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What is IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation)?IMS is a treatment for chronic pain developed by Dr. Chan Gunn who practices in Canada. It is a very powerful tool used to treat the pain that arises in muscles when the nerves, which supply those muscles, become dysfunctional. The technique requires the placement of thin, flexible needles, such as those used in traditional acupuncture, into muscles. The treatment is very different than acupuncture, even though similar needles are used in both. How does IMS work?There are several different types of pain. Acute pain, in which tissues have been damaged, is useful to the body. It serves as a warning signal that action must be taken to remove the offending or traumatic agent. Often the cause of acute pain is immediately obvious—a cut, burn, or other damaging event. Chronic pain, on the other hand, serves no useful purpose. Often the cause remains indefinable despite extensive medical investigation. Intramuscular stimulation is effective for a particular type of chronic pain—what we call neuropathic pain. This type of pain occurs when nerves malfunction. This neuropathy causes the muscles supplied by the dysfunctional nerves to become extremely sensitive. In this condition, the muscles shorten, or contract. Harmless signals in the muscles are exaggerated and misperceived as being painful. These shortened, hypersensitive muscles contain tight bands, or trigger points. By stimulating the muscle, the dysfunctional nerve supplying it can be treated and normalized. Needling the muscle is the best way to stimulate it. How do the nerves become dysfunctional?The most common cause of nerve dysfunction is spinal degeneration, known as spondylosis. This occurs in both the neck and low back, and is part of the “wear and tear process” of ageing. For the treatment to be effective, the part of the spine from which the dysfunctional nerve (or nerves) originate, as well as all the muscles supplied by those nerves, must be treated. It takes a detailed medical evaluation to determine the appropriate treatment sites. What can I expect from the treatment?Placement of the needles is usually not painful, until the needle enters the shortened muscle. The patient will then experience a deep aching sensation—very different than the pain usually associated with an injection. We consider this a “good pain”, since it indicates that the muscle is indeed shortened and hypersensitive. The number of muscle points stimulated will depend upon how many areas are involved, and how well the patient tolerates the deep aching sensation. It will take between 4-10 IMS sessions to complete the treatment course. Usually, about 1-2 weeks is allowed in between treatment sessions to allow healing to occur. Following the session, the patient may experience some temporary soreness, which should resolve within a day or so. Often, patients feel better immediately following the treatment. Why Would I want this procedure over acupuncture? It seems more dangerous?In traditional acupuncture, needle placement is based on Chinese philosophy into non-scientific meridians. A medical examination and medical diagnosis is irrelevant in acupuncture. IMS requires a detailed medical evaluation, with needle placement guided by objective findings. In acupuncture needles are placed into the superficial or subcutaneous tissues; in IMS needles are placed into deep muscles. What conditions can IMS treat?IMS can be effective for chronic low back or neck pain, certain types of headaches, and various other musculoskeletal problems such as tennis elbow, tendonitis, or shin splints. What are the risks of IMS? Any time the skin is broken with a needle there is risk of bruising, or bleeding, nerve damage, or infection. If needles are placed in or near the chest the risk of lung collapse is present. These risks are all extremely rare and will be discussed further with you before the treatment. |
