Concierge neurophysiology · London
Electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies plus needle EMG for peripheral nerve and muscle disease.
EMG combines nerve conduction studies with fine-needle EMG to investigate muscle and peripheral nerve disease — from carpal tunnel and ulnar neuropathy to motor neurone disease, myasthenia gravis, radiculopathy and myopathy.
Why patients choose us
- 01
The right hands
We route you to a consultant clinical neurophysiologist — the person doing the nerve conduction studies and needle EMG is the person interpreting them.
- 02
A definitive answer
For many neuromuscular conditions, EMG is the test that settles the diagnosis — not another maybe.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Key facts
EMG in six lines.
The essentials — what the test is, how long it takes, who reports it and what it actually settles.
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Definition
Nerve conduction studies plus needle EMG for muscle and peripheral nerve disease.
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45–60 minutes
A typical EMG appointment takes 45 to 60 minutes end to end.
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Some discomfort
Brief discomfort from electrical stimulation and the fine needle — usually well tolerated.
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Consultant neurophysiologist
Interpreted by a consultant clinical neurophysiologist, not a generalist.
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Complements other tests
Sits alongside MRI, ultrasound and blood tests — each answers a different question.
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Definitive
For many neuromuscular conditions, EMG is the test that settles the diagnosis.
Indicative pricing
What a private EMG costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
Nerve conduction studies + needle EMG in one limb: £500–£850, reported within 48 hours.
| Test type | Indicative range | Typical duration | Report turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard nerve conduction studies (limited) | £350–£600 | 30 min | 48 hours |
| Nerve conduction studies + needle EMG (one limb) | £500–£850 | 45 min | 48 hours |
| Comprehensive EMG (upper and lower limb) | £750–£1,200 | 60 min | 48 hours |
| EMG + repetitive nerve stimulation (myasthenia work-up) | £800–£1,400 | 60 min | 48 hours |
| EMG + neurology consultant opinion | £950–£1,600 | 75 min | Same visit |
| Urgent same-week EMG | £900–£1,600 | 60 min | Same-week |
Prices vary by clinic, by how many limbs are studied, and by whether repetitive stimulation or a same-visit neurology opinion are included. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
An EMG is only as good as who performs and reports it.
EMG is an operator-dependent test — the same patient can look normal or abnormal depending on which nerves and muscles are studied. We route you to a consultant clinical neurophysiologist, not a generalist.
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Tingling, weakness or wasting?
We arrange an EMG with a consultant clinical neurophysiologist and route findings back to neurology.
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Suspected MND or myasthenia?
Urgent, focused protocols — MND pathway or repetitive stimulation as needed.
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MRI shows a compressed nerve?
EMG tells you whether that structural finding is actually damaging the nerve, and how badly.
The journey
From referral to report — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to report — often within days.
Phase 1 · Before your test
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
~45–60 minutes at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
Neurology referral
A short, confidential referral from your neurologist or GP. Symptoms, examination findings, prior imaging and blood tests if you have them.
- 02
Before
Avoid moisturisers on skin
On the day of the test, don’t apply body lotion or moisturiser to arms or legs — they interfere with electrode contact.
- 03
Before
Detailed history and examination
The neurophysiologist takes a focused history and examination — this shapes which nerves and muscles are studied.
- 04
On the day
Nerve conduction studies (motor + sensory)
Small electrical pulses to peripheral nerves, with surface electrodes recording the response. Brief and well tolerated.
- 05
On the day
Needle EMG of relevant muscles
A very fine needle electrode samples electrical activity in selected muscles at rest and during voluntary contraction.
- 06
After
Report with pattern
A structured report describing the pattern found — neuropathy, myopathy, neuromuscular-junction disease, or a normal study.
- 07
After
Neurology follow-up
The findings feed straight into your neurology follow-up — with the concrete next step already spelled out.
Typical end-to-end: 3–7 days. Urgent cases: same week.
What it shows
When EMG is the right test.
EMG answers a specific question — is the nerve or muscle diseased, where, and what is the pattern. These are the presentations we see most.
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Carpal tunnel syndrome
The most common indication — quantifies median-nerve compression at the wrist.
