Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS)
Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) is a total system for 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). Although IMS draws techniques from traditional acupuncture, it is based on scientific neurophysiological principles.
The treatment involves dry needling of affected areas of the body without injecting any substance. The thin needle is used to penetrate the skin into the muscle bed, which if the muscle is sensitive, shortened or dysfunctional, it will cause a sensation like a muscle cramp or ache.
The goal of treatment is to release muscle shortening, which presses on and irritates the nerve. Super sensitive areas can be desensitized, and the persistent pull of shortened muscles can be released.
IMS is very effective for releasing shortened muscles under contracture, thereby causing mechanical pain from muscle pull.