Nerve Conduction Test
The nerve conduction test is often referred to as a Nerve Conduction Velocity Study (NCV) or Nerve Conduction Study (NCS). Nerves serve many functions in our bodies. Two of the major functions are the control or activation of muscles and for your ability to feel sensations. The brain sends signals through nerves to make muscles work and the nerves carry impulses to the brain so that we can feel hot, cold, textures, pain, etc. When nerves are healthy, they carry their impulses quickly and efficiently. Pressure, damage or diseases of the nerve cause the signals to travel differently from normal such as slower or with less power.
The nerve conduction test determines how well a nerve's signal travels to help determine where the problem may be located and how severe it may be. Nerve conduction is most often used with other testing such as electromyography and manual muscle testing. It is used for a wide variety of nervous system disorders.
The test requires an electrical stimulus to trigger the nerve to generate its own impulse. It is that generated nerve impulse that is studied.
