Neurophysiology is essentially the study of how your nervous system is functioning, not structurally, but electrically. The brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and even muscles communicate through electrical signals. The MRI shows the “structure,” but neurophysiology shows the “function” to patients. For example, a nerve running along the inner side of the forearm may look normal on imaging, but if the electrical signal slows down across the elbow by even a few milliseconds, there might be a compression. These tests don’t just capture images. They record activity, live, dynamic, and sometimes changing within seconds.
Most patients come with symptoms that are not visible externally. Tingling in the fingertips, numbness along the outer side of the leg, brief blackouts, and unexplained muscle weakness are functional problems.
In such cases, neurophysiology helps answer questions like:
Sometimes, even when scans appear normal, these tests reveal abnormalities. That’s often reassuring for patients who feel their symptoms are being dismissed.
Conditions Neurophysiology Helps Diagnose
At our Department of Neurology, these tests are commonly used for:
Types of Neurophysiology Tests
Depending on the symptom pattern, different tests are advised. Often, more than one is needed. These include:
1. Electroencephalogram (EEG)
This records the electrical activity of the brain. Small electrodes are placed over the scalp, usually around 16–20 points. The test lasts about 45–60 minutes.
It is commonly used for:
In some cases, video EEG monitoring is done over longer durations, especially when events are infrequent.
2. Nerve Conduction Study (NCV/NCS)
Here, we stimulate a nerve, say, at the wrist or ankle, with small electrical impulses. The response is recorded a few centimetres away along the same nerve.
Patients often worry about the “shock,” but it feels more like a brief tap. The current is low and localized.
This test helps measure:
3. Electromyography (EMG)
When we need to assess the muscle itself, EMG is added. A thin needle, much finer than a typical injection needle, is inserted into selected muscles. Common sites include the small muscles of the hand, the calf, or the thigh.
We observe electrical activity:
Changes in these signals help differentiate nerve problems from muscle disorders.
The best neuro physiotherapist doctors in Navi Mumbai at UMC Hospitals will guide you with the required tests.
Most tests are done on an outpatient basis. You’ll be awake throughout. For EEG, you’ll lie down comfortably while electrodes are placed on the scalp. Sometimes, you may be asked to breathe deeply or look at flashing lights. For NCV, small electrical pulses are given. They may cause brief twitching, like the thumb moving involuntarily when the median nerve is stimulated at the wrist. For EMG, there is a quick pricking sensation as the needle enters the muscle, usually just a few millimetres deep. The discomfort is short-lived. The entire session may take anywhere between 30 minutes and 90 minutes, depending on the number of tests required.
Safety and Preparation
These tests are generally safe and non-invasive, with minimal risks. A few practical points to note:
At UMC Hospitals, neurophysiology is integrated into routine neurological care rather than treated as a separate, isolated service. The lab is equipped for both outpatient and bedside testing, including portable EEG for ICU patients. Video EEG monitoring is available for detailed seizure evaluation, sometimes over extended periods. Advanced procedures like intraoperative neuromonitoring are used during complex brain and spine surgeries, helping track nerve function in real time, sometimes across more than 100 channels. The best neurophysiology doctor in Navi Mumbai at UMC Hospitals helps understand various patterns and identify symptoms related to neurology.
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