IMS for Achilles Tendinopathy

​We've discussed before the symptoms of Achilles tendinopathy, and what potential factors may be contributing to your injury (click here if you missed that article, or would like to read it again). However, sometimes simply treating the calf is not sufficient. For conditions caused by deep-rooted dysfunction, a treatment option called IMS (intramuscular stimulation) is a fantastic alternative that yields immense relief. 

As we have previously explained, Achilles tendinopathy is often caused from repeated strain on the tendon, causing more microtraumas to the tissue than the body is able to heal. Over time, these micro-injuries accumulate to result in the pain and dysfunction that you experience. Oftentimes, overly tight calves and feet can be the culprit behind this extensive strain on the Achilles tendon. However, for some people, massaging or stretching these tight muscles just doesn't seem to make a difference, and the muscles are chronically tightened.

​
In these instances, IMS therapy is incredibly effective. IMS therapy, also known as dry-needling, is a technique where a thin acupuncture needle is inserted into a muscle, eliciting a "twitch" response and triggering the muscle to relax (to find out more about how it works click here) .

Sometimes dysfunction in your back can cause pressure on your nerve roots.  These nerve roots come from your back and are what supply the peripheral nerves that control your muscles (such as your calf muscles) with a signal to turn on or off.   In cases where your L5 or S1 nerve roots are compressed in your back, your calf muscles will constantly be bombarded with a low grade signal turning them on.  This makes it difficult for the Achilles tendon to heal, as it is under constant tension.  Therefore when you get up and move greater forces are exerted on the tendon and at rest it is still being subjected to a pull.  This makes it nearly impossible for you to fully recover from your tendon injury.

IMS is a therapy that is fast enough to provide very useful treatment to both the back and the  calf/foot. Since the calf muscles can be particularly strong and thick, IMS therapy is extremely useful for relieving muscle tightness here, as it is target muscles deep within the calf that are otherwise very difficult to release by manual therapy or other treatments.  Relief is often immediate, and patients find that after only a few visits they have noticeable improvement in their motion and function!

If you have been suffering from an extended case of Achilles tendinopathy, you can click here to book in with James, Jim, or Damien today to see if dry-needling treatment is right for you!