Intramuscular Stimulation

Intramuscular Stimulation

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IMS is used to treat neuropathic pain which is caused by irritation and/or pressure on the nerves causing specific muscles to become shortened and hypersensitive. Many chronic pain conditions are caused by neuropathic pain and can occur in the absence of significant inflammation or tissue damage. Since neuropathic pain can exist without ongoing inflammation or tissue damage, painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications may provide only temporary relief or have no effect at all. In addition, x-rays, CT’s, MRI’s and other diagnostic tests may not show any visible signs of injury.

HOW IMS WORKS

IMS is able to treat this neuropathic pain by desensitizing affected nerves and muscles using acupuncture needles. It is important to note that there is no use of electricity with IMS, rather it is the mechanical simulation of the insertion of the needle into the affected muscles that provides the therapeutic effect. The needle activates a reflex causing the muscle to release and in doing so, eases the pain. Inserting the needle also creates a minor therapeutic injury to the area, stimulating the body to increase local circulation and activate its healing systems. The technique is particularly effective for deep muscles that can be difficult or impossible to reach with other forms of treatment. For example, there are some muscles around the spine and pelvis that are too deep to be treated with massage, and can only be addressed with a needle.

Length of treatment is approximately: 30min

Treatment Frequency: 1 treatment per week for 4-8 weeks for most cases

CONDITIONS THAT CAN BE TREATED BY IMS

A broad range of musculoskeletal/orthopedic problems are successfully treated using the relatively new technique of Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS). We can treat a variety of ailments using IMS including:

• Chronic Tendonitis or Bursitis
• Low back pain
• Neck pain and whiplash
• Plantar fasciitis
• Repetitive Stain Injuries
• Shin splints
• Spinal disc problems
• TMJ pain
• Arthritic conditions
• Headaches
• Myofascial Pain Syndrome
• Patellofemoral syndrome
• Recurrent or Persistent Injuries (including sports injuries)
• Sciatica/piriformis syndrome
• Shoulder injuries (including frozen shoulder)
• Tennis/Golfers elbow
• Torticollis

It is important to note that IMS is NOT EFFECTIVE for non-musculoskeletal based pain, such as the following:

• Chronic inflammatory pain (active arthritic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis)

• Pain related to cancer

• Metabolic neuropathies (diabetes)

• Degenerative neurological conditions (Lou Gehrigs’s disease, Parkinson’s disease)

If you have one of these conditions, it is unlikely that IMS will be recommended as your best treatment option.

Stay Healthy During Summer

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Staying healthy during the summer months requires more than just eating the right foods. Here is a partial list of things to do that will help you stay cool and healthy during the hot summer months:

1. Drink plenty of water. It is very important to drink water. Your body needs water to prevent dehydration during warm summer days. Take special care to make sure infants and toddlers drink enough water. They can become dehydrated much more easily than adults.

2. If you have asthma or other respiratory problems, keep a careful watch on the daily air quality reports. Also, don’t forget to take your inhaler or other medication with you when you go out.

3. Take a rest or nap. Don’t push yourself beyond your physical limits.

4. Wear Sunscreen. Sunburn is painful and unhealthy. Use a sunscreen that is right for your skin.

5. Stay Cool. Wear light, loose-fitting clothing to help you stay cooler.

6. Wear Sunglasses. Sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays.

7. Maintain your energy levels by limiting your intake of fat and sugar; focus on carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables.

8. Before leaving for vacation pack a few items (calamine lotion, baking soda) that will help with itchy or painful insect bites.

9. If you have allergies and plan to be traveling/vacationing, find out which plants will be pollinating in your vacation spot.

10. Know your body. If you are feeling ill, see a doctor. An average of 120 people dies in Toronto each year due to extreme heat.

Also, seeing a Chiropractor regularly during the summer months can also help boost your immune system.

Can your brain breathe?

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Even though you can breathe normally your brain may not be getting enough oxygen. Lack of oxygen in the brain is not something the average person can recognize. However it can cause poor brain function and increase the risk of vascular dementia, the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s. The brain can be hungry for oxygen years or decades before dementia sets in. Risk factors include high or low blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, smoking, alcoholism, and high cholesterol.

By learning to recognize symptoms you can take action to increase oxygenation of your brain, improve brain function, and reduce your risk of vascular dementia.

How to tell whether your brain can breathe

The brain contains one of the body’s most dense networks of blood vessels, which carry oxygen. It is very susceptible to any hindrances in blood flow. When the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain is hindered, brain cells die and the brain degenerates.

Many conditions can affect blood flow to the brain, things not normally associated with brain function. They include:

• Smoking

• Chronic inflammation (such as chronic pain, an autoimmune disease, or other inflammatory disorder)

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

• High blood sugar (insulin resistance)

• Hypothyroidism

• Diabetes

• Anemia

• Chronic stress

• Aging

Symptoms that may alert you to poor flow of blood and oxygen to the brain include cold hands and feet, becoming easily fatigued, brain fog, erectile dysfunction, and chronic toenail and fingernail fungus.

How to help your brain breathe better

Two of the most effective ways to oxygenate the brain are to lower inflammation and stabilize blood sugar. An anti-inflammatory diet is designed to lower overall inflammation in the body, which can boost blood flow to the brain. Be sure to eat a hearty breakfast with protein, eat regularly enough to avoid blood sugar lows (but avoid overeating), and avoid foods that spike your blood sugar, such as sweets or refined carbohydrates. Just focusing on an anti-inflammatory whole foods diet can go a long way to improving blood flow to the brain.

Certain herbs improve oxygenation to the brain. They include Ginkgo biloba, vinpocetine, and Butcher’s broom.

How to exercise to improve blood flow to the brain

Exercise is a great way to improve overall blood flow. High-intensity interval training in particular dilates blood vessels, lowers inflammation, and improves blood flow to the brain. This involves reaching your maximum heart rate with just a short but vigorous burst of exercise, resting, and repeating. It’s important, however, to work within your ability and avoid overtraining or you’ll negate the benefits. Even just a few minutes of high-intensity exercise can improve blood flow in the brain.

Improving blood flow to the brain may also include managing hypothyroidism, anemia, or other conditions. The book Why Isn’t My Brain Working? by Datis Kharrazian covers the topic of brain oxygenation. Ask my office for advice on improving brain health.

PRI Nutrition Plans and Physiotherapy Guided Exercises Programs provide cutting-edge techniques designed to maintain your brain healthy and reverse disease.

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