Dry needling/IMS Therapy
Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) is a total system for the assessment and treatment of myofascial pain syndromes (chronic pain conditions that occur in the musculoskeletal system when there is no obvious sign of injury or inflammation). At first glance, IMS may appear similar to acupuncture as it uses very thin needles to 'dry needle' affected areas without the injection of any substance. However, IMS differs from acupuncture in its application because needle insertion is indicated by physical signs as opposed to the predetermined meridians of acupuncture. IMS is based on known scientific, neurophysiological principles. Consistent with the current understanding of persistent pain, at least some of these pain conditions are a result of altered function and hypersensitivity of nerves in the peripheral nervous system and IMS also focuses on assessing and treating the dysfunction of the nerve roots as they exit the spine.
The goal of IMS is to release muscle shortening which further presses on and irritates the nerves. Supersensitive areas can be desensitized and the persistent pull of shortened muscles reduced with IMS. The effects of IMS are cumulative - each needling session stimulates a certain amount of healing, until eventually the condition can more fully recover and pain dissipates as muscles loosen.
Many individuals will find relief with IMS, particularly those with difficult, treatment-resistant chronic pain conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, “pinched nerves” and tendonitis. IMS can effectively help with:
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Achilles Tendonitis
· Acute Sports Injuries
· Arthritic Conditions
· Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
· Chronic Tendonitis or Bursitis
· Chronic “Whiplash” Pain
· Chronic Pain
· Frozen Shoulder
· Golfers Elbow
· Headaches
· Iliotibial Band Syndrome
· Jaw and TMJ Pain
· Low Back Pain
· Myofascial Pain Syndrome
· Myofascial Trigger Points
· Neck Pain
· Patello-femoral Syndrome
· Piriformis Syndrome
· Plantar Fascitis
· Recurrent or Persistent Injuries
· Repetitive Strain Injuries
· Sciatica
· Shin Splints
· Shoulder Injuries
· Spinal Disc Problems
· Sports Injuries
· Tennis Elbow
· Torticollis
· Trigger Finger
Get to Know Dryneedling
Successful treatment always begins with a thorough assessment. The therapist identifies the tissues to target with the dry needling technique. Each person’s experience will vary as treatment is tailored to the patient’s sensitivity and tolerance. Insertion of the needles will produce a variety of sensations, possibly including a “cramping” sensation as the sensitized muscles react to needle insertion. The number of treatments you require will vary depending upon several factors such as the duration and extent of your condition. If the pain is of recent origin, one or two treatments may be all that is necessary. More chronic problems usually require more treatments.