Living with chronic pain, limited mobility, or recurring muscle stiffness can really encroach on your quality of life. Whether it is a persistent injury or just nagging discomfort, you need something long-term to cure the source. Enter Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS). At Townline Physiotherapy, Abbotsford's top IMS Physiotherapy Clinic, our target is to help you regain your life and enjoy the relief of long-lasting pain with this revolutionary treatment.
Throughout this article, we outline the benefits of IMS therapy, how it works, and why Townline Physiotherapy in Abbotsford is the best place to get all-round care.
What is IMS Therapy?
Intramuscular Stimulation, or IMS, is one of the advanced physiotherapy techniques for the treatment of chronic pain caused by muscle tightness, nerve irritation, and musculoskeletal dysfunction. First conceptualized by Dr. Chan Gunn, it was built on the principle that chronic pain usually results from irritated or injured nerves that lead to shortening and tightness of muscles. In turn, these tightened muscles become painful and cause individuals to lose range in a specific way and often cause trigger points that make tasks unpleasantly difficult.
These deep muscle tissues are then targeted by thin acupuncture-like needles to stimulate affected muscles, release the tension, and help them regain the normal function. IMS is an effective, painless approach to treating various medical conditions, for example:
- Chronic pain
- Neck and back pain
- Sciatica
- Tennis elbow
- Shoulder pain
- Hip and knee pain
- Headaches and migraine
- Whiplash injuries
This therapy stimulates the muscles and nerves, thereby reducing the feeling of pain and assisting in mobility. It is one of the most important tools in rehabilitation and long-term pain management.
Science Behind IMS Physiotherapy
Understanding the physiological basis of how IMS therapy can be effective is important. A vast system of muscles and nerves sustains the human body. When these nerves become irritated or damaged in any fashion—either from injury, poor posture, or repetitive strain—they activate signals to the surrounding muscles in an inappropriate fashion.
Muscle bands tighten, circulation decreased, and trigger points form. Such trigger points tend to cause ache, stiffness, and limitation of motion that may be long-standing until the underlying irritation to the nerve is resolved.
IMS uses such very fine needles to enter these tightened muscles to stimulate nerves and relieve the muscles by this stimulation.
They end up relaxing the tight muscles; therefore, the penetration of the needle induces relaxation of tightness in the muscle, which leads to easing the pain and attainment of normal functioning.
It promotes blood flow: IMS therapy helps to speed up the natural healing process of the body, considering it stimulates the increase of blood circulation to the affected area.
Normalize nerve function: By targeting irritated nerves, IMS helps reset the connection between nerves and the muscles that cause unusual contraction of the affected muscles, restoring movement.
Unlike traditional acupuncture, an ancient Chinese medicine principle, IMS is based on modern Western medicine and corrects specific neuromuscular dysfunctions.
Benefits of IMS Physiotherapy
Choosing IMS therapy from the best IMS Physiotherapy Clinic in Abbotsford at Townline Physiotherapy hands numerous benefits to chronic pain or mobility-impaired patients. Here's how IMS can change your recovery journey:
- Targeted Pain Relief
Another benefit of IMS therapy is that it focuses on the root cause of pain. While other treatments might mask symptoms, IMS helps to relieve root causes related to your discomfort, such as nerve damage, muscle tightness, or poor posture. This focus ensures ongoing long-term relief from pain and stops repeated recurrences.
- Increased Mobility and Flexibility
Muscle tightness and trigger points will severely limit a person's full movement. Release of tension in the muscles will help regain full mobility and full flexibility. If you are an athlete who wants to perform better or an injured person who wants to move with confidence and comfort, IMS can definitely help you achieve that.
- No Invasive Method
IMS therapy, as with surgery or medication, is an alternative that prevents one from undergoing the surgical procedures or medication. IMS is less invasive than conventional injections, and pharmaceutical intervention is not necessary, as thin needles are used for IMS.
Therefore IMS, being a more holistic approach to pain management, makes this option safe and effective for all those seeking a holistic approach in dealing with pain.
- Rapid Healing
Improved circulation and stimulation of the body's innate healing process often allow for a much faster recovery time when it comes to injury. Improved circulation promotes tissue repair in damaged areas and has a potent anti-inflammatory effect; for example, areas of injuries responding to IMS therapy are sciatica, whiplash, and sports injuries.
