IMS Dry Needling
in Burnaby
IMS, or intramuscular stimulation at our Burnaby clinic, uses a fine needle to release tight muscle bands and calm irritated nerves. At Polygon Health, our registered physiotherapists use IMS for stubborn muscle pain, chronic tension, and stiffness that has not responded to other treatment. We direct bill ICBC, WorkSafeBC, and most extended health plans.
Regulate your nervous system and relax with IMS Dry needling
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IMS is performed only by physiotherapists registered with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC and certified in intramuscular stimulation. You are in the hands of someone who has trained specifically in this treatment.
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Needling is guided by a full assessment, not applied by default. Your physiotherapist identifies the muscles driving your symptoms and treats those, which means your session is built around your findings rather than a standard protocol.
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IMS releases tension, but lasting change comes from what surrounds it. Your physiotherapist pairs needling with hands on treatment, movement retraining, and a home program so the results hold between visits.
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Your physiotherapist walks you through what they found, why IMS fits, and what to do between visits. No guessing about your own recovery.
What you can expect
Our Burnaby Physiotherapist Team
FAQs
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IMS, or intramuscular stimulation, is a physiotherapy technique that uses a thin sterile needle to release tight bands of muscle and reduce nerve irritation. No medication is injected. The needle itself creates the response, prompting the shortened muscle to relax and restoring normal movement.
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No. Both use similar needles, but the reasoning differs. Acupuncture follows traditional Chinese medicine meridians and points. IMS is based on Western anatomy and neurology, targeting specific muscles identified during a physical assessment. We offer both at Polygon Health, and your practitioner can explain which suits your situation.
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Most people feel a deep cramping or grabbing sensation when the needle reaches a tight muscle. It is brief, usually a few seconds, and it means the muscle is responding. The needle insertion itself is often barely noticeable. Your physiotherapist adjusts based on your feedback throughout.
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Muscle soreness for 24 to 48 hours is normal and feels similar to the day after a hard workout. Some people notice looseness right away, others feel it once the soreness settles. Gentle movement, heat, and staying hydrated help.
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This depends on how long the issue has been present and what is driving it. Longstanding problems generally take more sessions than recent ones. Your physiotherapist reassesses each visit and will give you an honest estimate after your initial appointment rather than committing you to a set package.
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IMS performed by a registered physiotherapist is billed as physiotherapy, so it is covered under most extended health plans, ICBC claims, and WorkSafeBC claims. Polygon Health direct bills all three. Our team can confirm your specific coverage before your first visit.
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Wear or bring loose comfortable clothing that allows access to the area being treated. Shorts and a t shirt work well for most appointments. Your physiotherapist needs to see and reach the muscles involved.
