Gunn IMS is a specialized form of physiotherapy that is offered at Amped Physiotherapy. Gunn IMS is an evidence-based approach to the treatment of pain and injuries, based on the principle of neuroplasticity. Gunn IMS (named after its inventor Chan Gunn) uses a combination of spinal manipulative therapy and dry needling to address the underlying cause of pain, rather than just treating the symptoms. IMS follows the clinical reasoning of western medical science and has a solid foundation in the radiculopathy model of pain.
Gunn IMS has been shown to be effective for a variety of conditions, including headaches, low back pain, and shoulder pain. If you are suffering from chronic pain or an injury that has not responded to other treatment techniques like manual therapy, Gunn IMS may be right for you.
Intramuscular stimulation (IMS) is a novel approach to treating chronic musculoskeletal pain. By activating certain nerve endings located within the normal muscle tissue itself, IMS stimulates the body’s natural healing process to help reduce pain and improve function.
The technique involves inserting small, sterile, disposable needles directly into the painful muscles. These are similar to acupuncture needles and cause a mild localized injury, creating a reflex response that releases chemicals into the surrounding tissues. These chemicals cause the surrounding muscle fibers to relax and stretch, relieving pain and improving mobility.
Intramuscular stimulation (IMS) is a relatively new and effective treatment option that allows us to target specific muscles without having to use surgery. Using IMS we can treat a broad range of musculoskeletal disorders, such as:
- Achilles tendinosis
- Arthritis
- Chronic tendonitis or bursitis
- Headaches
- Hypermobility
- Neuropathic pain
- Muscle shortening
- Neck pain
- Onset muscle soreness
- Overuse injuries
- Muscle strains
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Musculoskeletal injuries
- Pelvic pain
- Arthritic conditions
- Mechanical pain
- Muscle spasms
- Dysfunctional muscles
- Nerve compression
- Chronic pain conditions with no obvious sign of injury
- Sports injuries
- Muscle cramps
- Painful trigger points
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Tennis elbow
- Trigger finger
- Injury prevention
- Wrist pain
We can even help people who suffer from chronic neck and shoulder pain due to cervical dystonia, rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulders, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, migraines, and many others.
The majority of our patients say they feel little to no discomfort during a dry needling session. However, we do recommend you speak with your primary care physician beforehand to ensure there are no contraindications to receiving the procedure. In addition to being safe, the dry needling technique is effective for treating musculoskeletal conditions like myofascial pain syndromes, fibromyalgia, frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, knee osteoarthritis, and low-back pain.
The initial stages of a dry needling therapy session are very similar to those of any other therapeutic practice. Before it begins, the physiotherapist must always check the client’s medical history and make sure there are no contraindications. They’ll also ask about any allergies or sensitivities. Once they know everything about their patient, they can move forward with the rest of the consultation.
During the consultation, you will discuss your goals for the session. Are you looking to improve mobility, relieve muscle tension, reduce stress, or prevent injury? If you don't have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish during the session, you won't be able to judge its effectiveness.
After establishing the objectives, the physiotherapist will explain how the session will take place.
Next, they will assess the client's body structure and biomechanics. By taking note of the client's posture, movement patterns, and alignment, they will be able to identify potential problems and develop a plan of action.
Finally, the physiotherapist will conduct a thorough examination of the client's soft tissues. The goal here is to find trigger points and other areas of hyper irritability. These spots will require extra attention during the session.
Once they’ve determined where the problem lies, they will apply thin needles to the appropriate points on the body. As they work, they’ll pay special attention to trigger points – they'll look for knots, adhesions, scarring, inflammation, and swelling.
To learn more about Gunn IMS and how it can help you, book an appointment with a physiotherapist at Amped Physiotherapy today.
