Nerve Conduction Test, Nerve Conduction Tests, Is is worth the pain?
Does it REALLY evaluate Damage?
Does a Nerve Conduction Test, or an EMG Nerve Test, measure nerve damage?
As I mentioned on the Nerve Damage page, the Nerve Conduction Test, also called a Nerve Conduction Velocity test (NCV), measures the flow of impulse through a nerve.
An EMG Nerve Test does the same but for muscle activity.
There's A Lot Going On Electrically In Our Body. Sometimes adding more is a problem.
It is important to know that these tests measure nerve impulse and DO NOT measure actual damage.
They only measure how well and how fast the nerves can send electrical signals. NCV and EMG testing do not and can not measure damaged cells, broken structures, etc. These tests are used to -evaluate- POTENTIAL damage.
If you step on a water hose, the amount of water coming through will decrease. A 'Hose Conduction Test' doctor would proclaim that you have hose damage.
Oh No! You Need Hose Surgery!
Or, you could just take your foot off the hose.
Theoretically, if you stepped on the hose long enough, like years and years and decades, you -could- conceivably have a permanently crimped hose, or actual damage to the hose structure itself.
Fortunately, the body has an ASTOUNDING ability to bounce back, if you treat it right..
If you have pain and or numbness from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, or Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, and if you have chronic nerve pain or numbness in your hand, many doctors take the time to perform some kind of Nerve Conduction Test.
A good percentage just test you for flexibility and compare it to your complaints and declare a diagnosis.
Either way, it kind of doesn't matter as the tests are not going to tell you what you actually need to know.
The Doctor will read the result, and if it is reduced impulse, s/he will likely say that this means you have nerve damage and should consider surgery to 'release' the nerve and thus prevent more damage.
Due to lack of the RIGHT education, the Nerve Conduction Test gets used against you. But it's not done out of malice, Doctors really do want what's best for you.
Reality looks different to different people, and it's amazing how quickly one can switch one's perception of the truth when one is looking for a way to get out of pain.
This truth can not be debated: If you have numbness, you have nerve compression. And there is a whole Pain Causing Dynamic going on that numbness and compression are key parts of.
It's not a disease, it's not an illness.
Don't get me wrong. Numbness from nerve compression can become a serious issue.
The body falls victim to a downward spiral that does not get better on its own.
A Nerve Conduction Test is valuable for some conditions, but not any of those that you will find on this website.
And while it's statistically incredibly unlikely that you having anything other than a hose being stepped on, it's worth it to visit a doctor (and possibly get a nerve conduction test) to rule out serious, life and limb threatening issues like a tumor.
What I want you to know is that even if you are in extreme pain with serious numbness because of Tendonitis, IT IS REVERSIBLE.
To start feeling better, check out the How To Reduce Inflammation page.
Stated very simply, Tendonitis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome creates inflammation creates tightness creates compression on nerves.
For more Nerve Conduction and EMG Reviews and Q&A, go ---> HERE to the Nerve Conduction Test Stories page.
Return to the top of this Nerve Conduction Test page.
Learn more about Tendonitis related nerve 'damage' at the Nerve Damage page.