IMS/Dry Needling

What is IMS/Dry Needling?

IMS is Intramuscular stimulation and dry needling is an ancient technique that is now applied with modern strategies. Recent research supports the effectiveness of dry needling for pain management and for treating many conditions including lower back and neck pain, osteoarthritis and nerve pain.

It can be used as part of a physiotherapy rehabilitation and pain management program alongside other physiotherapy treatments and modalities; such as joint and soft tissue mobilizations, specific exercises, laser, traction, ultrasound and TENS.  

Normally a course of 6 – 10 treatments is required to achieve the best results, however complete or lasting relief of symptoms may be achieved in just a couple of sessions, especially when needling is used to manage an acute problem. Most commonly a treatment will involve use of between 2 – 16 needles and they will be in place for 10 – 30 minutes. The needles may be inserted near the painful area and/or away from it to the hands and feet, or on the opposite side of the body. Insertion sites may be selected to treat trigger points in soft tissue, or specific traditional Chinese points may be used. The management plan will be tailor made to the individual; as treatments vary depending on the condition being treated, patient response and other modalities being used.

IMS and Dry Needling Helps Relieve

• Rotator cuff issues of the shoulder

• Tennis elbow

• Golfers elbow

• Plantar fasciitis

• Tenosynovitis of the hand

• Migraines/Tension headaches

• TMJ pain

• Whiplash injuries

• Sleep disorders

• Anxiety/stress

• SIJ dysfunction

• IT Band syndrome