Electromyography (EMG) Lab

The electromyography (EMG) laboratory at Henry Ford Health is home to highly skilled electrodiagnostic specialists and advanced testing technologies. We get to the source of neurologic disease symptoms, including muscle weakness, tingling and cramping.

The lab offers advanced nerve testing options that are not widely available. And our specialists accurately interpret thousands of tests each year. This level of care has earned our EMG lab a national reputation for high-quality testing.

What Is electrodiagnostic testing?

Your nerves and muscles communicate with the brain using electrical impulses. Neurologic conditions like multiple sclerosis and tremors occur when these impulses get disrupted.

Electrodiagnostic testing includes nerve tests like EMG that help us assess the impulses and how well they control muscle movement. This information helps care teams diagnose neurologic problems with a high degree of accuracy, so you receive appropriate care.

Conditions we evaluate using EMG and other electrodiagnostic tests

Neurologic conditions we evaluate include:

• ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
• Movement disorders, including dystonia and tremor
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Myasthenia gravis
• Nerve damage in the feet or hands (peripheral neuropathy)
• Muscle disorders, including various myopathies and muscular dystrophies

EMG testing at Henry Ford: Why choose us?

We perform nearly 6,000 electrodiagnostic tests per year and maintain the highest care standards. Our expertise and attention to detail have earned us Accreditation with Exemplary Status, the highest recognition from the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine.

Highlights of our program include:

• Advanced testing: We offer single-fiber EMGs to pinpoint problems in ways that are not possible with other testing. These options help care teams deliver precise therapies right from the start.
• Coordination: Results are available shortly after testing is complete. We share this information with neuromuscular disease experts — usually the same day — to keep your care moving forward. Explore neurodegenerative diseases evaluation and treatment.
• Convenience: Our services are available in several locations in southeast and south central Michigan so it’s easier to receive the care you need close to home.

Electrodiagnostic tests we offer

We offer a broad range of tests, including:

• Evoked potential studies: A gentle electrical current helps us assess the pathways signals take from the brain to the nerves.
• Needle EMG: We insert a thin needle into a muscle and use special technology to observe the electrical signals it generates.
• Nerve conduction studies: We apply a gentle current to nerve tissue and record the response. This test shows how well electrical signals are traveling to nerves.
• Single-fiber electromyography (EMG): We use electrical impulses to stimulate individual muscle fibers and assess the response. Only a few other centers in Michigan provide this test.

Other services our electrodiagnostic specialists provide

Additional services we provide include:

• Injections: We use nerve monitoring equipment to deliver Botox®, nerve blocks and trigger point injections to precisely the right spot. These therapies help you get relief from certain symptoms, including muscle stiffness (spasticity) and joint pain.
• Intraoperative nerve monitoring: We use special equipment to monitor nerves during complicated brain and spine surgeries. Our careful attention helps you receive the surgical care you need while protecting sensitive nerve tissue.
• Muscle biopsy: We take a sample of muscle tissue and pathologists examine it under a microscope for signs of disease.