Dry Needling/IMS

Did you know dry needling is beneficial and pain-free?

Dry needling is a safe and effective method of treatment provided at Cure to reduce pain and muscle tension, while also improving mobility.

It has been proven to treat numerous musculoskeletal issues. These include acute and chronic injuries, overuse injuries, neck pain, headaches, back pain, sciatica, muscle spasms, muscle strains, tendinitis, knee pain, hip pain, fibromyalgia, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and more.

If you are in Edmonton, AB looking for relief, or if you’d like to gain more information on how dry needling could benefit you, book an appointment at Cure today!

Our licensed Edmonton, AB physiotherapists use dry needling as a treatment to relieve pain.

What should you expect during a dry needling treatment? Our physiotherapists will insert a sterile needle through the skin, the underlying tendons, ligaments, and/or muscles that have been affected. This will help to relieve pain, decrease muscle tension, and improve mobility.

While it is a common misconception, dry needling is not acupuncture. It is based on a modern scientific study of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems.

There are similarities between dry needling and acupuncture. However, dry needling is strictly based on Western medicine principles and research. It stimulates the body’s ability to heal and reduces pain in the process.

Most of our patients report feeling little to no discomfort when undergoing dry needling treatments.

Our highly-trained physiotherapists know how to make the process as painless as possible. However, some patients may still experience a “twitch response” with the insertion of the needle.

This is comparable to a quick muscle cramp or ache. You may feel muscle soreness during the first 24-48 hours after a dry needling treatment. This will go away on its own.

You can also treat sore muscles at home by applying ice and/or heat packs and drinking plenty of fluids.

There are a large variety of musculoskeletal issues that can be treated with dry needling. Our physiotherapists combine dry needling with our traditional exercise-based physiotherapy treatments and advanced manual therapy techniques. In addition, we have found that the vast majority of our patients achieved the pain-free goals they were aiming toward after these treatments.

After conducting a thorough evaluation to assess your condition, our Edmonton, AB physiotherapist will let you know if dry needling is the best course of treatment for you.

We have used dry needling to treat several diverse conditions, from chronic pain sufferers to athletes experiencing delayed onset muscle soreness.

The number of dry needling treatments that you will need is based on several factors. These include your general health, the duration, and the extent of your condition. Other factors include the prevalence of scar tissue, the condition of your nerves, and how quickly your body can heal. If the pain began recently, one treatment may be all that is necessary. However, the average person responds very well within four to six treatments.

IMS has a remarkable success rate, as proven by the elimination of symptoms and signs, even for chronic pain.

No. While both treatments use acupuncture needles, IMS and acupuncture are very different procedures. Acupuncture is a traditional Eastern medicine that focuses on energy flow within the body. IMS is a newer Western treatment that specifically targets muscle pain. Acupuncture is typically painless while IMS elicits a twitch response.

Do not expect dry needling/IMS to hurt. However, the treatment is actively releasing over-tense muscles. You might also experience the twitch response. Therefore, you may experience slight discomfort.

There is no need to take pain medication for IMS or dry needling before your treatment. Our physiotherapists will make the experience as painless as possible. Medications that dull your senses beforehand can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment over the long term. After the treatment, you may take over-the-counter medication to reduce any discomfort.

Cure is a direct billing clinic in South Edmonton/West Edmonton. For many clients services such as IMS and dry needling are covered (all or in part) by most benefit plans.

As your local physiotherapists in the Duggan community of South Edmonton and The Hamptons/Edgemont Communities of West Edmonton, we welcome both new, returning, and referral patients. Call our clinic or book through our website to learn how dry needling/IMS treatment in Edmonton can dramatically improve your movement, your muscles, and your life.