Intramuscular Stimulation Victoria BC
CPTBC-Registered Physiotherapists
IMS-Credentialed Clinicians
5-Star Google Rating (250+ Reviews)
Direct Billing Available
Locally Owned and Operated
Resolve Stubborn Pain and Muscle Dysfunction with Clinician-Delivered IMS
Intramuscular stimulation (IMS) is a specialized dry needling technique used to treat chronic pain, nerve-sensitized muscle tissue, and overuse injuries that haven’t responded to conventional treatment. At our Victoria BC clinic, IMS and dry needling are delivered by a team of CPTBC-registered physiotherapists, the majority of whom hold formal dry needling credentials. Co-owner Alec Myring holds the CGIMS designation, a certification specific to the Gunn IMS method. Unlike acupuncture, IMS is grounded in Western medical science and targets dysfunctional muscle tissue directly. It is an evidence-informed technique that works alongside your broader rehabilitation plan to produce durable symptom resolution, not just short-term relief.
Why Trust South Island Physiotherapy for IMS Treatment?
IMS and Dry Needling Credentials Across the Clinical Team
The majority of our CPTBC-registered physiotherapists hold formal dry needling credentials, and all three co-owners are credentialed in IMS or dry needling. Co-owner Alec Myring holds the CGIMS designation, a specific certification in the Gunn IMS method. Co-owners Jason Nenzel and Colin Beattie are also credentialed in dry needling, as are associate physiotherapists Kaitlyn Wong, Emily Ervine, Joseph Rector, Chris Vilayphonh, and Arianna Wood. When IMS or dry needling is clinically appropriate for your presentation, a credentialed clinician is available to deliver it.
5-Star Google Rating from 250+ Victoria Patients
Our clinic has earned a 5-star rating across more than 250 Google reviews from patients across Greater Victoria. Our reviews reflect the outcomes our patients experience, including those referred for IMS after other approaches have fallen short.
Integrated Clinic Model
IMS does not exist in isolation at South Island Physiotherapy. Where it is clinically indicated, it is integrated with physiotherapy, shockwave therapy, and kinesiology to deliver a coordinated rehabilitation plan. Passive techniques like IMS are used to create a therapeutic window for active rehabilitation, not as a replacement for it.
Direct Billing to Most Major Insurers
We direct bill to most major extended health benefit plans. IMS delivered by a registered physiotherapist is typically covered under physiotherapy benefits. Ask our admin team to confirm your specific coverage before your appointment.
What Is Intramuscular Stimulation?
Intramuscular stimulation is a treatment technique developed by Dr. Chan Gunn, a Canadian physician, based on the observation that many chronic pain conditions involve supersensitive or shortened muscles caused by neuropathic changes in the nervous system. A fine acupuncture needle is inserted directly into the affected muscle tissue to stimulate a reflex release, reducing tightness, improving blood flow, and normalizing nerve function. This approach is sometimes referred to as functional dry needling, reflecting its goal of restoring normal muscle function rather than simply reducing pain.
IMS is distinct from traditional acupuncture in both its theoretical basis and its application. Acupuncture follows Traditional Chinese Medicine principles and targets meridian pathways. IMS is based on neurophysiology and targets specific dysfunctional muscle tissue identified through physical assessment. The needles used are similar in appearance, but the clinical rationale and technique differ substantially.
For a more detailed explanation of how IMS works and what to expect, read our blog post: Intramuscular Stimulation: What It Is and How It Works.
Conditions We Treat with IMS Dry Needling in Victoria BC
IMS therapy is most effective for conditions involving nerve-sensitized or shortened muscle tissue, particularly where pain has become chronic or has not responded fully to other interventions. Conditions commonly treated with IMS at South Island Physiotherapy include:
- Chronic neck and back pain, including pain with a nerve-sensitization component
- Repetitive strain and overuse injuries in athletes and desk-based professionals
- Shoulder impingement and rotator cuff-related pain
- Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow (lateral and medial epicondylalgia)
- Knee pain, including runner’s knee and patellar tendinopathy
- Hip and glute pain, including piriformis syndrome
- Plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy
- Headaches with a cervicogenic (neck-related) component
- Post-surgical recovery involving muscle inhibition or nerve involvement
- Chronic pain that has plateaued with conventional physiotherapy alone
IMS is not appropriate for every patient or every condition. Your physiotherapist will conduct a thorough assessment before recommending it as part of your treatment plan.
