You will be asked to lie on a treatment table. For the NCS exam, small metal electrodes will be placed on your hands, feet, arms or legs. The electrodes are connected to a small amplifier and oscilloscope. The nerve will then be stimulated at several sites with a small electric shock to measure the speed and volume that the nerve is able to carry an impulse. Several nerves will be evaluated in similar fashion.
The EMG component of the exam is usually performed next. With this exam, a small intramuscular electrode is inserted. The electrode is connected to an amplifier, sending signals to the oscilloscope. Muscle generated waveforms are observed on the oscilloscope with the muscle at rest, and then when the muscle is contracting.

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