Dry Needling Vancouver (Intramuscular Stimulation Therapy)
We offer dry needling therapy, a powerful treatment known as Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS), to help you find relief. This isn’t just another physiotherapy trend—it’s a science-backed approach that targets trigger points to reduce pain and improve mobility. Imagine your muscles finally letting go of that stubborn tension, allowing you to move freely again. Ready to discover how dry needling can change your life?
What is Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS)?
Intramuscular stimulation, also known as IMS, or “dry needling,” is a medical procedure designed to alleviate muscle discomfort. This unique therapy aids pain relief by enhancing blood flow to the affected areas and triggering hormone release. IMS has proven to deliver immediate pain relief, making it a safe and effective therapeutic choice.
Developed by Dr. Chan Gunn, IMS is grounded in western medicine principles, focusing on trigger points to restore muscle function. Unlike acupuncture, which balances energy, IMS targets myofascial trigger points to release tension and boost blood flow. It’s like flipping a switch to calm an overactive nervous system. Our practitioners at North Shore Sports Medicine are trained to deliver this therapy with precision, ensuring you feel pain relief fast.
IMS: An Effective Therapy For Chronic Muscle Pain
When muscle pain lingers, it’s often more than just a sore spot—it’s a sign your body’s nervous system is out of sync. Intramuscular stimulation works by involving inserting thin needles into myofascial trigger points, those pesky knots that cause chronic pain conditions. These very thin needles stimulate the muscle, encouraging blood flow and triggering the release of natural pain-relieving hormones. Patients often feel a dull ache or a twitch response during treatment, a sign the muscle is resetting. Unlike temporary fixes, IMS can tackle the root cause, offering significant improvements in pain relief.
Why Choose IMS for Pain Relief?
Ever wonder why your neck pain or tennis elbow won’t go away? IMS is designed for chronic pain that resists other physiotherapy treatments. By targeting specific points in the muscle, it helps release tension and restore muscle function. This makes it ideal for conditions like sciatica or back pain, where tight muscles pull on joints and nerves. Our team at North Shore Sports Medicine has seen countless patients walk out feeling lighter and more mobile after just a few sessions.
Is Dry Needling Recommended for Me?
Not everyone is a candidate for dry needling treatment. If you’re dealing with muscular issues like muscle spasms or chronic pain conditions, IMS could be a game-changer. However, it’s not suitable for pregnant women, those with compromised immune systems, or anyone with a fear of needles. Our licensed physiotherapists perform a comprehensive assessment to review your medical history and ensure IMS is safe for you. Have you tried stretching or massage without lasting relief? IMS might be the missing piece to alleviate pain and improve mobility. Curious if it’s right for you? Book a consultation at our North Vancouver clinics.
Who Benefits Most from IMS?
People with chronic pain from tendinopathy or arthritis often see significant improvements with IMS. Athletes with sore muscles from overuse or anyone with muscle soreness from sitting too long can also benefit. The key is a trigger point causing pain and muscle tension. If your muscle pain feels deep and persistent, IMS could help reduce pain and restore balance.
Tried Everything To Reduce Muscle Tension?
Massage, stretching, and heat packs can feel good, but they often fall short for chronic pain. Dry needling therapy goes deeper, literally. By involving inserting thin needles into myofascial trigger points, IMS resets the nervous system and eases tight muscles. Think of it like rebooting a computer that’s frozen—sudden relief that gets things moving again. Many patients report reduced pain within a few hours, though some feel muscle soreness at the needle site for a day or two. At North Shore Sports Medicine, we combine IMS with other physiotherapy treatments for lasting results.
Dry Needling Therapy Is Effective For
IMS shines in treating chronic pain conditions that other methods can’t touch. Here’s what it can help with:
- Headaches: Targets tight muscles in the neck and shoulders.
- Sciatica: Eases pain and muscle tension along the nerve path.
- Back Pain: Relieves muscle soreness and trigger points in the spine.
