ims vs acupuncture
What is IMS, and how is it different from acupuncture?
Physica Health offers both IMS and acupuncture. Our Physiotherapist, Carl Cachia, has undertaken numerous courses that specialize in acupuncture, IMS, and dry needling. Many of our patients ask us about the difference between these treatments; this article will describe when and why we use each specific procedure.
a solution to ineffective conventional treatments
IMS stands for intramuscular stimulation. It was developed by Dr. Chan Gunn, a physician who worked at the Worker’s Compensation Board in the early ’70s. Dr. Gunn saw that patients were not getting better with conventional methods of massage, physiotherapy, and chiropractic treatments, so his idea was to needle specific muscles using acupuncture needles, which he inserted into tight and contracted muscles. Patients finally started to feel better! IMS needles are inserted into taut muscle bands. The muscle bands (especially those near the spine) are released as this is where the nerve root originates that might be giving you pain the arm or leg. The needles cause activation of a stretch reflex (a small twitch is usually felt), while also causing slight microtrauma to the area, which allows the brain to restart the healing process.
IMS is grounded in Western medicine, while acupuncture uses Chinese medicine as its roots.
Acupuncture is a system where the needles are inserted into energy points to balance the yin and yang of the body. The needles are usually left 15-30 minutes at a time, while in IMS, the needle is inserted for only a couple of seconds.
Patients receiving IMS treatment are sometimes sore during and after the procedure; however, we use a 0.22mm needle, which we find is very useful in reducing discomfort and soreness.
Carl Cachia has 15 years of needling experience, having first taken acupuncture courses through acupuncture Canada, followed by Chan Gunn IMS course at UBC, followed by Functional Dry needling in Toronto, with Dr. Mark Scapatacci. He has tried several different needles and uses Balance KS needles in his practice, which are extremely fine and barely cause any pain during insertion.