Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) / Functional Dry Needling (FDN)
IMS or FDN is used to treat “trigger points” or “knots” within the body. The term dry needling indicates that there is nothing injected into the body through the needle. This technique uses small, pin-like needles compared to the large, hollow needles used to take blood.
What does dry needling feel like?
As the needle is inserted into the muscle tissue, a patient usually experiences a feeling of localized cramping, twitching, or aching within the muscle. Sometimes, IMS reproduces the same symptoms that caused a patient to seek treatment. There is a degree of post-treatment soreness due the chemical changes that occur within the treated area. The level of discomfort associated with dry needling varies between individuals and most symptoms subside within 24 hours.
Dry needling is effective at decreasing muscle tension, promoting tissue healing, and assisting in better neurological communication. IMS can therefore eliminate pain, restore normal range of motion, and increase strength and function.
