The EMG can go either way. My housemate just had one and it didn't hurt. I also went with a friend, and he yelled. I don't know why it hurts one person and not another. Maybe it has to do with the severity of the issue they are trying to DX. In my own case, I declined the invitation to do the test. I was already in enough pain, and I didn't need a DX to tell me where I was hurting. For the doctor, he didn't believe me when I told him how much I hurt. I wound up going to a different neurologist, and he didn't think the test was needed. I tend to turn down needles if I can! I wish you all the best no matter what you decide to do. ginnie