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Ulnar neuropathy
Localises ulnar-nerve compression, typically at the elbow (cubital tunnel).
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Radiculopathy (cervical / lumbar)
Nerve-root compression from disc or spondylotic disease — often complementary to MRI.
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Motor neurone disease (ALS)
Detects the widespread denervation pattern that defines MND.
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Myasthenia gravis
Repetitive nerve stimulation identifies the neuromuscular-junction defect of myasthenia.
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Myopathy pattern
Distinguishes muscle disease (myopathy) from nerve disease as the cause of weakness.
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Peripheral neuropathy
Characterises length-dependent neuropathy — diabetic, inflammatory, hereditary or toxic.
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Red flag: rapidly progressive weakness + fasciculations — urgent motor neurone disease pathway
Do not wait weeks. Urgent EMG and neurology assessment via the MND pathway.
Red flags
Presentations we treat as urgent.
Where EMG is the fast-track investigation — not the routine one.
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Motor neurone disease
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Rapidly progressive weakness
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Guillain-Barré syndrome
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Botulism
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Toxic neuropathy
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Vasculitic neuropathy
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Post-radiotherapy plexopathy
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Necrotising autoimmune myopathy
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Compressive neuropathy with wasting
Test types
Not all EMG studies are the same.
What each option on your referral is actually for.
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Standard nerve conduction studies
Motor and sensory nerve conduction across selected peripheral nerves in the arms or legs.
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Needle EMG (single limb)
Fine-needle sampling of relevant muscles — targeted to the clinical question.
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Comprehensive EMG
Upper- and lower-limb nerve conduction plus needle EMG when the differential is broader.
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Repetitive nerve stimulation
Adds repetitive stimulation to look for the decrement of myasthenia gravis.
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Single-fibre EMG
A specialised technique for suspected myasthenia when repetitive stimulation is normal.
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EMG + neurology consult
Nerve conduction studies and needle EMG paired with a same-visit consultant neurology opinion.
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Paediatric EMG
Adapted, tolerated protocols for children in a paediatric-neurophysiology setting.
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Urgent same-week EMG
Expedited slot when rapidly progressive symptoms or a referral demand a rapid answer.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of clinics, we picked them.
Partners across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinic in our network.
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Consultant clinical neurophysiologists (not generalist technicians)
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Standardised nerve-conduction and needle-EMG protocols
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Report within 48 hours, with tracings available for onward review
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Onward neurology, neuromuscular or MND-pathway routing if significant disease is found
Safety and eligibility
A short, well-tolerated test.
EMG is safe and well tolerated. The practical points are what to skip on the day, what to tell us about medication, and where the test’s limits are.
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Some discomfort
Electrical pulses feel like a sharp tap; the fine needle is uncomfortable but brief. Most patients tolerate it well.
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No sedation needed
EMG is done fully awake — you can drive home and return to work the same day.
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Avoid moisturisers on skin
Body lotion or moisturiser on arms and legs interferes with electrode contact — skip it on the day.
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Warfarin and anticoagulants
Tell us in advance — needle EMG in specific muscles may need dose review, but most studies proceed safely.
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Pacemakers and ICDs
Not a contraindication — the neurophysiologist adjusts stimulation sites and protocol.
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Bruising is possible
A small bruise at needle sites is common and settles within a few days.
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A normal EMG is not a full clear
Very early disease, purely small-fibre neuropathy, or central causes may not be picked up — the neurologist decides what next.
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MRI sometimes follow-on
For radiculopathy or suspected central causes, cross-sectional imaging is often the complementary next step.
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Bring prior imaging and bloods
MRI reports, CK, B12, glucose and immunology results materially sharpen the interpretation.
Reading your report
An EMG report can look intimidating. It isn’t.
Whatever the finding, the report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The report is written for your neurologist, not for you — and that’s normal.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and clinical question
Your details, the reason for the test, and the specific clinical question the neurophysiologist was asked to answer.
- 02 Technique
Nerves studied and EMG protocol
Which peripheral nerves were tested, which muscles were sampled, and any specialised techniques (e.g. repetitive stimulation).
