Living with chronic or recurring pain can be incredibly frustrating. Whether it's back pain, muscle stiffness, or pain after an old injury, it can affect everything from sleep and work to daily activities and quality of life. Fortunately, there are effective, non-surgical treatments that help manage pain and restore movement—Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) and Dry Needling Therapy.

These techniques are increasingly popular in physiotherapy because they go beyond just treating symptoms—they work to address the actual source of pain in the muscles and nervous system. In this guide, we’ll break down what IMS and Dry Needling are, how they work, their benefits, and what conditions they help treat—all in clear, everyday language.

What Is IMS Treatment?

Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) is a type of treatment that uses very thin, solid needles to relieve tight muscles caused by nerve irritation or dysfunction. It is often used to treat pain that doesn’t go away easily and isn’t linked to obvious inflammation or injury.

How It Works:

When nerves in the body become irritated—often due to poor posture, injury, or stress—they may send incorrect signals to muscles. These signals can cause muscles to contract and remain tight, even when they don’t need to be. Over time, these tight muscles create discomfort, pain, and restricted movement.

IMS needles are inserted into these overly tight muscles to stimulate a release. This “twitch” response can help the muscle relax, increase blood flow, and reduce pain. It also helps reset the nerve-muscle connection, improving overall function.

What Is Dry Needling Therapy?

Dry Needling is a very similar technique but focuses specifically on trigger points—tight, sensitive knots in the muscles that can cause local or referred pain (pain felt in another area). These trigger points can develop due to stress, overuse, injury, or poor movement patterns.

How It Works:

With dry needling, a thin, sterile needle is inserted directly into a trigger point. When this happens, the muscle often responds with a quick contraction or "twitch," followed by relaxation. This helps to reduce muscle tension, ease pain, and restore movement.

Even though the needles used in dry needling look similar to those used in acupuncture, the two practices are very different. Dry needling is based on modern science and muscle anatomy, and its goal is to release muscle knots and restore function—not to balance energy like acupuncture does.

Benefits of IMS & Dry Needling

Both IMS and Dry Needling are known for offering several benefits, especially for people dealing with chronic pain, tight muscles, and reduced mobility. Here are some of the key advantages:

Pain Relief

These techniques target the source of pain in the muscles and nerves, not just the symptoms. Many people report significant reductions in pain after just a few sessions.

Improved Mobility and Flexibility

Tight muscles can restrict your range of motion. By helping muscles relax and return to their normal length, IMS and dry needling can improve how you move and function.

Reduced Muscle Tension

Chronic tension can lead to muscle fatigue, soreness, and stiffness. Dry needling and IMS reduce this tightness and help your muscles work better.

Faster Recovery

These treatments can speed up healing after injuries or surgeries by improving blood flow and releasing chronic muscle tightness that slows down recovery.

Minimal Side Effects

Both IMS and Dry Needling are non-surgical and drug-free. The most common side effect is mild soreness at the needle site, which usually goes away within a day or two.

What Conditions Can Be Treated?

IMS and Dry Needling can be used to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal and nerve-related conditions, such as:

• Back pain and neck pain

• Shoulder pain and frozen shoulder

• Tension headaches and migraines

• Tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow

• Hip and glute pain

• Sciatica

• Jaw pain or TMJ dysfunction

• Chronic muscle tightness

• Postural issues

• Plantar fasciitis

• Knee pain

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Sports injuries and muscle strains

If you've tried massage, stretching, or medications and still experience pain, these needling techniques may offer a new solution.

What to Expect During a Session

During an IMS or Dry Needling session, a trained physiotherapist will begin by assessing your posture, movement, and areas of pain or tightness. Once the treatment area is identified, a very fine needle is inserted into the targeted muscle.

You may feel a brief twitch or a deep ache, which is a good sign—the muscle is responding. The needle is then removed, and the area is gently moved or stretched. The entire session may last anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes depending on the number of areas treated.

Aftercare Tips:

• Mild soreness or tiredness in the treated area is normal.

• Applying heat (like a warm pack) can help reduce discomfort.

• Stay hydrated and gently stretch the muscles if advised.

• Avoid intense exercise for 24 hours after treatment.

Who Can Benefit from These Treatments?

IMS and Dry Needling are suitable for people of all ages, including:

• Office workers with poor posture or tension

• Athletes recovering from injuries or trying to improve performance

• Seniors dealing with stiffness or chronic pain

• Anyone suffering from muscle-related pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments

That said, these treatments may not be suitable for everyone. People with certain medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders, or those who are uncomfortable with needles, should talk to their healthcare provider before trying these techniques.

Final Thoughts

Pain can be overwhelming and life-limiting, but with the right tools and guidance, relief is possible. Intramuscular Stimulation and Dry Needling Therapy are safe, effective techniques used to target and treat muscle and nerve pain from the inside out.

Whether you’re dealing with a stubborn injury, chronic tension, or nerve-related pain, these therapies offer a natural, evidence-based way to help your body heal and move freely again. Always ensure your treatment is performed by a trained and certified physiotherapy professional who can personalize the approach based on your unique needs.