Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation & EMG Testing

Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR), also known as physiatry, is a medical specialty that seeks to promote healing and rehabilitation of patients who have suffered from an injury or have a disability. 

Physiatrists treat patients following a stroke, brain or spinal cord injury; they also diagnose and treat acute and/or chronic pain and musculoskeletal injuries suffered in falls, recreational or sports injuries, and injuries that occur in the workplace. 

PM&R physicians can help patients with chronic disease, pain, or disabilities and facilitate progress toward optimal function. Rehabilitation involves the use of physical agents and therapeutic exercise to help patients:

  • reduce pain
  • improve quality of life
  • recover from temporary or severe impairment
  • learn how to use assistive devices, such as braces, wheelchairs, and walkers

Dr. Joseph Cerimele  is Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. His practice includes a specialty in EMG/NCV nerve testing, treating headaches and migraines with pharmaceutical medication and Botox, as well as treating/managing spasticity with Botox poststroke/CVA, brain injury, or neurological movement and tone disorders such as cerebral palsy.  Dr. Cerimele also performs gait evaluations for gait and movement disorders involving prosthetics, orthotics as well as wheelchair and walker evaluations.

Dr Cerimele performs OMT or osteopathic manipulation treatment when warranted for cervical, thoracic, lumbar and pelvic complaints. 

EMG/NCV Nerve Testing:

Physiatrists utilize EMG testing in-office, which is a diagnostic procedure that is useful in determining whether suspected muscle groups or nerves have been injured or related to a specific disease process. It measures the electrical activity of your nerves and muscles.

The test consists of two parts: nerve conduction study and needle electrode examination. EMGs can help determine the cause of muscle weakness, paralysis, spasms, paresthesias, numbness/tingling, as well as pain in the arms, legs, hands, feet and face.

EMGs can be used to diagnose carpal tunnel, tarsal tunnel, neuropathies, cervical and lumbar pinched nerves, tingling or numbness in the arms or legs, and other neurological conditions.

EMG Testing at Ohio Sports and Spine Institute

Your Visit

There aren’t any food or activity restrictions prior to or after an EMG test.

During the test, it’s recommended to wear loose, comfortable clothing as you may need to remove certain articles of clothing and/or wear a gown. You may also need to remove all jewelry for the test.

With a few exceptions, you may continue taking medication as prescribed by your physician without interfering with the EMG. However, if you are taking a blood-thinner, you should notify the location where you’re receiving the EMG because the needle-portion of the test may cause additional bleeding.

Also, if you are currently on medication for Myasthenia Gravis, such as Mestinon or another prescription like it, your medication may interfere with the test.

If you have any questions about your medication in relation to this test, check with your doctor in advance.

Schedule an Appointment

Get started with a consultation to evaluate the source of your pain and the best course of action to alleviate that discomfort