What is IMS and Dry Needling?
Dry needling/Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) is a form of treatment performed by trained physiotherapists for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. A very fine filament needle is inserted into a myofascial trigger point within a muscle to help reset and restore the tissue to a normal state.
How does it work?
Myofascial trigger points are taught bands in a muscle that can often contribute to chronic aches and pains throughout the body, nerve entrapment, headaches, and can even restrict your mobility/range of motion in your joints. IMS/dry needling releases these trigger points and helps by improving the length and tension in the muscle, improving blood flow and stimulating the release of natural chemicals in the body that help block pain signals.
What does it feel like?
As the gauge of the needle is very thin, the initial penetrating of the skin is often very mild. As the needle reaches the muscle, you may experience a slight ache sensation and/or a brief twitch in the muscle which can feel like a deep cramp. Mild post treatment soreness can last for a few hours to 24 hours. It can take a day or two to notice the effects of needling, however it is not uncommon for patients to notice immediate improvements in their mobility and pain.
Who can benefit from IMS/dry needling?
-Chronic muscular tension and pain
-Recovery from sports injury
-Postural tension
-Headaches
Book with one of our physiotherapists trained in needling!