In-office EMG & nerve conduction studies

Electrodiagnostic testing performed and interpreted by a board-certified neurologist with fellowship training in neuromuscular medicine and EMG.

Our office uses the Cadwell Sierra Summit — a state-of-the-art electrodiagnostic system — with full capabilities including single fiber EMG.

Located in Midtown East, Manhattan, near Grand Central Terminal.

Fellowship-trained State-of-the-art equipment Same physician performs & interprets

What is EMG / NCS testing?

EMG and nerve conduction studies are the primary tools neurologists use to evaluate the health of nerves and muscles. Expand any capability to learn more.

Common reasons for EMG/NCS

  • Numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands or feet
  • Weakness in the arms or legs
  • Suspected carpal tunnel syndrome or ulnar neuropathy
  • Neck or back pain with radiating symptoms (radiculopathy)
  • Muscle twitching, cramps, or wasting
  • Evaluation of peripheral neuropathy
  • Suspected myopathy or muscle disease
  • Ruling out ALS or motor neuron disease
  • Suspected myasthenia gravis or neuromuscular junction disorders
  • Pre-surgical planning for nerve or spine procedures

Advanced capabilities

Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS)

Measures the speed and strength of electrical signals traveling through your nerves.

NCS measures how fast and how strongly electrical signals travel through your nerves. Small electrical pulses are applied to the skin over a nerve, and the response is recorded. This helps identify nerve damage, compression, or demyelination — information that cannot be obtained through imaging or blood tests alone.

When it's used: evaluation of suspected carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy, and other conditions affecting nerve function.

Electromyography (EMG)

Evaluates the electrical activity of muscles to detect nerve or muscle disorders.

A very thin needle electrode is inserted into specific muscles to record their electrical activity at rest and during contraction. This helps distinguish between nerve problems and primary muscle disorders, and can detect signs of denervation, reinnervation, or active muscle disease.

When it's used: evaluation of suspected myopathy, motor neuron disease, radiculopathy, and other conditions where the pattern of muscle involvement guides diagnosis.

Single Fiber EMG (SFEMG)

The most sensitive test for neuromuscular junction disorders such as myasthenia gravis.

Measures the variability in transmission time between a nerve and individual muscle fibers (jitter), which increases when the neuromuscular junction is impaired.

When it's used: evaluation of suspected myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, or other neuromuscular junction disorders — especially when standard tests (antibodies, RNS) are inconclusive.

Repetitive Nerve Stimulation (RNS)

Assesses the neuromuscular junction by delivering repeated electrical stimuli to a nerve.

A progressive decline in muscle response (decrement) during repeated stimulation is a hallmark of neuromuscular junction disorders.

When it's used: evaluation of myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, and other conditions affecting the neuromuscular junction.

Evoked Potentials (EP)

Records the nervous system's electrical response to sensory stimulation.

Measures the electrical activity of the brain or spinal cord in response to visual, auditory, or somatosensory stimulation, assessing the integrity of sensory pathways.

When it's used: evaluation of demyelinating conditions, spinal cord disorders, and assessment of sensory pathway function.

Why choose our practice for EMG

The quality of an EMG depends as much on the physician performing and interpreting the study as it does on the equipment. At our practice, you get both.

Physician-performed

Dr. Warner personally performs and interprets every study — not a technician. This ensures real-time clinical decision-making and the highest diagnostic accuracy.

Fellowship-trained expertise

Advanced neuromuscular fellowship training at Hospital for Special Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, and Memorial Sloan Kettering — among the top programs in the country.

State-of-the-art equipment

The Cadwell Sierra Summit is a top-tier electrodiagnostic platform used in leading academic centers, with advanced signal processing and full single fiber EMG capability.

What to expect

Everything you need to know to prepare for your EMG and nerve conduction study — from preparation to results.

Infographic: What to Expect During Your EMG and Nerve Conduction Study. Preparation checklist: bathe or shower to remove oils but do not use lotions or creams; hold blood thinners and Pyridostigmine (Mestinon) for 4 hours before your exam. Safety alerts: notify the office if you have a pacemaker or a history of hemophilia. The procedure has two parts — Part 1: Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) where small electrical shocks are applied causing a quick, mild tingling sensation, and Part 2: Electromyography (EMG) where a small thin needle is inserted into specific muscles to record electrical activity. Tests usually take 30 to 60 minutes and you may resume normal activities immediately after. Results: you will receive an initial wet read followed by a detailed official report. Contact: Robin Warner Neurology, (201) 719-5910, 18 E 41st Street, New York, NY.

Preparation summary

Skin preparation

Bathe or shower to remove oils, but do not use any lotions or creams on the day of your test.

Medication instructions

Hold blood thinners and Pyridostigmine (Mestinon) for 4 hours before your exam. Take all other medications as usual.

Safety alerts

Notify the office in advance if you have a pacemaker or a history of hemophilia.

Tests typically take 30–60 minutes. You will receive an initial "wet read" of results immediately, followed by a detailed official report sent to your referring physician. You may resume normal activities right away.

Conditions diagnosed with EMG/NCS

Nerve disorders

  • Peripheral neuropathy (diabetic, toxic, inflammatory)
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Ulnar neuropathy (cubital tunnel)
  • Radiculopathy (pinched nerve)
  • Plexopathy
  • Guillain-Barré syndrome
  • CIDP
  • Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Muscle disorders

  • Inflammatory myopathies (dermatomyositis, polymyositis, inclusion body myositis)
  • Muscular dystrophies
  • Metabolic myopathies
  • Toxic myopathies

Motor neuron & NMJ disorders

  • ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome
  • Motor neuron disease
  • Cramp-fasciculation syndrome

See all conditions we treat

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Whether you've been referred by another physician or are seeking evaluation on your own, we're here to help.

Expert electrodiagnostic testing in Midtown Manhattan

Performed and interpreted by a fellowship-trained neuromuscular specialist using state-of-the-art equipment.

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