When the Pain Just Won't Let Go
Some pain is stubborn. You've stretched, you've rested, maybe you've tried massage or other treatments, and the tightness or achiness just keeps coming back. It sits in the same spots. It flares up at the worst times. And it starts to feel like something your body has simply decided to hold onto.
For a lot of people, that cycle comes down to muscle tissue that's locked up at a deeper level. Standard treatments work on the surface, but they don't always reach the tight bands, overactive trigger points, or irritated nerves underneath. That's where IMS and dry needling can make a real difference.
If you're dealing with chronic muscle tension, nerve-related pain, headaches, or lingering soreness after a motor vehicle accident, you're not out of options.
What Is IMS and Dry Needling?
Intramuscular stimulation (IMS) and dry needling are closely related physiotherapy techniques that use fine, solid needles to release tension deep within muscle tissue. Unlike acupuncture, which is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, IMS is based on Western anatomy and neurological principles. The needle is inserted directly into a tight or overactive muscle, causing it to release and reset.
It's called "dry" needling because no fluid is injected. The needle itself does the work, interrupting the pain-tension cycle and helping your nervous system recalibrate.
How We Treat Pain at Camrose Physiotherapy
IMS and dry needling are a core part of how our physiotherapy team works, and our practitioners have some of the most specialized training in this area of any clinic in Camrose. Several of our physiotherapists are trained in IMS and dry needling and use it regularly for chronic muscle tightness, nerve and sciatic issues, disc problems, MVA recovery, and sport-related overuse injuries. Jana Evenson, BSc PT, is certified in Gunn IMS through the Institute for the Study and Treatment of Pain, Trigger Point Release, and Medical Acupuncture through the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute. Jessica Bosse, BSc Kin, MPT has completed additional training in dry needling and IMS alongside TMJ dysfunction and cupping. Ryan Peters, BSc Kin, MSc PT and the rest of our physiotherapy team round out a wide range of conditions and treatment approaches.
Shelby Kirk, BSc Kin, MSc PT, focuses on evidence-based, active rehabilitation with a strong emphasis on therapeutic exercise and manual therapy. Dan Gillespie, MScPT, PhD, brings experience across a wide range of conditions with a particular focus on exercise-based rehabilitation and shoulder injuries. Amanda Miller, RMT, offers registered massage therapy as a natural complement for patients whose care benefits from both physiotherapy and massage.
A few things that set our approach apart:
- Multiple practitioners trained in IMS, dry needling, and acupuncture under one roof
- Assessment-first treatment grounded in your specific movement patterns and pain history
- Physiotherapy, massage therapy, and acupuncture available as a coordinated care plan
Learn more about our team and credentials.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Step 1: Assessment
Step 2: Treatment
Step 3: Recovery and Follow-Up
What Patients Notice After IMS and Dry Needling
Relief from stubborn muscle tightness: Experience a release from chronic neck, back, and hip tension that has persisted despite other treatments.
Reduction in nerve-related pain: Witness a decrease in symptoms like sciatica, headaches, and pain that radiates from specific trigger points.
Accelerated recovery for athletes and accident victims: Achieve faster healing and return to daily activities, overcoming the plateau that often follows more general treatment approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions About IMS and Dry Needling in Camrose
Most patients feel a brief muscle twitch or a dull, deep ache when the needle hits a tight band, and many describe it as the sensation of "something releasing." It's not painless, but the discomfort is short-lived and most people find it very manageable.
IMS is a physiotherapy technique rooted in Western neurological science. It targets specific muscles and nerve pathways based on your physical assessment. Acupuncture follows a different framework rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. Jana Evenson offers acupuncture if that approach is a better fit for you.
It varies depending on how long you've had the issue and how your body responds. Some patients feel a significant difference after two or three sessions; others with longer-standing conditions may need more. Ryan will give you a realistic picture at your first appointment.
IMS performed by a registered physiotherapist is typically covered under physiotherapy benefits. We direct bill most major insurance providers. We also treat MVA and WCB patients, so if your pain stems from a workplace injury or motor vehicle accident, coverage is likely available.
IMS works well for people with stubborn muscle tension, nerve-related pain, disc issues, headaches, and sport or MVA injuries that haven't fully resolved. If you're not sure whether it's right for your situation, book an initial assessment and our team will give you a realistic picture at your first appointment.
Ready to Get Out of the Pain Cycle?
Camrose Physiotherapy has been serving patients in Camrose and the surrounding area for years, and IMS and dry needling have helped a lot of them get past the point where other treatments left off. If you're ready to find out whether it's right for you, booking your first appointment is the best place to start.
Camrose Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic
4715 65 St,Camrose, AB
T4V 3M5 View Staff & Treatments
