A Beginner’s Guide to Gunn IMS Therapy
Chronic pain is difficult to live with. If you have already consulted with multiple doctors and have tried everything from painkillers to topical ointments, Gunn IMS therapy or intramuscular stimulation could be the treatment to finally bring you relief from pain, aches, and stress.
IMS is a form of therapy used to treat various neuropathic conditions. This therapy is very effective when the testing confirms that there is nerve impairment that is contributing to chronic tight muscles adjacent to the spine and in the arms or legs.
How does Gunn IMS Treatment work?
An acupuncture needle is inserted into the tight muscle to cause two basic therapeutic responses. Either a chemical response is released, which causes an ache sensation, or a reflex muscle contraction is caused by the needle insertion. Both reactions cause a strong relaxation and lengthening effect on the tight muscles treated. This therapy has been proven effective by directly addressing the underlying neuropathic condition which causes the pain. If you are looking for the best Gunn IMS therapy Edmonton has to offer, look no further than Global Physiotherapy.
Medical Conditions Treated with IMS
Here are some of the medical conditions that can be treated with IMS therapy:
- Arthritis
- Back pain
- Carpal tunnel
- Fibromyalgia
- Headache
- Muscle stiffness
- Repetitive stress injury
- Sciatica
- Tennis elbow
- Whiplash
What to Expect During an IMS Therapy Session
Before your treatment begins, your therapist will conduct a detailed physical examination to look for signs of musculoskeletal and nerve dysfunctions. The physiotherapist will explain the clinical findings and the risks and benefits of IMS to treat your problems. The next step is to use an alcohol swab to clean the affected area before inserting the needles in the tight muscles. The therapist can change the direction or depth of the needles as needed.
Needle penetration is usually painless, but once it is inserted the goal is for you to feel ache or a muscle twitch caused by the needle. Gunn IMS always includes treatment of the tight spinal muscles. These tight muscles cause poor blood supply and nerve irritation that prevent the shortened muscles from recovering their normal length.
After treatment, you may experience soreness which goes away within 24 to 48 hours. Bruising is also possible; however, the bruises are usually small and not painful. Moist heat is recommended after treatment as needed for relief of the soreness.
You may need to go through multiple IMS therapy sessions before the pain totally goes away and the muscle becomes functional again, especially if the trigger points are located under deep layers of muscle. However, most patients notice a reduction in the muscle tightness right after the first treatment.