What is Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) Therapy & Dry Needling?
Dry Needling and Intramuscular stimulation IMS both involve inserting tiny acupuncture filaments into the affected areas of the body without injecting any substance. The needle sites can be targeted at the site of taut, painful muscle bands, and/or can be near the spine where the nerve root may have become irritated and super-sensitive.
The goal of both of these tools is to reset a muscle that is in a state of dysfunction due to injury, tightness, poor communication or movement patterns that results in feeling continued tightness or lack of firing that just won’t go away.
In layman’s terms, the treatment uses acupuncture needles, to target specific muscles that have contracted and become shortened. These shortened muscles compress and irritate the nerves. This treatment can greatly reduce tightness and pain, while increasing flexibility and range of motion. In addition, the treatment increases blood flow to the injured tissue and helps to remodel painful scar tissue.
Typically positive results are apparent within 2-4 treatment sessions but can vary depending on the cause and duration of the symptoms. Dry needling and IMS physiotherapy is an effective treatment with a hands-on approach for acute and chronic pain, rehabilitation from injury, and even pain and injury prevention, with very few side effects. This technique is unequaled in finding and eliminating neuromuscular dysfunction that leads to pain and functional deficits.
It is important to view Dry Needling or IMS treatment as one aspect of your rehabilitation plan of care. It is vital to perform the other aspects of physical therapy along with IMS or Dry Needling. This may include manual therapy, manipulative therapy, medical acupuncture, physical activity, active rehabilitation, therapeutic exercise, myofascial release techniques, soft tissue release and mobilization, concussion care, deep tissue, chiropractic care, other modalities and most importantly an individualized exercise program.
IMS or dry needling will often elicit a muscle twitch response, which can help reset biochemical and electrical dysfunction within the muscle. This twitch response may feel like a cramping sensation locally or you may feel a referral of pain or similar symptoms for which you are seeking treatment.
A reproduction of your pain can be a helpful diagnostic indicator of the cause of your symptoms. You may soon learn to recognize and even welcome this sensation as it results in deactivating the trigger point, thereby reducing pain and restoring normal length and function of the involved muscle.
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Market Mall Physio & Chiro , your health is our number one priority so we’ve redesigned our clinic and safety protocols to keep you and our team safe.
Common Conditions and Types of Injuries Successfully Treated With IMS Therapy or Dry Needling Physiotherapy In Calgary NW
Will IMS or Dry Needling Treatments Help Me?
You can benefit from IMS or Dry Needling if you are experiencing:
Chronic Injuries
Do you have injuries that constantly become re-aggravated? Tired of trying the same treatments with no results? Does this prevent you from achieving your goals?
Urinary Leakage
Muscles that constantly feel “tight”, or temporary relief with stretching or exercise, but no significant lasting changes or improvements.
Prolapse
Difficulty with improving your golf swing or sport technique? Dry Needling or IMS with an experienced physiotherapist can improve your activity and help achieve your goals!
Meet our Physiotherapists and Acupuncturist
Talk to your Physiotherapist about your condition and get back to doing what you love… pain-free.
Online Treatment Also Available
Although Video Consultations aren’t a new service, it may be new to you. And you may have some concerns or questions that need to be answered before you start treatment. Consider our no charge video consult where you will get all of your questions answered by a registered physiotherapist.
5 Things To Do After Dry Needling and IMS
At Market Mall Physio & Chiro we always take an individualized approach to treatment and provide you with the best plan and home care instructions, which mostly varies from patient to patient. But, By Following These Five Helpful Steps Following Treatment, You Can Improve Your Symptoms and Reduce Your Pain!
Hydrate
After Dry Needling or IMS, the muscles have released energy through a local twitch response. Your muscles will need water to rehydrate to assist in their recovery.
Light Activity
Dry Needling or IMS promotes restoration of the natural resting tension length of the muscle, thus reducing any trigger points that are impeding blood flow to the injured tissue. Performing light daily activities following a treatment session continues to encourage blood flow to the site and the remodelling of scar tissue.
Massage
Massage therapy with a foam roller or a trigger point ball following treatment. The post treatment soreness can be mitigated with increasing blood flow to the injured tissue through massage.
Heat
Heat is a great tool to use to reduce post treatment soreness as well as increasing blood flow to the injured tissue. Increasing blood flow to the treatment site can continue to promote tissue healing and improve the extensibility of the tissue.
Minimize Alcohol Intake
Alcohol is a diuretic – which means it causes your body to release more water, and thus can make you dehydrated. As your muscles are recovering from IMS or Dry Needling, staying hydrated is important in their recovery.
Areas We Serve:
Our patients come from all across Calgary including:
Frequently Asked Questions About IMS Therapy
Market Mall Physio & Chiro
Clinic Hours:
Monday 8a.m. – 8p.m.
Tuesday 8a.m. – 8p.m.
Wednesday 8 a.m. – 8p.m.
Thursday 8a.m. – 8p.m.
Friday 7a.m. – 8p.m.
Saturday 9a.m. – 3p.m.
Sunday Closed
Insurance Covered Physiotherapy, Chiropractor. Direct Billing is available for additional insurance coverage.