Areas of Care

EMG Lab

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Overview

The EMG Lab at The Ottawa Hospital helps diagnose a wide range of nerve and muscle conditions.   

Many patients are referred for common issues like a pinched nerve—such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or nerve compression in the neck or back. Others may have more widespread symptoms caused by conditions like diabetic neuropathy, ALS or inherited nerve and muscle disorders. The lab’s role is to detect signs of nerve or muscle damage and provide accurate diagnostic information to the referring physician. In some cases, EMG results may rule out suspected conditions, helping to avoid unnecessary treatments.

A healthcare professional wearing gloves operates an electronic device connected by wires to a patients forearm, which has electrodes attached, during a medical diagnostic procedure.

Services

The EMG Lab performs EMG tests, which are usually done in two parts.

Part 1: Nerve Conduction Study (NCS)

An NCS is done by an experienced technologist who applies recording electrodes to the skin near a specific muscle or nerve, then applies an electrical stimulus to the skin at one or more sites along the course of the nerve. An electrician might use a similar procedure when testing an electric circuit – putting a signal in one end of the wire and measuring what comes out the other end. The EMG machine shows the electrical response of the nerve or muscle on a computer monitor, giving an immediate indication of the health of that nerve.

Part 2 (if needed): Electromyography (EMG)

This part is often done by the physician and does not involve electric stimulation. Instead, an electrode resembling an acupuncture pin is inserted into muscle tissue where it acts as an antenna for recording electrical activity. Nerve and muscle diseases alter the pattern of electrical activity in muscles. 

Team

The Rehabilitation Medicine EMG lab is staffed by ten physicians (all physiatrists) and one registered EMG technologist.  It is administered by the booking department at the Rehabilitation Centre.

The Neurology EMG lab is staffed by nine physicians (six neurologists, two physiatrists and one plastic surgeon) and five full- or part-time registered EMG technologists.  It is administered by physician administrative assistants and reception/booking clerks. 

Referrals

All patients must be referred to us by a family physician or specialist (including, but not limited to, neuro, orthopedic or plastic surgeons, rheumatologists, other neurologists, other physiatrists). 

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 We receive referrals from a wide area of Eastern and Northern Ontario, Western Quebec, as well as Iqaluit .

Referral form for Neurology EMG Lab(220.52 KB)
Referral form for Rehabilitation Centre EMG Lab(241.4 KB)

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

EMG is the common abbreviation for electromyography. The “myo” part means muscle, so EMG means “electrical muscle writing”  where the electrical signal recorded from a muscle is made to write patterns on a video screen. Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) are also done where an electrical stimulus is applied to the nerve and the electrical response is recorded further on down the nerve or from a muscle the nerve communicates with. 

There are two types of appointments in the Neurology EMG Lab. One involves just testing and you are either booked for 30 or 45 minutes depending on the testing anticipated. The second, more common type of appointment involves testing plus a consultation with one of our neurologists or physiatrists. These appointments can be booked for 30 to 60 minutes. In the Rehabilitation Medicine EMG Lab, the appointments always include both testing and consultation and can take from 45 to 60 minutes. 

The tests are uncomfortable, but almost everyone tolerates them quite well. The electrical stimulation causes some discomfort, similar to that odd feeling you get in your little finger when you tap your “funny bone” at the elbow. The needle electrode also causes some discomfort, although it is typically less painful than an injection because nothing is being injected and the needles are very finely tapered and Teflon© coated. Note also that the needles are single use: each client gets a new one to eliminate the possibility of transmitting infections. After-effects of the testing may include some tenderness or slight bruising in the muscles that were examined by needle, and will not affect your walking, driving or any of your usual activities. 

  • Eat normally and take your medications unless instructed otherwise.
  • Avoid using lotions or fragrances on the day of your test.
  • Wear a short-sleeved shirt and bring shorts if leg testing is needed.
  • Inform the physician if you take Aspirin, blood thinners or have bleeding disorders.
  • Bring a list of your medications and their dosages if you are seeing a physician for consultation. 

If you are seeing a neurologist or physiatrist during your appointment, the results will be explained at the end of the test. For all testing, a report will be sent to your physician within two weeks.

Contact us

Rehabilitation Centre EMG Lab

613-737-7350, ext. 75591

613-733-8336

The Ottawa Hospital - General Campus
Module Q  
501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON  K1H 8L6

Neuromuscular Centre EMG Lab

613-761-4324

613-761-5333

The Ottawa Hospital - Civic Campus 
1053 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON  K1Y 4E9

Neurology EMG Lab

613-737-8490

613-737-8921

The Ottawa Hospital - General Campus 
Module Q 
501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON  K1H 8L6

Note: This location will move to the Civic Campus Neuromuscular Centre.