Back Pain in Women: EMG Over MRI?

Many women experience back pain and it can stem from a large variety of causes. In many cases, if your back pain is long-lasting and at least moderate, your doctor will likely want to do further testing to try and determine the cause. MRIs are a popular choice and while they can be incredibly helpful, they are just a picture. Some doctors are now adopting the use of electromyography (EMG) to help diagnose back pain.

Why EMG for Back Pain?

An EMG is capable of measuring the electrical activity of the spinal muscles. This is more accurate in identifying what is causing your pain than a detailed picture of the area. This test may help you avoid surgery and other expensive and painful treatments and testing.

Does an EMG Hurt?

This is a common question. I have personally had this test and I can honestly say that it did not hurt for the most part. I did not even feel them inserting the very fine needles. The electrode placed on the left side of my lower back did cause slight discomfort, but it was completely tolerable and of course it is very quick, so any discomfort ends very fast. Now, in my lower back, I did not feel them inserting the needle, just when the electrode moved. I had some mild soreness in my lower back the next day as well. It was comparable to how you feel after a good work out after not working out for a while. Somewhat bruised and overworked, but not painful.

How Long Did the Test Take?

For me, they did different sites throughout my entire body and did nerve conduction testing, so it took about an hour. If you are only getting your back done, it certainly would not take longer than an hour. And, best of all, there is no recovery time. As soon as the test is done, you are free to leave.

What if My Results are Abnormal?

This could indicate a variety of things, so do not panic. Your doctor will thoroughly discuss your results with you and discuss a plan of action. Also, if your results are normal, but you are still in pain this does not mean that your pain is all in your head. Your doctor will likely talk to you about where to go from here to determine what is causing your pain.

Resources

MedlinePlus: Electromyography