What is Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) and How Can it Help My Recovery?
Our Physiotherapist and IMS practitioner Jenn Baardseth perfoming IMS on a client
Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) is a total system for the diagnosis and treatment of persistent myofascial pain syndromes including muscle, joint, tendon, bursal, fascial, neural and biomechanical problems. Physiotherapists will use IMS treatments for chronic neuropathic pains that often occur when nerves malfunction following a trauma that you have experienced. This trauma will cause your nerves to become extremely sensitive, potentially leading to muscle tightness and other issues. IMS treatment aims to relieve and release these muscles which have been pressing on your irritated nerves.
When you experience muscle tightness or pain, it is often caused by underlying issues in the nerves or muscles themselves. IMS works by targeting these areas directly, stimulating the muscle and helping to release tension. The needles used in IMS are extremely fine, and the treatment is often well tolerated.
Key Benefits of IMS (AKA Dry Needling):
Pain Relief:
This happens through 3 different mechanisms. The first being trigger point inactivation. Trigger points are tight, painful bands in a muscle that can create pain in other parts of the body. IMS targets these trigger points to reduce local and referred pain. The second mechanism is endorphin release. When an IMS needle is inserted into a muscle, the body’s nervous system is stimulated and promotes the release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers. The final mechanism is increased blood flow, which brings many benefits amongst reducing muscle spasms, relaxing muscles, and encouraging healing.
Muscle Relaxation and Tension Reduction:
IMS is specifically targeted towards areas of tension. As such, it provides rapid relief by causing the muscle to relax. IMS also introduces a micro-trauma into tight fascial systems, which improves range of motion and flexibility.
Improved Range of Motion:
By treating areas of muscle tightness and trigger points, IMS can help increase joint and muscle mobility, which is especially beneficial for people experiencing stiff or restricted movement due to injury or chronic pain conditions. IMS can speed up recovery and enhance the effectiveness of physical therapy by addressing underlying muscular restrictions.
Enhanced Healing and Tissue Repair:
Introducing a micro-trauma within a muscle promotes a healing response in muscle tissues by increasing local circulation. This brings oxygen and nutrients to the area, facilitating healing. The micro-injury created by the needle can also stimulate collagen production, leading to better tissue regeneration.
Reduced Chronic Pain:
IMS is effective for treating chronic pain conditions, especially related to nerve irritation or injury. It allows nerves to feed healthy nutrients to the muscles they serve. By stimulating the nervous system, it can help reduce pain signal transmission. Regular treatment may lead to a long-term reduction in pain, particularly in conditions where traditional pain management has been less effective.
Improved Postural and Functional Movement:
IMS addresses muscle imbalance by targeting muscles that are over or under active, improving overall posture and functional movement patterns. Athletes and active individuals may find that dry needling helps to prevent injury and improve performance by releasing muscle tightness and enhancing flexibility.
Overall, IMS can provide significant benefits, especially for individuals dealing with chronic pain, muscular tightness or dysfunction. It's important to work with a qualified healthcare professional, such as a physical therapist who is trained in IMS to ensure proper technique and safety. To Lean more email us, call us, or Click here to book an IMS session today!
Written by Jenn Baarseth, Physiotherapist and IMS practitioner at Ridgeline Physio in Fernie, BC
