What Is Gunn IMS?
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 neural sensitivity. Gunn IMS (named after its inventor Chan Gunn) uses acupuncture needles to address the underlying cause of your pain, rather than just treating the symptoms. IMS follows the clinical reasoning model of western medical science and has a solid foundation in anatomy and physiology.
Gunn IMS has been shown to be effective for a variety of conditions, including headaches, low back pain, and shoulder pain. If you are an athlete suffering from repetitive injuries, persistent tightness and pain, or an injury that has not responded to other treatment techniques like manual therapy, Gunn IMS may be right for you.
How Does Intramuscular Stimulation Work?
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.
Conditions That Can Be Treated Using IMS
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
- Neuropathic pain
- Muscle shortening
- Neck pain
- Overuse injuries
- Muscle strains
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Musculoskeletal injuries
- Pelvic pain
- Arthritic conditions
- Mechanical pain
- Muscle spasms
- Nerve compression
- Chronic pain conditions with no obvious sign of injury
- Sports injuries
- Muscle cramps
- Painful trigger points
- Tennis elbow
- Wrist pain
Does it hurt?
There is some discomfort during a dry needling session, but the long-term benefits of GunnIMS outweigh the temporary discomfort experienced during the session. In addition to being safe, GunnIMS is effective for treating musculoskeletal conditions like patellofemoral pain, headache, midback ache, frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, knee osteoarthritis, and low-back pain.
What Should I Expect During A Treatment?
During your initial consultation, your physiotherapist will check your medical history to make sure there are no contraindications to treatment. If during your assessment the physiotherapist has determined your condition is one that is likely to respond well to GunnIMS, they will go on to explain the risks and benefits of the technique, how the treatment session will go, then obtain consent from you to proceed.
During the treatment, they will insert a thin acupuncture needle into the appropriate muscles. As they work, they’ll pay special attention to 'trigger points' – areas of tightness within the muscle that indicate an overactive area of activity. When they insert the needle into an overactive or hypersensitive area, you can expect a muscle twitch or jump to occur. This is an indication of a few things - they found the spot they were looking for, the muscle is in a hypersensitive state, and you are likely to benefit from the application of the needle. You will probably be sore for a day or so following the treatment session, but much like following a tough workout - the muscle will be achy, especially after sitting still for awhile, but will feel better very quickly once you warm the muscle up and start moving.
To learn more about Gunn IMS and how it can help you, book an appointment with a physiotherapist at Amped Physiotherapy today.
