If you’ve been dealing with chronic muscle pain, tightness, or nerve pain that hasn’t responded to massage, physiotherapy, or other treatments — IMS therapy may be the missing piece. At Rishaan Physio & Wellness Clinic in Mississauga, our trained physiotherapists use Intramuscular Stimulation to target the deep muscle dysfunction that drives chronic pain.
What Is IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation)?
Intramuscular Stimulation — commonly called IMS — is a treatment developed by Dr. Chan Gunn that uses fine acupuncture needles to release tight, shortened muscles and desensitize supersensitive tissues. The technique is specifically designed to treat chronic pain caused by neuropathic conditions — where a nerve has become hypersensitive and is causing the surrounding muscles to go into sustained spasm.
IMS is based on Western medical science — specifically neurophysiology — and is fundamentally different from traditional acupuncture in both theory and application.
IMS vs. Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture — What’s the Difference?
IMS: Rooted in neurophysiology. Treats the underlying nerve hypersensitivity causing muscle shortening. Needles are inserted into tight muscle bands and moved to elicit a “grasp” response — indicating the muscle is releasing.
Dry Needling: Similar tool, different theoretical framework. Targets specific trigger points (tight knots in muscle) to produce a twitch response and release.
Traditional Acupuncture: Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles of energy meridians. A completely different framework from IMS or dry needling.
All three use thin needles, but they’re applied differently and for different reasons. IMS is performed only by physiotherapists with specific IMS training.
What Conditions Does IMS Treat?
- Chronic low back pain and sciatica
- Neck pain and cervicogenic headaches
- Whiplash and MVA injuries
- Shoulder impingement and rotator cuff tightness
- Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
- Hip pain from tight gluteal muscles
- IT band syndrome
- Chronic knee pain
- Plantar fasciitis (calf and foot muscles)
What Does an IMS Session Feel Like?
The needle is inserted into a tight muscle band. If the muscle is shortened and supersensitive, it will “grab” the needle — producing a brief cramping or aching sensation. This is the target response. The sensation lasts only seconds as the muscle releases and lengthens.
After treatment, the area may feel sore for 24–48 hours — similar to the soreness after an intense workout. This is the healing response and typically resolves quickly. Many patients notice significant relaxation and pain reduction in the days following treatment.
How Many IMS Sessions Do I Need?
Results vary depending on the duration and severity of the problem. Most patients respond within 4–8 sessions. Acute problems may resolve in fewer sessions; long-standing chronic pain may require more. Your physiotherapist will reassess at each appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between IMS and acupuncture?
IMS is based on Western neurophysiology — it targets the nerve hypersensitivity and muscle shortening that cause chronic pain. Traditional acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine meridian theory. Both use thin needles, but they’re applied differently with different goals and theoretical frameworks.
Does IMS therapy hurt?
The needle insertion itself causes minimal discomfort. When the needle reaches a tight muscle band, you may feel a brief cramping or aching sensation — this is the therapeutic “grasp” response indicating the muscle is releasing. Soreness lasting 24–48 hours after treatment is normal and is part of the healing process.
How many IMS sessions will I need?
Most patients respond within 4–8 sessions. Acute conditions may resolve in fewer; chronic, long-standing problems may need more. Progress is reassessed at each session.
What conditions does IMS treat best?
IMS is most effective for chronic pain conditions with a neuropathic component — where nerve hypersensitivity is causing sustained muscle spasm. This includes chronic back pain, sciatica, whiplash injuries, neck pain, and shoulder impingement.
Is IMS covered by insurance in Ontario?
IMS is typically billed as physiotherapy, which is covered by most extended health insurance plans in Ontario. Coverage depends on your specific plan. Rishaan Physio offers direct billing — contact us to verify your coverage before your first appointment.
Book IMS Therapy at Rishaan Physio Mississauga
Chronic pain that won’t go away? IMS may be the answer.
No referral needed | Same-day appointments | Direct billing
📍 5105 Hurontario St, Unit 7, Mississauga 📞 Call (905)-800-1661