Many physiotherapy procedures can help to ease pain in the muscle, joints, and nerves. One of these techniques is IMS. IMS or intramuscular stimulation refers to a procedure that physiotherapists often adopt to relieve the knots in the muscles that are leading to neuropathic or musculoskeletal pain. Sterile, one-time-use monofilament needles are popped into the distressed muscle in a way that kindles healing. This process is also often referred to as ", dry needling". The fine needles used are for single-use, so after the dry needling procedure, the needles are usually disposed into a certified container.
It may sound similar to acupuncture because you might want to relate anything that has to do with needles to acupuncture. There are similarities between dry needling techniques and acupuncture, but they are not the same. Acupuncture helps in treating medical conditions by returning energy flow through the meridians in the body (key points) to reestablish balance Awhile intramuscular stimulation helps in reducing pain and restoring optimal function by releasing myofascial trigger points in the muscle. In case you are wondering, a myofascial trigger point is a muscle knot that occurs when a group of muscle fibers that have cramped when they were activated cannot go back to their relaxed stated after the use.
Several things could lead to a myofascial trigger point such as quick movements- quickly looking over your shoulder while you are driving. Also, an increase in the number of hours in which you hold training sessions, a sustained sitting posture over a long period, tightened muscles in a bid to achieve reduced the acuteness of an injury.
Since dry needling helps to reduce pain and boost functionality by reestablishing the ability of a muscle to relax and cramp naturally through the unknotting of myofascial trigger points, when the fine needle is popped into the center of this trigger point, the blood “gathers” around the needle while alerting the shortened muscle fibers to lengthen. This lengthening process is done by & feeding; these muscle fibers with nutrients and oxygen, and getting rid of additional acidic chemicals. Consequently, there is decompression of the blood and nerve supply.
Will you feel pain? Yes, but it is just the teeny-weeny sting that comes with inserting and removing a needle, and it should not last for more than two seconds before easing. You may also feel a swift twitch in your muscle when the needle is popped into a myofascial trigger point.
Are there side effects? People respond in various ways to different treatment techniques. Some side effects of dry needling include nausea, bruising or spotting, residual discomfort, or fluctuating energy levels. Therefore, it is essential to note that the effects should not last longer than 24-48 hours after the treatment. It would be best if you also tried to steer clear of energy-consuming activities after Dry Needling to ensure that your body recuperates appropriately and also ensure that you enjoy the optimum benefits of the treatment.
Intramuscular stimulation or dry needling is often used together with other procedures such as manual therapy, massage, and exercise prescription. It is used to treat conditions including musculoskeletal issues (whether in the shoulder, heel or hip ), headaches, back pain, whiplash, tennis blow, frozen shoulder, prolonged aching or throbbing pain, partial motion range and stiff muscles & joints. This treatment can also be used to restore motion at a joint if a myofascial trigger point obstructs it.
PS: Make sure that it is a physical therapist who is skilled, trained, and certified in the procedure that would perform the treatment for you.
At Therapex Health Centre, our team of physiotherapists is certified in dry needling & IMS Surrey. We have the best treatment for IMS and dry needling in Surrey, BC.
To know more about IMS/Dry Needling In Surrey, BC visit us at Therapex Health Center
Call us at 604-597-8898
Visit us in person at 11946 88 Avenue, Delta BC, V4C 3C8
