Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) is a commonly used treatment method for neuropathic injuries. Very fine needles are inserted into the body to help relax sore muscles that may be linked to other motion problems. Many medical researchers believe that Gunn’s IMS is one of the best treatments for chronic and acute pains resulting from neuropathy.
What is the treatment process like?
When you visit the SEMI clinic, a licensed physiotherapist or physician will first examine your condition. A physical examination is mandatory because most neuropathic injuries are not easily detected on x-rays or CT scans.
The aim is to relax tightened or contracted muscles, which otherwise continue to irritate the nerves and make movement painful. The procedure involves the licensed sports medicine professional who inserts fine, sterile needles in the body, precisely where the muscles have contracted. This results in a slight twitch, which then releases the muscles tightness.
An IMS treatment looks very similar to acupuncture and that’s mainly because it targets the causes of long-term muscular pain. The treatment may occur in a series of stages, with each stage corresponding to a greater level of muscular stimulation. Sports medicine practitioners tend to stimulate the muscles slowly to let the individual adapt to muscle sensitivity.
What type of injuries can IMS treat?
IMS is usually used as an effective treatment for chronic neuropathy—which is essentially a dysfunction in the peripheral nerves. The condition often includes nerve or tissue damage that is not readily observable such as backache, whiplash, tennis elbow and fibromyalgia.
Even when the nerve endings are extremely sensitive and can cause shooting pain, there are usually little to no signs of inflammation. Some common musculoskeletal injuries that can be treated with IMS include but are not limited to:
- Arthritic conditions
- Achilles tendonitis
- Whiplash pain
- Chronic tendonitis
- Myofascial pain
- Neck injury
- Acute sports injuries
- Golfer’s elbow
- Tennis elbow
- Headaches
- Plantar fascitis
- Sciatica
- Shin splints
- Shoulder sprains or frozen shoulders
- Problems in the spinal disc
Why Choose IMS?
The main benefit of choosing IMS is that the treatment prevents taut muscles from being in continuous spasm. Once the contracted muscles have been relaxed, physiotherapists use manual therapy to help rehab your movement and performance.
IMS also helps target the root cause of the problem, focusing on desensitizing the areas. You may be able to experience changes in your condition almost immediately.
If you’re interested in dry needling or IMS treatment, please give us a call at 1 844 223-7364 or book an appointment for our Thornhill, St. Clair or Sheppard clinics.
SEMI is a collection of three sports medicine clinics located in the greater Toronto area. We offer sports medicine related treatments such as acupuncture, shockwave therapy and PRP injections, among others.
