Best Practices in Preparing for SFEMG

In considering these guidelines, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY to avoid overly distressing your system. These guidelines are not meant to take the place of doctor's advice.

Find a technician/doctor experienced in SFEMG to increase chance of getting accurate test results.

Up to 14 days prior to testing...

1. Discontinue pyridostigmine/mestinon. (See Note re: cholinesterase inhibitors)
2. Avoid nightshades (e.g. potato, tomato, eggplant, tobacco, peppers, goji berries,...) (See Note re: cholinesterase inhibitors)
3. Avoid caffeine, chocolate, tobacco and other stimulants

Up to two days prior to testing...

4. Stay well hydrated
5. Wear yourself out with exercise (unless already debilitated). Use best judgment to avoid overly distressing your system

On Appointment Day...

6. have heat running in the car while being driven to the appointment
7. dress warmly to compensate in case the testing room is not sufficiently warm
8. Don't be too alarmed if the doctor doesn't test your weakest muscle since other factors may influence which muscles to test (e.g. Subcutaneous fat of 9 mm (millimeters) can reduce an EMG signal by 80%)
9. During test, relax & help the doctor get best results by following instructions carefully (e.g. If testing forearm muscle, the doctor may say "lift this finger a certain degree to get the best signal.")

*Note: A report indicates cholinesterase inhibitors remain in a person's system 2-14 days after discontinuation & may negatively affect SFEMG test results. See Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2540433