What is IMS and how does it work?
Intra-Muscular Stimulation (IMS) is a system for diagnosing and treating chronic neuropathic induced pain, or nerve-related pain.
IMS is a dry needling procedure that reduces adverse muscle tone, trigger points or tight muscle bands.
By inserting dry needles into shortened, supersensitive muscle bands, a reflex reaction causes the muscle to relax, in turn decreasing pressure on associated tendons and joints, leading to a reduction of inflammation and pain.
IMS is essentially designed to decrease nerve root impingements by decreasing surround muscle spasms that put pressure on the nerve. This helps reduce joint compression and return joints to a normal state of alignment.
Inserting the very fine gauge IMS needles through the skin and into tight muscle bands involves no pain, however penetration of supersensitive muscle tissue will evoke a deep, dull aching sensation and often will cause a reflex in the muscle where it twitches or grabs around the needle for a few seconds.
The sensation can be uncomfortable but is short-lived as muscles relax.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments required depends on each individual and the condition being treated.
In some cases, a couple of treatments may be all that’s needed. In more chronic cases, treatments may continue for several weeks.
Treatment sessions will last 30 – 45 minutes and results may be experienced almost immediately or occur within a few hours or days.