Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) Dry Needling Vancouver / Olympic Village
IMS, or Intramuscular Stimulation, is a dry needling technique that involves a thin acupuncture needle being inserted into chronically tight muscles to create a reflex release of that muscle.
This allows for decreased pressure on the joints, normalizes tone in the muscle and helps to alleviate pain.
IMS therapy is part of a system of treatment to address chronic pain generated from nerve roots and can be extremely beneficial for long-standing symptoms that have not responded to manual therapy and exercise alone.
All of our therapists who practice Intramuscular Stimulation have undergone either the Gunn IMS or Acupuncture Canada training required by the College of Physical Therapists of BC.
What to Expect During IMS Therapy
The number of needles and points of insertion will depend on your specific injury needs as well as your tolerance of the needles. There is often a cramping sensation around the needle when it enters the tight bands of that muscle and then a reflex relaxation following this. It is common to experience mild discomfort for 24–48 hours following the treatment, and it is recommended that you not perform rigorous exercise on the same day.
IMS sessions are usually recommended no more than once weekly, and the total number of sessions will depend on your injury needs.
Your First IMS Session at Alaia
At your first session, your IMS physiotherapist will:
Take a detailed history of your symptoms, activities, and any previous treatments.
Perform a thorough physical examination, including posture, movement, joint mobility, and muscle testing.
Identify any patterns of nerve irritation and muscle shortening that may be contributing to your pain.
Discuss whether IMS therapy is appropriate for you, explain the procedure, and answer your questions.
If you decide to proceed, Intramuscular Stimulation is usually combined with other treatments in the same session. Before you leave, your physiotherapist will often give you specific exercises or movement guidelines to help reinforce the benefits of the needling and support your recovery between sessions.
How Intramuscular Stimulation Works
Many chronic pain conditions are driven by irritated or sensitive nerves. When a nerve malfunctions or is not functioning optimally, the muscles it supplies can become shortened, tight, and tender. Over time, this muscle tightness can compress joints, irritate surrounding muscle tissues, and create a cycle of ongoing pain and stiffness.
IMS uses a very fine, solid needle to directly target these shortened muscle bands. When the needle reaches a trigger point or tight band, the muscle often responds with a brief cramp or twitch. This response is a sign that the nerve muscle connection has been stimulated. After this reflex, the muscle is able to relax, blood flow improves, and the pressure on nearby joints and nerves is reduced.
By treating both the local muscle tension and the underlying neuropathic pain, IMS therapy can help decrease pain and muscle guarding, improve mobility in stiff joints and regions, and restore a more natural muscle length and movement pattern.
How IMS Therapy Fits Into Your Treatment Plan
At Alaia, Intramuscular Stimulation is rarely used in isolation. It is often one of several tools your physiotherapist may use as part of a personalized treatment plan designed around your specific goals.
A typical treatment plan that includes IMS therapy may also involve:
Hands-on manual physiotherapy treatment to restore joint and soft tissue mobility
Specific exercise prescription to build strength and control in the areas that have been overloaded
Movement re-education to help you change the way you move at work, in sport, and in daily life
Education and self-management strategies so you understand what is driving your chronic pain and how to prevent it from returning
Your physiotherapist will always assess you first, discuss your options, and decide together with you if IMS treatment is an appropriate adjunct to your care. For some people, IMS therapy is a key component in breaking through a plateau. For others, manual physiotherapy and exercise may be sufficient. Our goal is to use the right combination of treatments to help you get back to the activities you care about, pain-free and performance-ready.
IMS Services Staff
Questions about our IMS/Acupuncture services?
Please email us at info@alaia.ca or call the clinic at 604-812-4286.
For more information about IMS:
IMS FAQ
Intramuscular Stimulation is an effective treatment for a variety of conditions. It is typically used to treat painful conditions that affect the joints, tendons, fascia, and nerves. This includes conditions such as rotator cuff syndrome, myofascial syndrome, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, and many others that cause back, neck, elbow, hip, knee pain or shoulder pain. If you aren’t sure if IMS therapy is right for you, please feel free to contact us.
Usually, the best thing to do is book an appointment with one of our trained IMS physiotherapy staff members and have a comprehensive assessment to see if this IMS Therapy would be an effective addition to your personalized treatment plan.
The main benefit you can expect from Intramuscular Stimulation is a significant reduction in your pain. This will not only be from the decreased pressure on your nerves but also from your muscles loosening. You can also expect to have a greater range of movement. Since Intramuscular Stimulation relaxes tight muscles, you should be able to move more freely as the area heals.
Nerve roots can generate what is called neuropathic pain when they are irritated or compressed. This is typically due to spinal issues such as an injured facet joint or disc, or overly active and tight muscles. IMS therapy provides pain relief by releasing this pressure that is being put on the nerves.
To reduce soreness after your IMS treatment we recommend drinking plenty of water and keeping any physical activity light. You can also place a heat on the treated area to help relieve any mild discomfort, like having a hot shower or using a heat pack.
The pain relief you will feel from IMS therapy can last for several weeks. At around 3-6 sessions you should start to feel extended pain relief. However, if your nerve pain was caused by posture issues, over-exercise, or other issues related to movement, those will need to be addressed in your treatment plan as well. Our physiotherapists will be able to help determine the root cause of your chronic pain and can provide you with exercises to prevent pressure from building up again.
IMS is claimable under most extended health plans under physiotherapy when conducted by a Registered Physiotherapist. All of our physiotherapists are registered, and we will provide you with a receipt for the claim. If you are unsure if your healthcare plan covers physiotherapy, we recommend contacting your insurance provider.
Dry needling is a broad term that describes using a fine, solid needle to treat tight or painful muscle tissue. IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation) is a specific type of dry needling treatment based on Western medical principles and a particular assessment and treatment system (such as Gunn IMS or Acupuncture Canada training).
So, all IMS is dry needling, but not all dry needling is IMS. With IMS therapy, your physiotherapist is targeting shortened muscle bands and irritated nerve roots using a structured clinical approach and post-graduate training that’s recognized by the College of Physical Therapists of BC.
IMS and traditional acupuncture both use fine, solid needles, but they come from different backgrounds and are used differently.
IMS is based on Western medical principles. Needles are placed into tight muscle tissue and near irritated nerve roots, guided by your assessment findings, anatomy, and neurology. The goal is to release shortened muscles, reduce nerve sensitivity, and restore normal function and movement.
Traditional acupuncture is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Needles are placed along meridians to influence the flow of energy or “Qi” in the human body and support overall balance and health.
At Alaia, your physiotherapist will explain which approach they are using and why. Some therapists may integrate elements of both styles depending on your condition and goals.
You can easily book an appointment with us through our online system. You can also call us at 604-812-4286 or email us at info@alaia.ca to book or ask any questions you have about IMS.