Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS)
What is Intramuscular Stimulation?
Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) is a technique used to treat the pain that arises in hypersensitive muscles. The technique requires the placement of thin, flexible needles, such as those used in traditional acupuncture, into your muscles.
What Does Intramuscular Stimulation Treat?
- Lower back pain
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Musculoskeletal problems
- Tennis elbow
- Shin splits
- Tenosynovitis (inflammation surrounding the tendon)
How Does Intramuscular Stimulation Work?
Intramuscular Stimulation is effective for a particular type of chronic pain that occurs when nerves malfunction. By stimulating the deep muscle with a needle, the dysfunctional nerve supplying it can be treated and normalized. The treatment is very different than acupuncture, though similar needles are used in both.
What Should I Expect From Intramuscular Stimulation Treatment?
Often, patients will notice improved movement immediately following the treatment. It takes a detailed medical evaluation to determine the appropriate treatment sites for you. Placement of the needles is usually not painful, until the needle enters the shortened muscle. You will then experience a deep aching sensation—very different than the pain usually associated with an injection. We consider this “good pain,” since it indicates that the muscle is indeed hypersensitive. It will take between 4-10 IMS sessions to complete the treatment course, with typically about 1-2 weeks in between sessions. Following the sessions, you may experience some temporary soreness, which should resolve within a day or so.
Learn more about Intramuscular Stimulation
http://www.istop.org/education.html