Neuropathy and Neuromuscular Disease

We deliver focused care for the many ways that neuropathy and neuromuscular disease can affect your life.

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Neuromuscular disorders affect nerves that help your brain control muscle movements. When cells within the nerves do not work the way they should, it causes symptoms like muscle weakness that worsen over time. The Nuvance Health® Neuroscience Institute helps you receive more of the services you may need close to home.

The specialists have experience caring for people with common and complex forms of neuromuscular disease. Eligible patients have access to sophisticated testing options, like skin punch biopsies, that are not widely available. These services enable us to accurately diagnose the issue, so you receive focused care right from the start. And we provide trusted, around-the-clock treatment for neuromuscular disease emergencies.
More Information About Neuromuscular Disease

    Neuromuscular disease includes a broad range of conditions, some of which run in families.

    We specialize in neuromuscular diseases such as:

    • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects nerve cells that control muscle movement.
    • Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare disorder in which the body attacks nerve tissue and its fatty protective covering.
    • Myasthenia gravis causes bouts of sudden, severe muscle weakness. If symptoms affect breathing muscles, it can lead to a medical emergency (myasthenic crisis).
    • Myopathies affect voluntary muscle movements. Causes include other medical conditions, inflammation and certain medications.
    • Peripheral neuropathies affect nerves other than those in the brain and spinal cord. You may experience symptoms affecting your legs, arms and other areas of the body.

Neuromuscular Disease at Nuvance Health: Why Choose Us?

You receive care from doctors who are board certified in neuromuscular medicine and neurophysiology. These specialists have additional training and years of experience in diagnosing and treating a broad range of neuromuscular diseases. Highlights of our program include:

  • Comprehensive testing
    We regularly perform EMG studies evaluating nerve and muscle functioning. You also have access to advanced testing options that are not widely available, including skin punch biopsies for peripheral neuropathy. These tests help you receive the treatments that meet your needs.
  • Coordination
    Treatments often include medications and therapies that help you get relief from stubborn symptoms and slow disease progression. Doctors work with physical, occupational and speech therapists to tailor therapies, so you get the more of each session.
  • Timely care for emergencies
    During a myasthenic crisis, the muscles that help you breathe become too weak to do their job. We’re here for you with emergency care in locations throughout New York’s Hudson Valley and Western Connecticut. Neuromuscular disease specialists are also available around the clock to guide treatments.

Symptoms of Neuromuscular Disease

Neuromuscular diseases cause a variety of symptoms, including:

  • Feeling unsteady on your feet
  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • Pain, numbness and tingling
  • Muscle cramps
  • Vision problems, including droopy eyelids

Neuromuscular Disease Evaluation

We listen carefully as you share your medical history, symptoms and any neurologic issues in your family.


An evaluation may also include:

  • Neurologic exam to check your reflexes and muscle strength
  • Electromyogram (EMG) testing to measure responses to electrical activity in the nerves and muscles
  • Skin punch biopsy, which uses a small sample of skin to examine the health of your nerve cells

Neuromuscular Disease Treatment

We offer a broad range of neuromuscular disease treatments, including:

  • Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG): This treatment delivers immunity-boosting proteins through a vein in your arm. You may need IVIG if you are experiencing severe muscle weakness from myasthenia gravis.
  • Medications: We prescribe medications to relieve specific symptoms or prevent them from worsening.
  • Occupational therapy: If muscle weakness is getting in the way of daily activities, therapists show you new methods of performing them.
  • Plasma exchange: This treatment removes the abnormal immune system proteins (antibodies) from your blood and replaces them with healthy substitutes.
  • Physical therapy: Light exercise helps preserves muscle strength and may relieve pain.
  • Respiratory therapy: We teach you techniques that help your lungs work efficiently and lower the risk of complications like pneumonia.
  • Speech therapy: Therapists teach you methods for communicating or swallowing if these tasks become difficult.
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