WHAT IS ims?

Intrasmuscular Stimulation (IMS) is a total system for the diagnosis and treatment of myofascial pain syndromes (chronic pain conditions that occur in the musculoskeletal system when there is no obvious sign of injury or inflammation). IMS is grounded in Western Medical Science, and has a solid foundation in its radiculopathic model of pain, which is now supported by many experts in the field.

The treatment involves dry needling of affected areas of the body without injecting any substance. The needle sites can be at the epicenter of taut, tender muscle bands, or they can be near the spine where the nerve root may have become irritated and supersensitive. Penetration of a normal muscle is painless; however, a shortened, supersensitive muscle will ‘grasp’ the needle in what can be described as a cramping sensation. The result is threefold.

What is neuropathic pain?

Neuropathic pain involves muscle shortening and spasm where the suppleness of normal muscle tissue is replaced by rigid, fibrosed muscle fibres, glued together by excess collagen and scar tissue. Interference of the nervous system produces these changes including the development of painful “knots” or trigger points within muscle.

Muscle shortening has also been implicated as a contributing factor to arthritis pain, as tightened bands can restrict normal joint movement leading to increased stresses and internal compression, contributing to degeneration and the arthritic process.