- Tendinopathy: Reduces pain in overused tendons, like tennis elbow.
- Arthritis: Improves muscle function around affected joints.
- Chronic Pain: Breaks the cycle of neuropathic pain.
Each condition responds to IMS because it addresses the nervous system and myofascial trigger points. Our Vancouver clinics see very few individuals who don’t benefit when IMS is appropriate.
The IMS Dry Needling Process
The IMS dry needling process starts with a comprehensive assessment. Our licensed physiotherapist feels for trigger points—those hard, painful knots in your muscles. Once located, very thin needles are inserted, often causing a dull ache or twitch response. This is your muscle saying, “I’m letting go!” The needle insertion depth varies—shallow for trigger points in the forearm, deeper for spots in the hip. Needles are removed after stimulating the muscle, and the process may repeat across multiple specific points. Most patients feel pain relief within a few hours, though some notice muscle soreness at the needle site temporarily.
What to Expect During Treatment
Expect a session to last 30-60 minutes, depending on your medical history and chronic pain severity. The twitch response is a good sign—it means the trigger point is releasing. Post-treatment, you might feel sore muscles for a day, but blood flow to the area speeds healing.
Is IMS a type of dry needle procedure?
Yes, IMS is a form of dry needling. It uses very thin needles to stimulate trigger points and promote muscle function, without injecting any substances. Unlike wet needling, which delivers medication, IMS relies on needle insertion to relieve pain. This makes it a safe, effective option for treating chronic pain.
How does dry needling differ from acupuncture?
Dry needling targets myofascial trigger points to reduce pain and release tension, based on western medicine principles. Acupuncture, on the other hand, focuses on balancing energy through acupuncture points along meridians. IMS uses acupuncture needles but aims for muscle pain relief, not holistic energy flow. The two share tools but have different goals.
Is dry needling painful?
Most patients feel a dull ache or twitch response during IMS dry needling, but it’s rarely described as painful. The needle insertion might cause brief discomfort, followed by pain relief. Some experience muscle soreness for a few hours post-treatment, similar to a workout. Our licensed physiotherapists ensure you’re at ease throughout.
How many sessions are needed for results?
The number of dry needling sessions varies by condition and medical history. Most patients see significant improvements after 3-4 sessions for issues like tennis elbow, while chronic pain conditions like sciatica may need 8-12. Your licensed physiotherapist will create a plan based on your comprehensive assessment. Consistency is key to alleviate pain and improve mobility.
You’re one click away from booking your appointment!
Two Convenient Locations
In North Vancouver
Brooksbank
Ph: 604.973.0242
104-340 Brooksbank Ave
North Vancouver V7J 2C1
Monday – Friday: 7 am – 8 pm
Saturday: 9 am – 3 pm
Deep Cove
Ph: 604.929.8444
453 Dollarton Hwy N
North Vancouver V7G 1M9
Monday – Friday: 7 am – 8 pm
Saturday: 9 am – 3 pm
North Shore Sports Medicine Is Your Local Healthcare Provider
Vision
At North Shore Sports Medicine our vision is to be the cornerstone healthcare business enabling our staff, practitioners and the people of the North Shore to live happier, healthier, more active and fulfilled lives.
The NSSM Difference
- 30 years on the North Shore
- Award winning healthcare for all walks of life
- Longer appointments so you get the time you need with our practitioners
- Team-based approach to living better lives
- Personalized care to get you back to living your best life
- Direct billing to extended healthcare
- ICBC and WSBC Claims
- In home physiotherapy & telehealth available
- Online booking
Treatment
We look forward to seeing you in our clinics for our comprehensive care including
- Physiotherapy
- RMT Massage
- Chiropractic Care
- Dietitian Consultations
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture)
- Pilates and Yoga Classes
- Naturopathic Medicine
- Kinesiology (physio-led gym visits)
- GLA:D
- Concussion care