IMS is a similar technique to acupuncture and uses fine needles to treat tight muscle bands that are implicated in many chronic and painful conditions such as neck and back pain as well as many other soft tissue injuries. However IMS differs from acupuncture in its application because needle insertion is indicated by the physical signs, as opposed to the non-scientific meridians of Chinese acupuncture.

The needle insertion into your skin is often not felt and if your muscle is normal, the application is painless. If, however your muscle is supersensitive and shortened you will feel a sensation like a cramp or a Charlie horse as the needling causes the abnormal muscle shortening to intensify very briefly and then release. This is a distinctive type of discomfort caused by the muscle grasping the needle, which then very quickly disappears and is followed by a feeling of relaxation in the muscle. It is important to experience this sensation in order to gain lasting relief. The effects of IMS are cumulative – needling stimulates a certain amount of healing, until eventually the condition can more fully recover and pain dissipates and muscles loosen.

There are many conditions treatable with IMS, more frequent are those caused by nerve irritation.   Pain that shows no obvious sign of tissue damage or inflammation such as headaches, backaches, “tennis elbow”, “frozen shoulder”, chronic muscle pain and a host of other soft tissue complaints are difficult to treat with traditional methods. The concept of “neuropathic pain” can help to explain this type of pain. Typically this occurs when nerves malfunction following minor irritation. Nerves and nerve endings become extremely sensitive and cause normal, harmless signals to be exaggerated and misperceived as painful ones. This is known as supersensitivity. The result is pain, even when medical tests show there is “nothing wrong”.

Supersensitivity cannot be operated on and muscle shortening from the supersensitivity cannot be readily stretched out. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication only mask the pain. The goal of IMS is to release muscle shortening which presses on and irritates the nerves. Supersensitive areas can be desensitized and the persistent pull of shortened muscles released with IMS.

Do you have supersensitive areas and would like to learn more?

At PRI, most therapy services are covered by most extended health insurance companies and in some cases Veterans Affairs and Medicare – such as OHIP (Ontario). Not sure if you’re covered? No problem. We can help you find out (and usually within the hour). Just call us (416) 477-1101

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