IMS/Dry needling

Intra muscular stimulation (IMS) is great at treating hypersensitivity, which is one of the most difficult aspects of chronic pain. The result of the nerve and tissue being hypersensitive is pain with significantly less stimuli.  In the muscle tissue, this leads to shortening of the muscle and resetting of what a muscle thinks is an appropriate length.  When this muscle shortening occurs around the spinal muscles, compression of the disc, spinal joints and consequently the spinal nerves can occur.  When the shortening occurs elsewhere it may increase the tension on tendons and also the compression of joints.  All of these can create secondary injuries.

When inserting a needle using IMS technique the results are threefold:

1. A contraction is initiated which stimulates a stretch receptor in the muscle, producing a reflex relaxation (lengthening) of the muscle.  Once this is done a second component of the same receptor causes the muscle to reset its “normal” resting length to this length.  
2. The needle also causes a small injury that draws blood to the area, initiating the many natural healing chemicals to the site. 
3. The treatment creates an electrical potential in the muscle to make the nerve function normally again. 

The effects of IMS treatments are cumulative. Eventually the condition is healed and the pain disappears. 

How often should I have IMS/Dry needling?

Treatments are usually once a week to allow time between treatments for the body to heal itself. The number of treatments you require will depend on several factors such as:

• the duration and extent of your condition
• how much scar tissue there is, (usually increased after previous surgery)
• how quickly your body can heal depending on the condition of your nerves

For a more detailed explanation of IMS treatment, please see our IMS website by clicking here.