Intramuscular Stimulation

Gunn IMS

Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS)

Get in Touch

Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation

639 – 5th Ave SW – Suite 130
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0M9

(403) 263-2225

Open Hours

Sunday          Closed
Monday         7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday         7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday   7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday       7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday            7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday       Closed

What is Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS)?

Intramuscular Stimulation or IMS is an affective treatment for chronic pain of neuropathic origin – involvement of the spine. IMS has few side effects and the technique is also unequaled for finding and diagnosing muscle shortening in deep muscles.

Although IMS uses implements adapted from traditional acupuncture, it is based on scientific, neurophysiological principles. The acupuncture needles used are very thin (much thinner than the hollow needle used to inject medicine or take blood samples). You may not even feel it penetrating the skin, and if your muscle is normal, the needle is painless. However, if your muscle is supersensitive and shortened, you’ll feel a peculiar sensation – like a muscle cramp or charlie horse. This is a distinctive type of discomfort caused by the muscle grasping the needle. 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 wonderful feeling of relief and relaxation. What happens is that the needling 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.

Intramuscular Stimulation - Action Sports Clinic

Treating Neuropathic Pain wirth Intramuscular Stimulation

The goal of treatment is to release muscle shortening which presses on and irritates the nerve. Nerves and nerve-endings become extremely sensitive and cause innocent harmless signals to be exaggerated and misperceived as painful ones. This characteristic is known medically as super sensitivity. The result is pain, even when extensive medical tests show there is nothing wrong.

The Effects of IMS

The effects of Intramuscular Stimulation are cumulative – needling stimulates a certain amount of healing, until eventually, the condition is healed and the pain disappears. Some patients treated with IMS have remained pain free for over 20 years.

Frequency of Treatments

Intramuscular Stimulation treatments with our physiotherapists are usually once a week (but can spread out over two weeks) to allow time between treatments for the body to heal itself. The number of treatments you require will depend on several factors such as the duration and extent of your condition, how much scar tissue there is and how quickly your body can heal. If the pain is of recent origin, one treatment may be all that is necessary. In published studies of patients with low back pain, the average number of IMS treatments required is 8.2.

The Shortened Muscle Syndrome

An Important factor in neuropathic pain is muscle spasm and contracture. Muscle shortening produces pain by pulling on tendons, straining them as well as distressing the joints they move. Muscle shortening also increases wear and tear and contributes to degenerative changes such as “tendonitis” and “osteoarthritis”. These conditions are customarily regarded as “local” conditions and may not receive the appropriate diagnosis or treatment.

Involvement of the Spine

The most common cause of nerve irritation and neuropathic pain is “spondylosis” degeneration in the spine, which can be the result of normal wear and tear. Spondylosis irritates the nerve root and leads to neuropathy and muscle shortening.

How Intramuscular Stimulation Compares to Acupuncture

Traditional Acupuncture
-Medical Examination not applicable
-Medical Diagnosis not relevant
-Needle insertions according to Chinese philosophy into non-scientific meridians
-Knowledge of anatomy not applicable
-No immediate objective changes anticipated

Our Philosophy

Action Sports Clinic has a multidisciplinary team of physiotherapy, chiropractic, and massage therapy professionals serving the active community of downtown Calgary.  As a team, we strive for excellence in evidence-based and personalized care for musculoskeletal injuries and conditions.  Combining the unique strengths of each professional discipline, this integral approach to care enables each patient to draw from the expertise of team members.  This eliminates the traditional barriers of communication between busy practitioners, thereby ensuring collaboration and effectiveness of treatment programs.

We are athletes ourselves…and we understand the needs of sports minded clients. We believe that participation in physical activity is an important part of health and vitality. The pursuit of dreams, setting goals, and the drive for personal achievement are all values we believe in and aspire.

We Are One of the Top Teams of Physical Therapists in Calgary.

"I attend Action Sports Clinic to see my physiotherapist - Darra. Darra is very knowledgeable, attentive, and truly knows his sports medicine. I would highly recommend Darra to anyone who has a sports injury or is in need of physiotherapy.The front desk staff are very friendly and helpful, and are able to answer all of my questions."

Morgan Tarves – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Initial Assessment went well. Office was busy but staff were attentive and on the ball. Dr. Rennick was gentle and adjusted my back well. I will be back for another appointment."

Jen Scheershmidt – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Knowledgeable, friendly and intuitive staff. Allison is the best physio I've worked with and Dr Sean is a natural healer."

Chad Ford – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Frequently Asked Questions

What Brands does Action Sports Clinic Carry?

We carry brands from the worlds top manufacturers including Donjoy, Össur, CTi, Bauerfeind, Thuasne and more.

Do I need an appointment?

Yes! We take pride in personal service and being very accomodating. Please click any of our Appointment Buttons and submit your information, we will be in touch to confirm your date and time.

What are the office hours?

We are open Monday – Friday from 7:00 am until 5:00 pm.

What services do you offer?

We specialize in the practice of Sports Medicine and provide services related to Sports Therapy, Chiropractic Care, Physical Therapy, Massage, as well as off the shelf and custom Bracing & Orthotics. To learn more please visit our “Services” section of the website.

Do I need a referral from my physician?

No, a referral is not required to schedule an appointment.

Do you provide custom brace solutions?

Yes, Dr. Rennick is qualified by the world’s top orthoepedic brands to develop custom bracing solutions for many conditions.

Ask A Question?

Get in Touch

(403) 263-2225

admin@actionsportsclinic.ca

 

Open Hours

Sunday          Closed
Monday          9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday         9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday   9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday       9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday             9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday       Closed

 

639 5 Avenue Southwest Suite 130
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0M9

Action Sports Clinic