NCS/Nerve Conduction Studies

Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) and Electromyography (EMG) are essential diagnostic tools used to evaluate the health and function of your peripheral nerves and muscles. At Tender Loving Care Physical Therapy, we integrate NCV/EMG testing into our comprehensive evaluations to accurately pinpoint nerve compression, muscle dysfunction, and guide targeted rehabilitation programs.

What Is NCV/EMG?

  • Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV): Measures how quickly electrical impulses travel along a nerve. Slowed conduction can indicate nerve injury or compression .
  • Electromyography (EMG): Records the electrical activity of muscles at rest and during contraction. Abnormal activity reveals muscle response issues or disrupted nerve-to-muscle signaling.

Why We Use NCV/EMG

  • Precise Localization: Differentiates between nerve disorders (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome) and primary muscle conditions (e.g., myopathy).
  • Injury Severity & Chronicity: Quantifies how severe and long-standing a nerve or muscle injury is, guiding treatment intensity and prognosis.
  • Specialist-Administered Testing: Unlike clinics that rely on technicians or non–board-certified therapists, all our NCV/EMG studies are performed and interpreted by our board-certified electrodiagnostic clinician, ensuring the highest level of accuracy and safety.
  • Treatment Planning & Tracking: Objective NCV/EMG data helps us tailor manual therapy, exercise progressions, and track recovery over time.

Conditions Evaluated with NCV/EMG

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (median nerve at wrist)
  • Radiculopathy/Sciatica (spinal nerve roots in neck or low back)
  • Peripheral Neuropathies (diabetic neuropathy, Guillain–Barré syndrome)
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (posterior tibial nerve at ankle)
  • Peripheral Nerve Injuries (trauma, compression)
  • Myopathies & Motor Neuron Diseases (muscular dystrophy, ALS)

How a Licensed Physical Therapist Integrates NCV/EMG

  • Correlated Clinical Examination: Combines NCV/EMG findings with hands-on tests (sensory checks, strength assessments) to confirm diagnoses.
  • Guided Rehabilitation Protocols: Uses test results to select appropriate manual therapies, nerve gliding exercises, and graded loading programs.
  • Monitoring Progress: Repeat NCV/EMG studies assess nerve regeneration or muscle reinnervation, allowing data-driven plan adjustments.
  • Collaborative Care: Detailed NCV/EMG reports are shared with referring physicians or neurologists to coordinate medical or surgical interventions when necessary.

Advantages of NCV/EMG & Physical Therapy Integration

  • Non-Invasive & Detailed Insight: Provides in-depth information without the risks of invasive procedures.
  • Cost-Effective Diagnostics: Often more accessible and affordable than advanced imaging for nerve and muscle assessment.
  • Targeted Treatment: Ensures rehabilitation focuses on the specific site and nature of the dysfunction, improving outcomes.
  • Empowered Recovery: Objective feedback motivates patients by demonstrating measurable improvements in nerve and muscle function.

References

  1. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Nerve Conduction Studies. Published 2024.
  2. Mayo Clinic. Electromyography (EMG). Published 2019.

StatPearls. Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography. Published 2025.