Every individual who comes to Townline Physiotherapy will receive IMS treatment plans along with special needs to work for the particular person. Then our expert physiotherapist, after assessing and treating you, will decide which muscles and nerves are involved in the condition and what kind of specific changes the treatment needs to include to address your individual concerns. This way, you can get the most precise care you need for maximum results.
Who can be treated with IMS?
IMS therapy is most suitable for patients who have been given medicines, massages, etc and are not responding in terms of their pain condition. It is a great option for those patients who have to endure suffering with:
Chronic Pain Condition: Sciatia, Fibromialgia or chronic back and neck pains can be taken care of with IMS therapy, enabling them to comfortably live without the confines of pain.
Sports Injuries: Patients carrying strain, repetitive strain injuries, and even joint pains shall find IMS being helpful to speed the recovery and enhance their performance.
Postural Ailments: In case of a poor posture, it is associated with irritation of nerves and an imbalance in muscles. IMS treatment helps correct these issues with added relief from the pain and agony.
Repetitive Strain Injuries. People who are sitting at a computer for a number of hours or have to do repetitive movements during their work or daily activities (for example, typing or labor work) often experience chronic pain or stiffness. IMS therapy starts treating the cause, not the symptom, that brings about long-term relief.
Why Townline Physiotherapy?
You need an Abbotsford clinic that is safe, experienced, and cares about your wellbeing when receiving IMS therapy. Here is why Townline Physiotherapy is the best for your recovery:
- Expert Physiotherapists
Our team at Townline Physiotherapy is professional, with highly qualified and professional physiotherapists trained to specialize in IMS therapy. Our practitioners are well versed in diagnosis of musculoskeletal issues and developing personalized plans for each patient with treatment targeted on the specific needs.
- Modern Facilities
Well, our clinic is well equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and technology in order to ensure the highest level of care for you. That's why we employ advanced techniques and the proper tools in administering IMS therapy so you can recover faster and get long-lasting results.
- Holistic Recovery Approach
We treat the whole person at Townline Physiotherapy, not just the symptoms. Our multimodal rehabilitation approach includes IMS therapy, manual therapy, exercise prescription, and education that empowers you with knowledge to better control your condition and prevent further injuries.
- Personalized Treatment Plan
Every patient's journey to recovery is uniquely different; that's why we come up with care plans tailored to your specific condition, goals, and lifestyle. Our physiotherapists work closely with you to develop a treatment plan fitting your needs to ensure you come out with lasting results.
- Commitment to patient education
Townline Physiotherapy insists on educating every one of its patients. We take time to explain what you have, why IMS therapy is effective and, more importantly, how you can step up to regain your health. Patient-centeredness means the education on those grounds hence ensuring that a patient feels informed, confident, and supported through the journey of treatment.
What to Expect During IMS Therapy
Just like other physiotherapy services, the IMS Physiotherapy at Townline Physiotherapy in Abbotsford generally follows this path during sessions:
Comprehensive Assessment: Your physiotherapist first conducts a comprehensive and thorough assessment. This includes reviewing your medical history, conducting a physical examination, and discussing your symptoms and goals.
Individualized Treatment Plan: Your physiotherapist, through individual assessment, will then formulate a treatment plan that aims at the identified muscles and nerves associated with your pain or restriction of movement.
Needle Insertion during IMS: In the treatment process, your physiotherapist will use thin, acupuncture-like needles inserted into the affected muscle. You may, during the treatment, feel some mild twitching or cramping sensation from the needle stimulation of the muscle; it is a sign that the treatment is engaging.
Post-Treatment Care: You may feel a little soreness or tenderness in the area, similar to a deep tissue massage. These should fade over the next day or two. Your physiotherapist will provide you with aftercare advice and exercises to help in your recovery.
Conclusion
Chronic pain, limited mobility, muscle tension doesn't have to be part of your life. Get back on track at Townline Physiotherapy in Abbotsford and find lasting relief from your pain. And with our expertise and care, you're taken step-by-step through your journey to recovery.
Don't let pain be your limiter today! Call Townline Physiotherapy, Abbotsford's most trusted IMS Physiotherapy Clinic, and start moving toward a pain-free life right now!
