Have you ever experienced pain originating in the muscles and fascia? When you touch certain trigger or tender points, do your muscle rattles in pain? Nearly everyone experiences this type of pain at some point in life.
When myofascial pain becomes chronic, you should be worried. If you have recurrent muscle pain, chances are you have tried several painkillers with no success. Despite the quick fixes, it feels like your muscles never relax.
Intramuscular stimulation (IMS) or dry needling can help ease the pain and stiffness caused by chronic muscle pain. Read Synergy Health Centre’s blog on IMS treatment, how it works, its effects, and its benefits for treatment in Victoria, BC.
What Is IMS?
Intramuscular stimulation is a physiotherapy treatment for acute and chronic pain of neuropathic origin. Also known as trigger point dry needling, the treatment involves the insertion of acupuncture-type needles into the affected muscles to eliminate the hyperirritable areas in the muscle.
How IMS or Dry Needling Works
Before initiating treatment, an IMS-trained physiotherapist assesses if a patient is suitable for dry needling treatment. Among the tests run include palpation, system tests, and movement screens.
The treatment involves the use of filament needles, which are placed on trigger points. The trigger points are acidic and contain metabolites, which cause irritable pain.
Each of the needles is placed for a few seconds. Gradually the physiotherapist changes the depth and direction of the needle, causing a twitch in the muscle.
Cramping and twitching of muscles are because of the stretch reflex. Depending on the patient, they may experience different levels of discomfort. Healthy muscles should experience little discomfort.
The science behind IMS needling is to normalize the stretch reflex and reset length-tension in the muscle. The needles cause stimulation which triggers spinal cord reaction. The reaction causes the muscles to relax and influence normal nerve functioning.
Dry Needling Benefits
The benefits and effects of dry needling are scientifically proven. The physiotherapy technique provides relief for some muscular pain and stiffness.
IMS needling also eases the trigger points. This may improve flexibility and increase range of motion. Serious side effects with dry needling are rare. The common side effects are bruising, bleeding, and temporary soreness.
IMS treatment commonly treats headaches, back pain, whiplash, and stiffness in muscles and joints.
How to Find a Dry Needling Practitioner
If you are considering IMS treatment, you need a physiotherapist who has completed IMS certification. At Synergy Health Centre in Victoria, BC, our team of physiotherapists is certified in IMS and dry needling treatment.
If you think you can benefit from IMS, it is important to consult with one of our physiotherapists.
Don’t delay treatment if you think you need it. When chronic myofascial pain is properly diagnosed and treated, the pain is controllable.
To learn more about IMS treatment, contact us today.
