What is IMS?

The Shortened Muscle Syndrome

 Nerves and muscles are like an electrical circuit, with the nerve respresenting the wire and the muscle the light bulb. Due to injuries and the normal wear-and-tearof life the nerve signal 'runs down' and the muscle begins to 'short out', occasionally going into spasm. Gradually the muscle begins to actually shorten its length, leading to stiffness and pain. Many patients report "feeling stuck" or "out-of-place" due to shortened muscles restricting nomal joint or spinal mobility.

Blood flow is compromised,  toxins build up and muscle function is impaired. Palpable tender knots called trigger points develop in the muscles.

 

 

Over time the shortened muscle exerts increasing tension on its tendon attachment to the bone, which gradually leads to the various tendonitis, bursitis and joint pain syndromes depending upon which muscle is shortened.

 

Shortened Muscle(s)	Syndrome
Gluteal, Pyriformis	Sciatica, Gluteal or Ischial Bursitis,           Pyriformis Syndrome
Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Major, Subscapularis	Shoulder Capsulitis or Rotator Cuff        Tendonitis - Impingement
Biceps	Bicipital Tendonitis
Wrist Extensors	Extensor Tendonitis or Tennis Elbow
Neck, Shoulder & Arm	Repetitive Strain Injury, CRPS or RSD
Calf muscles	Achilles Tendonitis & Heel Pain
Pelvic Floor	Coccydynia & Chronic Pelvic Pain
Anterior Leg Muscles	Patella Tendonitis & 'Shin Splints'
Foot Muscles	Plantar Fasciitis & Morton's Neuroma
Spinal Neck & Back Muscles	Facet or Disc Syndrome, Radiculopathy
Masseter- Jaw, Occipital, Temporalis	TMJ Tension Headache

 

In addition, if the tendon passes through a tendon sheath ('synovium'), then inflammation called tenosynovitis develops, as in 'DeQuervain's Tenosynovitis' of the wrist & thumb.

Also, if the tendon attaches to a floating bone like the knee cap, then increased wear-and-tear develops between the knee cap and the femur, called 'Patella-Femoral Chondromalacia'.

 

 

When the shortened muscle crosses or attaches at a joint, then 'arthralgia' and eventually  

'arthritis' develop:

  Hand & Wrist Muscles = Hand Arthritis

  Gluteal Muscles = Hip Bursitis & Arthritis

  Thigh muscles = Knee Arthritis

 

 

Shortened muscles between vertebrae increase pressure and inflammation on discs, nerve roots and facet joints in the cervical and lumbar spine.

 

 

IMS REVERSES SHORTENED MUSCLE SYNDROME

Intramuscular Stimulation, or IMS, is a scientifically based and proven technique for reversing the shortened muscles that cause musculo-skeletal pain. Developed in the 1970s by Dr. C.C. Gunn, it is now practiced worldwide by the international medical profession. It uses a very fine flexible pin, located and placed according to anatomical and physiological principles. The pin is employed in a manner that is similar to the reflex hammer that is used to elicit normal muscle reflexes in the arms or legs; after stimulating a brief muscle contraction, the muscle relaxes and stretches out.

 

 

Like the reflex hammer that is used to elicit the normal spinal muscular reflexes, the IMS pin stimulates the brief contraction, followed by relaxation of the shortened muscle fibers.This release of muscle contractures leads to pain relief and true functional rehabilitation. Patients often reduce or eliminate medication, and return to previously abandoned recreational and lifestyle activities.

 

 

IMS was developed by Dr. Chan Gunn of Vancouver, Canada over 30 years ago. Dr. Gunn has been recognized by numerous prestigious international scientific and medical organizations for his significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of chronic pain. He is a Clinical Professor at the University of Washington Multidisciplinary Pain Center, and received the Janet Travell Pain Management Award in 2003, the highest international recognition that a physician who specializes in the treatment of myofascial or chronic soft-tissue pain can attain.

Dr. Goodman has been studying and treating patients with IMS since 1993 when he first met Dr. Gunn. He is regularly engaged in lecturing on and teaching the model to physicians around the world, including those he has taught as Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Washington Multidisciplinary Pain Center. He has treated more than a thousand patients with this approach over the past 10+ years, and has found it to be the most effective treatment for myofascial or chronic soft tissue-muscular pain problems. Please see the home page for a list of conditions amenable to IMS.

Following a thorough medical examination of the patient, the problem areas are identified and a very fine acupuncture style pin is used to release muscle contractures which constitute the source of the pain. Typically, weekly sessions progressively lead to both signs of objective physical improvement as well as decreased symptoms. Treatment is provided on an outpatient basis and is complimented with a home stretching program and lifestyle modification. The number of sessions is dictated by the severity of the problem as identified by the history and physical examination. The response to treatment depends upon multiple factors including the overall health of the patient and any post-surgical scarring present.

What is IMS.doc

 

 

What is IMS.doc

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