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- What is IMS<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Benefits of IMS<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Conditions that IMS can treat effectively<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re ready to learn more about how IMS can help reduce your chronic pain, then keep reading!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Are you dealing with acute or chronic pain that just won’t go away? If so, you may be interested in Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS)<\/a>, a comprehensive system for the diagnosis and treatment of myofascial pain syndromes. IMS is an effective, non-invasive solution to all types of chronic musculoskeletal pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
IMS is a form of dry needling therapy where an acupuncture-type needle is inserted into a muscle in a specific location, the goal of which is to locate and release areas of restricted muscle activity or tension, which can cause increased pressure or irritation on the nerves that feed into those muscles. By releasing these areas, it reduces nerve irritation and improves blood circulation in the affected area, resulting in reduced discomfort, better tissue nutrition, and improved movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IMS is offered by highly trained physiotherapists<\/a> or physicians. A thorough assessment is performed to identify the source of pain and determine if IMS\/dry needling is appropriate for the patient’s condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many people have experienced successful results with Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS). It is important to note that IMS does not provide an instant fix, but it can help improve chronic pain over time. If you are interested in exploring IMS as a treatment option, speak to your healthcare provider to determine if it is the right choice for you. With the right care and an open mind, this system can help bring relief from both acute and chronic pain – allowing you to take back control of your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Benefits of IMS Treatment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The goal of IMS Treatment is to treat underlying neuropathic conditions that cause pain and can be incredibly effective when performed correctly \u2013 even for chronic back pain with root signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are just some of its benefits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- It\u2019s an effective form of treatment without relying on injections or drugs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It works quickly, while still yielding long-term results<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It\u2019s relatively affordable when compared with other treatments<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It helps manage chronic pain without relying on invasive techniques<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It\u2019s safe and gentle enough for various age groups<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It can be used alongside other forms of treatment for managing chronic conditions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re looking for a drug-free way to manage your existing chronic conditions or prevent future pain and discomfort, then IMS Treatment could be right for you \u2013 it offers significant relief with minimal risk!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"ims](\"https:\/\/trimetricsphysio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ims-north-vancouver-chronic-pain-1024x683.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nConditions that IMS can treat effectively<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fortunately, IMS dry needling is an effective treatment option that can help alleviate chronic pain caused by neuropathy along with a wide range of other conditions and injuries that are related to shortened muscles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Neuropathic pain<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This type of pain is related to irritation or inflammation of nerves, often those of the neck or low back, however the source of nerve problems is not always at the nerve root. An irritated nerve will cause all the muscles it innervates to contract slightly due to problems at the place where these nerves attach to the muscle (these are the normal places we target the needle to treat the muscle). The chronically tight muscle will have less blood flow, will fatigue faster, injure more easily and become susceptible to chronic pain conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and other nerve entrapments<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
We include carpal tunnel syndrome here as one of many nerve entrapment syndromes. The carpal tunnel is located at the wrist and the classic case involves the release of these tissues at the wrist. IMS can help these types of conditions by releasing muscles that the nerve travels through. In this example of carpal tunnel syndrome, we can use the needle to release the forearm flexors and grip muscles of the forearm as well as the pronator teres muscle where the median nerve must travel through on its way to the wrist and hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tendonitis and chronic tendon injuries<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This treatment can treat the muscle which then relaxes the tendon to allow for greater healing potential as well as decreased risk of re-injury. We can also use this tool to reduce the muscle shortening of muscles in the same chain of tissues. Finally, we can treat shortened muscles at the level of nerve supply to the muscle-tendon unit, once again often getting to the heart of the cause of the tendonitis, improving treatment results and preventing re-injury.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoint issues:<\/strong>
<\/strong>If tight muscles are crossing a joint then a number of negative things can happen. Of course, the muscles can and will fatigue faster leaving the joint more exposed to injury. Then tighter muscles will increase compression forces on the joint, which hastens wear and tear.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMigraines and tension-type headaches<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
These conditions can have many causative factors, one of which is tension in the muscles at the base of the skull. There are many nerves in this region of the body that refer pain into the head, jaw, and behind the eyes. Treatment of all muscles with the needle is not always possible for safety reasons however we can often release tension at the base of the skull and upper neck which in turn can have profound benefits to the migraineur or headache sufferer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whiplash<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many people involved in motor vehicle accidents, work and sports injuries causing whiplash will be referred for IMS therapy to release tight muscles in the neck. This is not a stand-alone therapy of course as we must consider many factors with whiplash as will all injuries. However, IMS\/dry needling can be a very important piece of the treatment puzzle that exercise and deep tissue treatments are unable to provide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Repetitive Strain Injuries<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
These injuries can be best treated with a combination of exercises and IMS\/dry needling. As mentioned previously, chronically tight muscles are also weaker and more fatigued muscles that are predisposed to higher rates of injury. Furthermore, chronically tight muscles also have tendons that are in trouble and both these conditions can be effectively treated with IMS. Assuming that the nerve supply to the region of repetitive strain injury is also in trouble then we can apply the same treatment to the locations of the nerves as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This list is by no means exhaustive but it does provide an excellent starting point for a very large number of conditions that we see and treat on a daily basis using IMS\/dry needling technique at Trimetrics Physiotherapy, Clinical Pilates and Complementary Health.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
For those seeking relief from their nerve pain, here is an overview of what to expect:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Nociception<\/strong>: This is the immediate response conveyed to the brain signalling tissue injury (noxious input). An example would be a slap to the skin.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Inflammation<\/strong>: This type of pain is caused by a local response to cellular injury and it results in redness, swelling, heat, pain and sometimes loss of function. It is key in the process of eliminating noxious agents and healing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Neuropathy or Radiculopathic Pain: <\/strong>This is ongoing pain with no apparent sign, which comes from a malfunction in the peripheral nervous system resulting in supersensitivity in the sensory pain system. It is often mistaken as an issue with the central nervous system when it actually originates from problems in the PNS due to everyday wear and tear or overuse.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The good news is that medical professionals are now able to treat these categories of pain effectively through various techniques. Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) has emerged as one of most successful therapies for chronic nerve-based pains as it helps restore proper nerve function while reducing sensitivity at source points that contribute to persistent aches and pains throughout your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IMS therapy also offers long-term relief with an extremely low risk of infection or further damage to your nerves or muscles that commonly occur with many drug therapies used for treating nerve-related pains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Inflammation<\/strong>: This type of pain is caused by a local response to cellular injury and it results in redness, swelling, heat, pain and sometimes loss of function. It is key in the process of eliminating noxious agents and healing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Nociception<\/strong>: This is the immediate response conveyed to the brain signalling tissue injury (noxious input). An example would be a slap to the skin.<\/li>\n\n\n\n