At Flex Physio & Wellness, we offer IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation) dry needling as an advanced treatment technique to address pain and muscle dysfunction. IMS dry needling involves the use of fine, sterile needles inserted into specific muscle trigger points to release tightness, improve blood flow, and reduce pain. This technique is particularly effective for treating conditions such as back pain, headaches, and muscle spasms. Our trained physiotherapists use IMS to target the root causes of your discomfort, helping to alleviate tension, enhance movement, and restore function. Whether you're dealing with chronic pain or recovering from an injury, IMS dry needling can be an effective part of your personalized treatment plan at Flex Physio & Wellness.
IMS (intramuscular stimulation) is a physiotherapy technique that uses thin, solid filament needles to treat chronic pain and muscle dysfunction. The needles are similar in appearance to acupuncture needles, but IMS targets the neuromuscular system rather than energy pathways. It is grounded in Western anatomy and neurophysiology, not traditional Chinese medicine.
During treatment, the needle is inserted directly into shortened or tight muscle bands — commonly known as trigger points. This causes a brief twitch response in the muscle, which resets the muscle's resting length, improves local blood flow, and reduces pain signals. The twitch is the therapeutic mechanism: it releases tension that stretching, massage, or exercise alone may not reach.
In Alberta, IMS dry needling is performed only by registered physiotherapists who hold specific IMS certification. At Flex Physio & Wellness in Grande Prairie, our physiotherapists are fully certified and use IMS as part of a broader treatment plan tailored to each patient's condition.
Persistent tension in the cervical or lumbar spine that doesn't respond to massage, stretching, or medication. IMS targets the deep muscle bands driving the pain cycle.
Tight muscles compressing or irritating nerve roots, causing radiating pain into the buttock, leg, or arm. IMS releases the muscular compression to reduce nerve irritation.
Muscle adhesions and trigger points from repetitive strain or athletic activity. IMS helps break up tight bands that limit performance and slow recovery.
Cervical and upper trapezius muscle tightness that refers pain into the head and behind the eyes. Releasing these trigger points often reduces headache frequency and intensity.
Rotator cuff trigger points that limit range of motion and cause pain with overhead movements. IMS restores normal muscle length to improve shoulder mechanics.
Chronic protective tightening that persists long after the original injury has healed. IMS resets the muscle's resting tone so rehabilitation exercises can be more effective.
Before your first session, your physiotherapist will complete a full assessment to identify which muscles are shortened and contributing to your pain. This includes range-of-motion testing, palpation of muscle bands, and a review of your injury history.
During treatment, a thin filament needle is inserted briefly into the tight muscle band. Most patients feel a dull ache or brief muscle twitch — this is the "grasp" response, and it is the therapeutic effect. The twitch confirms the needle has reached the target tissue and triggered the muscle to release.
Sessions typically last 30 to 45 minutes. IMS is often combined with manual therapy, stretching, or exercise rehabilitation to maximize your results. Some temporary soreness for 24 to 48 hours after treatment is normal and indicates that the muscle responded well.
Most patients notice meaningful improvement within 3 to 6 sessions, though chronic or longstanding conditions may require additional visits. Your physiotherapist will reassess your progress at each appointment and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
This is one of the most common questions we hear. While IMS and acupuncture both use thin needles, they are fundamentally different treatments with different goals and training requirements.
IMS is based on Western medicine. It targets specific tight muscles identified through physical assessment, is performed by physiotherapists with IMS certification, and treats neuromuscular pain by resetting shortened muscle bands. The needle placement is guided by anatomy — your physiotherapist selects insertion points based on which muscles are contributing to your symptoms.
Acupuncture is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It targets energy meridians (qi pathways) throughout the body, is performed by registered acupuncturists, and has broader therapeutic goals including stress relief, digestive health, and general wellness.
At Flex Physio & Wellness, IMS is always part of a physiotherapy treatment plan — not a standalone modality. Your physiotherapist uses it alongside manual therapy, exercise prescription, and education to address the root cause of your pain, not just the symptoms.
IMS (intramuscular stimulation) is a physiotherapy technique that uses thin, solid filament needles — similar in appearance to acupuncture needles — to treat chronic pain and muscle dysfunction. Unlike traditional acupuncture, which is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine and energy meridians, IMS is grounded in Western anatomy and neurophysiology. It directly targets the neuromuscular system.
The needle is inserted into a shortened or tight muscle band — often called a trigger point. This causes an involuntary twitch response in the muscle, which resets its resting length, reduces local inflammation, and interrupts the pain cycle. For many patients, this produces rapid and lasting relief that other therapies haven't been able to provide.
In Alberta, IMS dry needling is performed exclusively by registered physiotherapists who have completed additional certification training. At Flex Physio & Wellness in Grande Prairie, our physiotherapists use IMS as part of a comprehensive treatment plan — not as a standalone procedure.
Persistent muscle tightness in the neck and back that doesn't respond to massage or stretching is a classic IMS candidate. The technique reaches deeper layers that hands-on therapy often can't access.
Tight muscles along the spine or in the glutes can compress nerve roots and cause radiating pain into the legs. IMS releases these compressive muscle bands directly.
Athletes and active people often develop muscle adhesions from repetitive movement. IMS accelerates recovery by resetting overworked muscle tissue and restoring normal firing patterns.
Many tension headaches originate from tight muscles in the neck and upper back that refer pain into the head. IMS at these trigger points can reduce headache frequency and severity significantly.
Rotator cuff trigger points and shortened shoulder muscles limit range of motion and cause impingement pain. IMS directly addresses the muscular component alongside manual therapy and exercise.
After an injury, muscles often stay chronically tight as a protective response long after the original injury has healed. IMS helps break this guarding pattern and restore normal movement.
Your first IMS session begins with a thorough physiotherapy assessment. Your physiotherapist will identify which muscles are shortened, assess your movement patterns, and determine whether IMS is appropriate for your condition. Not every patient or every session involves needling — it's always part of a broader plan.
During treatment, the needle is inserted briefly into the target muscle. Most patients feel a dull ache or a brief muscle twitch — the twitch response is actually the therapeutic effect, indicating the needle has engaged the tight band. The sensation is distinct from a regular injection and typically lasts only a second or two.
Sessions typically run 30–45 minutes and often combine IMS with manual therapy or rehabilitation exercises. Some temporary soreness in the treated areas for 24–48 hours afterward is normal and indicates the muscle responded. Applying heat and staying hydrated helps with recovery. Most patients notice meaningful improvement within 3–6 sessions, though chronic conditions may require more.
This is one of the most common questions we hear. Both use thin needles, but the similarities end there:
At Flex Physio & Wellness, IMS is offered as part of physiotherapy — not as a separate acupuncture service. If you're unsure which is right for you, book a physiotherapy assessment and your therapist will recommend the best approach.
