Have a literal pain in the neck?

There's a new nerve conduction study being performed at Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital solving the mystery of certain aches and pains, especially in the hands or in the neck area.

Hillside offers nerve conduction studies or Electromyography for individuals suffering from muscle pain, cramping, tingling, numbness or weakness with no known cause.

The two-part test can help determine if the pain is caused from a muscular problem or a nerve problem.

The study is done by placing electrodes on the patient's skin where they are experiencing pain or symptoms.

A stimulator will provide a stimulus to the nerve. Then a pin electrode is also inserted into the muscle. The physician will assesse whether there is any unprompted electrical activity when the muscle is at rest, activity that isn't present in healthy muscle tissue and the degree of activity when the patient's contract their muscle.

The doctor will then come up with a treatment plan, based on the test results, best suited for the patient.