- 03 Findings
Conduction values and EMG activity
Distal latencies, conduction velocities, amplitudes, F-waves, and needle-EMG activity at rest and on contraction.
- 04 Impression
Pattern and next step: read this first
Normal, neuropathy, myopathy or neuromuscular-junction pattern — with the concrete next step for your neurology team.
Next steps
After the EMG — what follows.
Depending on the pattern, the concrete next step ranges from a splint to a multidisciplinary MND team.
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Splinting and physiotherapy
First-line for mild carpal tunnel and many musculoskeletal contributors.
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Nerve-conduction–guided steroid injection
Ultrasound-guided injection targeted to the confirmed site of compression.
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Carpal tunnel or ulnar nerve decompression
Day-case surgical release when EMG confirms significant compression.
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MND multidisciplinary care
Fast-track to a specialist MND team when the pattern points to motor neurone disease.
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Myasthenia treatment (pyridostigmine, immunosuppression)
Confirmed myasthenia is treated with symptomatic and immunosuppressive therapy.
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Radiculopathy management
Combined neurology and spinal input — from physiotherapy to injection or surgery.
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Muscle biopsy for myopathy
Where the EMG pattern points to a myopathy, a targeted muscle biopsy usually follows.
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Structured neurology follow-up
A clear plan handed back to your neurologist — no loose ends.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about EMG.
Quick answers on cost, referrals, discomfort, duration, and when EMG rather than MRI is the right test.
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What does an electromyography (EMG) test show?
EMG combines nerve conduction studies with fine-needle EMG to assess how peripheral nerves conduct signals and how muscles behave electrically. It identifies patterns of neuropathy, myopathy, radiculopathy, neuromuscular-junction disease and motor neurone disease.
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Does EMG hurt?
There is some discomfort. The nerve conduction studies feel like brief, sharp taps from the electrical stimulation. The needle EMG uses a very fine needle in selected muscles — uncomfortable but short-lived. Most patients tolerate the whole test well and drive home afterwards.
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How long does an EMG take?
A typical EMG appointment runs 45 to 60 minutes end to end, including history-taking, nerve conduction studies and needle EMG. A more comprehensive four-limb study or myasthenia work-up may take up to 75 minutes.
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Do I need a referral?
Yes — EMG is a specialist test that needs a referral, usually from a neurologist or GP. We can arrange a fast-track private neurology consultation if a referral is needed for insurance or onward pathway.
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How much does a private EMG cost in London?
Nerve conduction studies with needle EMG in one limb are typically £500–£850 in our network. A comprehensive upper- and lower-limb study runs £750–£1,200. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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When would I need EMG rather than MRI?
MRI shows structure — where a disc is pressing, whether a nerve looks compressed. EMG shows function — whether that structural finding is actually damaging the nerve, and how badly. In neuromuscular disease (MND, myasthenia, myopathy, peripheral neuropathy) EMG is often the definitive test; MRI cannot answer those questions.
Sources
Guidelines this guide draws on.
- British Society for Clinical Neurophysiology. Standards and guidelines.
- European Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Practice guidelines.
- American Academy of Neurology. Practice guidelines on EMG and nerve conduction studies.
- Royal College of Physicians. Clinical neurophysiology standards.
Published 2026-07-30. Next review 2027-07-30. Reviewed by Pulse Atlas Editorial Board ().
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In practice, in London
How electromyography tends to unfold when you go private
With electromyography, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. Public provision for electromyography is competent but constrained by capacity. Private London clinics tend to have shorter diaries and longer appointment slots, so you get the same specialists with more time. For people who’ve been going round in circles with primary care, that first proper conversation is often what shifts things.
The mechanics are straightforward: a consultant appointment, any tests done at a nearby CQC-registered site, and a written report back within a few days. London’s density of private diagnostics — Marylebone, the City, Chelsea, Canary Wharf — means most patients can find something that fits around work without a cross-town trek. For electromyography specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.
Honesty about expectations is part of the job. A private electromyography appointment in London won’t change the underlying medicine — the guidelines, the consultants, and the equipment are largely the same as on the NHS. What it changes is speed, continuity, and the amount of time you get to actually talk through the findings. Everyone we route to is GMC-registered and works within CQC-regulated facilities.
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