Accepting New Patients Every Day! Same-day & walk-in appointments welcome at all our clinics.Same-day & walk-in appointments welcome at all our clinics.
Physiotherapy Clinical Pathway
Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) is an evidence-based system for evaluating and treating myofascial pain syndromes. When nerves are irritated, the muscles they control can become chronically tight, leading to pain and joint strain. Our certified physiotherapists insert fine acupuncture needles directly into trigger points, prompting the muscle to contract and release to help relieve pain.
IMS dry needling is a technique where a physiotherapist inserts a very fine, solid needle directly into a tight band of muscle or a myofascial trigger point to produce a local twitch response, which helps release the muscle at a depth that manual pressure alone often cannot reach. Intramuscular Stimulation specifically refers to a system developed to treat neuropathic pain, where chronic nerve irritation causes the muscles it supplies to become persistently shortened and tight. The needle itself is solid rather than hollow like an injection needle, and no medication is injected.
Chronic muscle tightness that has not responded to stretching, massage, or manual therapy is often being driven by an underlying nerve irritation that keeps resetting the muscle back to a shortened, guarded state. Dry needling can reach directly into these deep, stubborn muscle bands and interrupt that cycle in a way that surface techniques sometimes cannot, which is why it is often introduced when other treatments have plateaued. It is generally used as one part of a broader physiotherapy plan rather than a standalone treatment, since addressing the underlying cause of the nerve irritation is still necessary for lasting results.
Consider this program if you are experiencing any of the following clinical signs or conditions:
We use structured clinical steps to ensure safety and target your recovery goals effectively:
We assess your pain pattern and identify the specific tight muscle bands or trigger points, often tracing symptoms back to a related spinal segment or nerve level.
A fine, sterile needle is inserted into the identified muscle band. A local twitch response, a brief involuntary muscle contraction, is often felt and is considered a positive sign of release.
Following needling, we often incorporate gentle movement or stretching to reinforce the muscle length gained during treatment.
Dry needling is typically combined with manual therapy and exercise therapy addressing the underlying cause contributing to the muscle tightness.
Many patients report reduced muscle tightness within 3 to 6 sessions, though this varies depending on how chronic and widespread the muscle guarding is. It is common to feel a deep ache during treatment and mild soreness in the area for a day or two afterward, similar to how a muscle feels after an intense workout.
Trigger point release: Releasing deep tension in chronic muscle bands.
Neuropathic pain relief: Calming irritated nerves and sensitive pathways.
Joint pressure reduction: Relaxing tight muscles to reduce strain on adjacent joints.
IMS dry needling is performed only by physiotherapists with specific certified training in the technique, using single use sterile needles following strict infection control standards. Treatment is not recommended for certain conditions such as needle phobia, some bleeding disorders, or over areas with active infection, and your physiotherapist will screen for these before treatment.
Acupuncture is based on traditional meridian points, while IMS targets specific tender trigger points and tight muscle bands identified through a physiotherapy assessment.
You may feel a deep ache or a brief muscle twitch as the needle is inserted, which is generally considered a sign the muscle is releasing.
Many patients report reduced muscle tightness within 3 to 6 sessions, depending on how chronic and widespread the condition is.
No, dry needling uses a solid, hair thin needle with no medication injected, unlike a hollow injection needle used for medication delivery.
Mild soreness in the treated area for a day or two is common and generally resolves on its own, similar to post exercise muscle soreness.
Sensation varies by person and area treated. Most describe a deep ache or brief twitch rather than sharp pain, and your physiotherapist adjusts technique to your comfort level.
Patients with certain bleeding disorders, needle phobia, active skin infection at the treatment site, or who are pregnant in certain areas should discuss suitability with their physiotherapist first.
Yes, when deep gluteal muscle tightness is contributing to symptoms that mimic sciatica, dry needling can help release the muscle and reduce nerve irritation.
It is generally included as part of a physiotherapy treatment session and billed under your physiotherapy benefit with most extended health plans.
Dry needling can reach deeper into a specific muscle band directly with the needle, while massage works more broadly across the muscle and surrounding tissue through manual pressure.
8386 120 St #103, Surrey, BC V3W 3N4
15122 72 Ave #104, Surrey, BC V3S 2G2
