ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture is
a procedure that uses fine needles placed at different points on your
body, ears, or head. The needles may be connected to an electric
stimulator to strengthen the effect. Usually the needles are left in
place for about 30 minutes, which completes one treatment. 4-8
treatments comprise 1 course. A patient may need one or more course(s)
depending on the nature, complexity, chronicity, and severity of the
disease.
NERVE CONDUCTION STUDY (NCS) & EMG
NCS
is a procedure that one or more of your nerves are electrically
stimulated and the response of the nerve recorded by a machine. The
latencies, amplitudes, and nerve conduction velocities are determined
and compared to normal values.
EMG is a procedure that
a special needle will be inserted inside one or more of your muscles.
You will be asked to relax or contract the muscle and the responses
will be recorded. You will hear some sound during the procedure as
well.
After analyzing the data from NCS and EMG, a neurologist
can diagnose some of the diseases such as carpal tunnel syndrome,
lumbar or cervical radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy, ALS, etc.
LUMBAR PUNCTURE (LP)
LP
is a procedure where a spinal needle is placed into your spinal canal
and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is collected for diagnosis or treatment.
You are asked to lay on your side in a fetal position. LP usually helps
neurologists diagnose some diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS),
meningitis, encephalitis, etc.
Pre-procedure
Your back
will be cleaned thoroughly (sterilized) first. Then local anesthetics
(usually lidocain) will be injected at the LP site. Then LP begins.
Post-procedure
You
should lay flat for 30-60 minutes after the LP to prevent headache. If
you have a headache which is worse when sitting or standing up, lay
down and drink lots of fluid. If your headache persists, call your
doctor or go to the nearest emergency room.
TRIGGER POINT INJECTION (TPI)
Steriod (usually depomedrol) and local anesthetics (usually lidocaine) will be injected at the site(s) where you have pain or tenderness. There will be significant relief of pain in the neck, back, shoulder and some other areas for several weeks.
Post-procedure
Most patients do not have any complications, althought there may be some tenderness and aches during the first 1-2 days right after the procedure.
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