EMG ..... How bad is it?

[Jasper]

Thanks, Elaine. Good to know.

[desi_20]

I was in a lot of pain when I had mine done which I think is probably why it hurt me so much. Mine was done in my legs and my left arm. If I hadn't been in pain I think it probably would have just been a rather uncomfortable experience. Mine lasted probably 15 to 20 minutes I think.

[Jasper]

Thanks, Desi.

I am not in a lot of pain right now. Mostly it is my feet that hurt, like frostbite when it is warming up. I am sure I will do fine. Just like to have some idea of what I am getting into, LOL. 

[daisymae]

I just had mine a couple weeks ago. I had heard the horror stories too.

Mine was in my left arm and leg. I actually just found the nerve conduction part annoying. Not really that painful. When they increased the intensity I kind of felt like saying ok, that's good, you got the jerking reaction, time to move on. I had a student technician (and the regular tech) so I got lots of extra shocks as she was learning where the nerves were. I was ok with that and liked watching the monitor to see the levels.

Actually what hurt was the device pressed onto my skin that delivers the electric current. I have allodynia - my skin is hypersensitive to touch which results in pain ++.

I didn't even feel the EMG needles or stimulus. Except the one on my thigh as I hadn't fully relaxed the muscle yet. That's important to do. It hurt a bit when I had to flex my ankle with the needle just above my ankle and I felt slight bruising the next day. More like when blood is drawn and how sometimes a bruise is left.

It took about an hour but mine was probably longer due to the student.

Overall I found the experience interesting and only mildly uncomfortable. Since you're used to dealing with pain I don't think it will be too bad for you at all.

[Cassi307]

I had one a few months ago. There was some discomfort but nothing that I would call horrific. I practiced deep breathing during the test and it helped to distract me. It was over quickly.

Practice relaxation techniques prior and hopefully it wil go quickly and with little discomfort. Good luck.

[Jasper]

Daisymae and Cassi ... Thanks so much for your responses and insight. I do feel a lot better about the EMG now. I am sure it will go well.