Dry Needling Therapy vs. IMS: Understanding the Differences

Discover the differences between Dry Needling Therapy and IMS Treatment in Okotoks, AB. Learn how these needle-based therapies relieve muscle pain, improve movement, and promote healing. Find out which treatment might be proper for you.

If you've been dealing with muscle pain, tightness, or chronic discomfort, you might have heard about treatments like Dry Needling Therapy and Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS). Both approaches use thin needles to target problem areas in your muscles, but they aren't the same. Knowing the differences will allow you to decide what treatment may be appropriate for you here in Okotoks.

In this blog, we'll explain dry needling and IMS treatment, how they work, the benefits they offer, and when one might be preferred over the other. Whether you're curious about dry needling Okotoks or considering IMS treatment, this guide will clarify things in straightforward, easy-to-understand terms.

What Is Dry Needling Therapy?

Dry needling is a treatment technique physiotherapists use to relieve muscle pain and improve movement. It entails placing thin, sterile needles directly into tight areas in your muscles called "trigger points" or "knots." These trigger points can cause pain where they are and in other parts of your body.

When the needle hits a trigger point, it often causes a quick twitch or contraction of the muscle. This twitch helps release the tightness and resets the muscle's normal function. The needle also improves blood flow to the area, which reduces inflammation and promotes healing.

Dry needling Okotoks benefits people with muscle strains, sports injuries, back or neck pain, and even headaches caused by muscle tension. It's a targeted way to relax muscles stuck in a tight, painful state.

Key benefits of dry needling include:

• Reducing muscle pain and stiffness
• Improving range of motion
• Accelerating recovery from injuries
• Helping muscles work more efficiently

Many athletes and active individuals use dry needling to bounce back faster after workouts or injuries. But it's also great for anyone with chronic muscle tightness or pain that hasn't improved with other treatments.

What Is IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation)?

IMS is a specialized dry needling developed by Dr. Chan Gunn in the 1970s. While it looks similar to dry needling on the surface—using thin needles inserted into muscles—IMS focuses more on the nerve side of the problem.

The idea behind IMS treatment is that many chronic muscle pains are caused by nerve irritation or dysfunction. When nerves get irritated, they cause muscles to tighten and stay contracted, which leads to pain and limited movement. IMS aims to "reset" these nerves by stimulating the muscles they control, helping to break the cycle of pain and tightness.

IMS is often used for more persistent or complex pain conditions, such as:

• Chronic neck or back pain
• Sciatica (nerve pain down the leg)
• Tension headaches
• Frozen shoulder
• Tennis elbow
• Fibromyalgia

The needles in IMS cause a slight reflex contraction, which helps relax the muscles and improve nerve function. This can lead to longer-lasting relief than treatments focusing only on the muscle.

How Are Dry Needling and IMS Similar?

Both dry needling and IMS share some significant similarities:

• Use of Thin Needles: Both treatments use wonderful, sterile needles inserted into muscles at specific points.
• Trigger Point Targeting: They specialize in releasing tight muscle knots or trigger points that lead to pain and dysfunction.
• Pain Relief: Both aim to reduce pain by relaxing muscles and improving blood flow.
• Promoting Healing: The needle insertion stimulates the body's natural healing response by increasing circulation and releasing natural painkillers like endorphins.
• Performed by Trained Professionals: Both require skilled physiotherapists trained in the techniques to ensure safe and effective treatment.

Because of these similarities, dry needling and IMS are sometimes used interchangeably. However, the subtle differences in approach and focus make each better suited for specific conditions.

Key Differences Between Dry Needling and IMS

When Might You Choose Dry Needling?

Dry needling Okotoks is an excellent option if your pain mainly comes from muscle tightness, spasms, or injuries. For example, dry needling can quickly ease the tension and improve your movement if you have a pulled muscle, tight shoulders, or localized back pain.

It's also effective for speeding up recovery from sports injuries or reducing muscle soreness after intense physical activity. Because it directly targets muscle knots, it can provide fast relief and improve flexibility.

When Might IMS Be a Better Fit?

IMS is often recommended when muscle pain is linked to nerve irritation or chronic conditions that haven't responded well to other treatments. If you have persistent pain like sciatica, tension headaches, or fibromyalgia, IMS treatment may be more effective because it focuses on restoring nerve function.

Patients with complex, long-term pain issues often find IMS helpful for breaking the cycle of nerve-related muscle tightness and pain. It's a more specialized approach that treats the root cause rather than just the symptoms.

What to Expect During Treatment

Both dry needling and IMS therapy sessions are generally quick and well-tolerated. Your physiotherapist will introduce fine needles into the affected muscles. You might feel a brief twitch or cramping sensation, a sign that the muscle is responding.

Some patients experience mild soreness or bruising afterward, which usually fades within a day or two. Most people find the treatment relaxing and notice improvements in pain and movement soon after.

For optimum outcomes, your therapist will integrate needling with other interventions, including stretching, strengthening exercises, or massage.

Is Dry Needling or IMS Safe?

Yes, both treatments are considered safe when performed by trained and licensed physiotherapists. The needles used are 100% sterile, single-use, and very thin, minimizing discomfort and risk of infection.

Your therapist will carefully assess your condition and medical history to ensure appropriate dry needling or IMS. If you’re worried about needles or have specific health concerns, tell your therapist about it.

Finding Dry Needling Therapy in Okotoks

If you're in Okotoks and interested in trying dry needling or IMS, it’s important to find a reliable physiotherapy clinic with certified professionals who specialize in these techniques. A great option is Dynamic Physiotherapy Okotoks, AB, where expert therapists provide personalized dry-needling treatments designed to meet your unique needs.

Remember, the best treatment fits your condition and goals. Don't hesitate to ask questions and work with your therapist to find the right approach. Dry needling therapy and IMS are potent physiotherapy tools for managing muscle pain and improving function. While they share many similarities, their differences in focus—muscle vs. nerve—make each better suited for inevitable pain.

Although they have much in common, their distinction of purpose, muscle vs. nerve, makes them preferable for specific forms of pain. Both treatments are safe and effective. This can be part of a comprehensive plan to get you moving better and feeling healthier.

References:

Chys M, De Meulemeester K, De Greef I, Murillo C, Kindt W, Kouzouz Y, Lescroart B, Cagnie B. Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain-An Umbrella Review. J Clin Med. 2023 Feb 2;12(3):1205. doi: 10.3390/jcm12031205. PMID: 36769852; PMCID: PMC9917679.

Knut Birger Kvist, Ronnie Hilland, Rune Enehaug, Jon Schjelderup, Stein Atle Lie, Anne-Kristine Halse,

The treatment effect of intramuscular stimulation on carpal tunnel syndrome: A blinded randomized trial on 75 patients,

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies,

Volume 27,

2021,

Pages 522-528,

ISSN 1360-8592,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.03.020.