. EMG can also help the doctor determine if your problem originates with the muscle itself or the nerves that control it.
The EMG Procedure
To capture the muscle and nerve data that your chiropractic physician needs to diagnose your symptoms, he will insert at very small needle just underneath your skin–with local anesthesia in most cases. As you relax and contract groups of muscles your doctor will look for signal abnormalities that indicate a problem area. The amount of time needed to complete the testing varies from 20-90 minutes depending on the findings during the test, the areas that need to be tested, and how complex your case is. The EMG procedure is minimally invasive requiring no anesthesia, recovery period, side effects or medication. During the test, you may have some discomfort from the electrical impulses that are being sent through your body. You may also experience some tingling or soreness in tested areas for about 90 minutes after treatment.
Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) Testing
Nerve conduction studies measure how well and how fast the nerves can send electrical signals. This information is gathered by sending electricity through your nerves and watching what happens to those signals as they travel.
The NCV Procedure
One electrode sends the signal and while another receives the readings. We often pair both types of testing–NCV and EMG–together because they provide complementary data about the state of a patient’s nerves and muscles. In most disorders causing generalized pain and fatigue, it can be hard to pinpoint an exact cause. Powerful diagnostic tools like NCV and EMG tests aid us in discovering hidden causes of these symptoms.
Instant Results with Advanced Nerve Testing
One of the big advantages to participating in advanced nerve testing is that you can get your results on the spot. You don’t have to wait weeks for results to come in and postpone finding you the pain relief and return to functionality that you desire and need. EMG and NCV tests will give your doctor results right on the screen and allow him to start treatment planning at the same appointment.
Free Advanced Nerve Testing Consultation
Chronic pain or dysfunction can make even the simplest tasks seem overwhelming. If you are interested in learning more about advanced nerve testing, the team at Mile High Spine & Pain Center is ready to help. Call (720) 507-0080 today to schedule your free consultation!