IMS Acupuncture

What is IMS acupuncture?
Intramuscular stimulation (IMS) is a form of acupuncture also known as medical acupuncture or dry needling. It uses acupuncture needles to help with myofascial pain conditions that are caused by nerve dysfunction. IMS treatment is based on the anatomy and neurology of the body. It should not be confused with traditional acupuncture, which is based on traditional Chinese medicine and uses predetermined acupuncture points.

How can IMS acupuncture help?
IMS aims to ease nerve irritation and relax muscle tension and spasm, and so allow the body to recover normal, pain-free function. It can help with problems such as tennis elbow, achilles tendonitis, sciatica, neck and shoulder stiffness.

How does IMS work?
Intramuscular stimulation is a system of examination and treatment of myofascial pain conditions generated by nerve dysfunction. This can lead to muscle spasm, hyper-irritability and pain, and can also cause thickening of the tendons which attach muscle to bone.

IMS uses disposable sterile acupuncture needles to relax the shortened muscles and soothe irritated nerves. Intramuscular Stimulation can have three potential effects:

  • Relaxation of the taut muscle
  • Soothe the nerve irritation causing the spasm
  • Increase the blood flow and healing factors to the area

Examination and Treatment

By easing the nerve irritation, IMS allows the shortened muscle to relax and lengthen, and take pressure off the tendon.

Neuropathic dysfunction is not visible and cannot be assessed using MRI, X-rays or other scanning methods. IMS requires an experienced practitioner to conduct a thorough examination of the musculoskeletal system to identify shortened muscles generated by nerve dysfunction.

Chris Wilson has attended training by Dr. Gunn, the founder of IMS, and has been assessing and treating myofascial pain patients for over 20 years.

Treatment is usually weekly, and recent IMS research into low back pain suggested 8-9 treatments were required. Healing rates are dependent on age, injury and overall health.

If other treatments have failed and you want to find out more, ring the clinic and speak to Chris 01403 252228.