Understanding IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation)
In Canada, an estimated one in four people, aged 15 or older, live with chronic pain, according to recent studies. Chronic pain is usually defined as an episodic or constant pain that is not easily relieved, with a duration of longer than 6 months. Many people experiencing chronic pain report their condition as elusive, which makes diagnosis and treatment very difficult, particularly when there’s no visible point of injury or inflammation present. Many turn to medications, traditional treatments, such as physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment or massage – which may offer inconsistent results, often without long-term relief.
What is Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS)?
Intramuscular Stimulation, commonly referred to as IMS, is an effective treatment for chronic pain of a neuropathic origin. The treatment methodology was originally developed by Dr. Chan Gunn, who had been on staff as a physician for the Worker’s Compensation Board of BC, during the 1970’s. Dr. Gunn founded the Institute for the Study and Treatment of Pain (ISTOP) and had served as a clinical professor at the University of Washington’s Multi Disciplinary Pain Centre in Seattle. Dr. Gunn has received wide acclaim and recognition for his contributions towards solving chronic pain, such as “The Order of British Columbia,” and most notably “The Order of Canada,” the nation’s highest and most prestigious honor. Dr. Gunn has also been elected Honorary Fellow of Peterhouse Cambridge University.
The practice of IMS, while very effective, has few side-effects; the technique is also unmatched for finding and diagnosing muscle shortening in deep muscle tissue. The practice itself is based on anatomical and neurophysiological principles. The needles that are used in IMS, are significantly thinner than hollow needles typically used to inject medicines or draw blood. You may not even feel its penetration, and with normal muscle tissue, the needle is painless. However, if your muscle is supersensitive and shortened, you’ll feel a peculiar sensation, some describe as similar to a cramping muscle. This is a distinctive type of discomfort caused by the muscle grasping the needle, and patients soon learn to recognize and welcome this sensation. They call it a “good” or positive pain because it soon disappears and is followed by a feeling of relief and relaxation. The needle may still be in you, but because the muscle is no longer tight, you no longer feel it. What has happened is that the needle has caused your abnormal muscle shortening to intensify and then release. It is important that you experience this sensation in order to gain lasting relief.
The Effects of IMS
Patients typically respond to their initial treatment, but the effects of IMS are cumulative. IMS will stimulate the healing process, and expectedly over time, the patient’s symptoms will diminish and eventually disappear. Case studies have shown that some patients treated with IMS have remained pain-free for over 20 years.
Frequency of Treatments
IMS treatment frequency is typically performed once per week, but sometimes 2 weeks’ time is recommended, to allow the body enough time between treatments for healing. The treatment plan itself will largely depend on the duration and extent of the condition, and how well your body responds to each treatment. Other factors may also include the overall condition of the nerves, and the amount of scar tissue that is present; usually more is found after surgery. If the pain is caused by a recent event or trauma, a single treatment may be all that is necessary. Published studies of patients who complained of lower back pain determined that the average number of IMS treatments required was 8.2.
IMS Treatment
The following will be assessed by your physiotherapist at the time of appointment:
Medical examination is imperative
Medical diagnosis is necessary
Needle insertions indicated by physical signs
Knowledge of anatomy is essential
Prompt subjective and objective effects are usually experienced.