IMS & Dry Needling in Edmonton: What You Need to Know

Muscle pain and stiffness can hold you back from the activities you love. At Reach Sports Physiotherapy & Hand Clinic, our highly trained physiotherapists use specialized treatments like dry needling and Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) to relieve pain, restore function, and improve overall mobility. These clinically supported techniques are safe and effective, administered by our experts to support lasting relief.

Let’s explore how dry needling and IMS work, their benefits, and what to expect from treatment in Edmonton.

What is Dry Needling?

Dry needling involves inserting thin, sterile needles into muscle trigger points, often called “knots.” These are tight, sensitive bands of muscle that can cause pain, stiffness, or referred discomfort. Unlike injections, no medication is used. The goal is to release muscle tension, improve circulation, and reduce pain naturally.

While dry needling may look similar to acupuncture, the two practices differ in target and approach. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine principles, focusing on energy pathways in the body, while dry needling is rooted in Western medicine and specifically targets muscle tissue to improve function.

What is Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS)?

Gunn IMS was developed by Dr. Chan Gunn as a treatment for chronic pain conditions like myofascial pain syndrome. This technique also uses fine needles, but instead of only targeting trigger points, it stimulates the nervous system to reset dysfunctional muscle patterns. By doing so, IMS can reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, and relieve long-term muscle pain.

Many patients in Edmonton turn to IMS when other treatments have not fully resolved their symptoms.

Similarities Between Dry Needling and Gunn IMS

Both techniques involve the insertion of thin needles to address trigger points and neuromuscular dysfunction. The goal is to relieve pain and restore muscle function. Additionally, both treatments must be performed by certified physiotherapists who are specifically trained in these methods to ensure safety and effectiveness.

While the approaches differ in some respects, they share a common focus on improving mobility and reducing discomfort through targeted needling therapy.

Benefits of Dry Needling & IMS

Patients experience a mix of immediate and long-term relief, including:

• Improved range of motion: releasing tight muscles enhances flexibility and mobility.

• Muscle pain and tension relief: many patients feel immediate relief and improved function after a session.

• Management of chronic conditions: dry needling and IMS effectively address headaches, neck and back pain, and other chronic issues by improving circulation and stimulating the body’s natural pain relief mechanisms.

  
  

Conditions Treated with Dry Needling & IMS

Physiotherapists may recommend dry needling or IMS for a variety of conditions, including:

• Muscle and joint pain: such as lower back, neck, shoulder, and knee pain, tennis elbow, rotator cuff injuries, plantar fasciitis, and TMJ disorders.

• Chronic pain and tension: including fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, headaches, and persistent muscle tightness.

• Sports-related and repetitive strain injuries (RSIs).

• Nerve-related pain: such as sciatica and postural imbalances.

FAQs:

What should I do after treatment?

Avoid intense physical activity, alcohol, caffeine, and heat applications (such as hot baths, saunas, and heating pads) for 24 hours to allow your muscles to recover.

Who should avoid these treatments?

Dry needling and IMS may not be suitable if you have clotting disorders, take blood-thinning medications, have a weakened immune system, are pregnant, or have a severe needle phobia.

What results can I expect from dry needling and IMS therapy?

Most patients experience some level of immediate relief following treatment, such as reduced muscle tightness and improved range of motion. As sessions progress, longer-term results often include pain relief, improved function, and better mobility.

Find Lasting Pain Relief with Dry Needling & IMS Needling in Edmonton

If you’ve been struggling with muscle pain or stiffness, dry needling and IMS could be the answer you've been searching for. Our physiotherapists in Edmonton use these specialized techniques to target trigger points and dysfunctional muscles, providing you with immediate relief and lasting improvements.

To learn more or schedule an appointment, simply fill out our online contact form or call us at 587-635-5258.