How IMS Works at South Island Physiotherapy
Assessment First
Before any needling takes place, your physiotherapist conducts a full assessment of your pain, movement, and contributing factors. IMS is recommended only where the clinical picture supports it. We do not apply it routinely or without a clear rationale.
Targeted Needle Insertion
A fine sterile needle is inserted into the identified dysfunctional muscle tissue. You may feel a muscle twitch, a dull ache, or a brief cramp-like sensation as the muscle responds. This reaction, called a local twitch response, is considered a positive clinical sign and indicates the technique is reaching the intended tissue.
Part of a Broader Rehabilitation Plan
IMS creates a therapeutic window, a period of reduced pain and improved muscle function, that we use to advance your active rehabilitation. Following IMS, your treatment plan progresses through structured exercise, manual therapy, and where indicated, shockwave therapy.
Typical Response and Recovery
Some patients experience soreness in the treated area for 24 to 48 hours following IMS. This is a normal inflammatory response and typically resolves quickly. Most patients notice a meaningful reduction in pain and improvement in movement within a small number of sessions, though individual response varies depending on the chronicity and nature of the condition.
For more on what to expect from dry needling treatment, see our post: The Power of Intramuscular Stimulation.
IMS vs. Acupuncture: What Is the Difference?
This is one of the most common questions we receive. Both techniques use fine needles inserted into the body, but the similarities largely end there.
For a more detailed comparison, read our post: Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture: What You Need to Know.
IMS
- Based on Western neurophysiology and musculoskeletal medicine
- Targets dysfunctional, supersensitive muscle tissue identified through physical assessment
- Delivered by a physiotherapist with specific IMS credentials
- Integrated into a broader physiotherapy and rehabilitation plan
- Covered under most physiotherapy extended health benefits
Acupuncture
- Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles and meridian theory
- Targets specific points along energy pathways regardless of physical tissue assessment
- Delivered by a licensed acupuncturist or practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Typically billed under acupuncture or TCM extended health benefits
Serving Greater Victoria and Surrounding Communities
Our clinic is based in Saanich and provides intramuscular stimulation and IMS dry needling to patients across Greater Victoria. We regularly see patients from Oak Bay, Esquimalt, Langford, Colwood, Cordova Bay, View Royal, and Central Saanich. If you are dealing with chronic pain or a stubborn injury that has not responded to other treatment, our IMS-credentialed physiotherapists are here to help.
Areas we serve:
- Saanich
- Oak Bay
- Esquimalt
- Langford
- Colwood
- Cordova Bay
- Central Saanich
- View Royal
- Sidney
- Metchosin
FAQs: Intramuscular Stimulation in Victoria BC
Is IMS painful?
Most patients describe the sensation during IMS as a brief muscle twitch, dull ache, or cramp-like feeling at the point of needle insertion. This is a normal response and usually lasts only a few seconds. Some post-treatment soreness in the treated area is common and typically resolves within 24 to 48 hours. Patients who have had IMS previously often describe subsequent sessions as progressively more comfortable as the tissue responds to treatment.
How many IMS sessions will I need?
The number of sessions varies depending on the condition, how chronic it is, and how your body responds. Acute presentations may respond in two to four sessions. Chronic pain conditions with a significant nerve-sensitization component may require a longer course of treatment. Your physiotherapist will give you a realistic estimate following your initial assessment and update it as your recovery progresses.
Is IMS covered by extended health benefits in BC?
IMS delivered by a registered physiotherapist is typically covered under the physiotherapy benefit on most extended health benefit plans in BC. Coverage varies by plan and employer. We direct bill most major insurers, so your out-of-pocket cost will depend on your specific coverage. Contact our admin team to confirm your plan before your appointment.
Who performs IMS at South Island Physiotherapy?
The majority of our CPTBC-registered physiotherapists hold formal dry needling credentials. Co-owner Alec Myring holds the CGIMS designation, a specific certification in the Gunn IMS method. Co-owners Jason Nenzel and Colin Beattie are also credentialed in dry needling, as are associate physiotherapists Kaitlyn Wong, Emily Ervine, Joseph Rector, Chris Vilayphonh, and Arianna Wood. IMS is always preceded by a thorough physiotherapy assessment and integrated into a broader rehabilitation plan tailored to your injury and goals.
Do I need a referral to book IMS treatment?`
No referral is required. Physiotherapy in BC is a direct-access profession, which means you can book directly with our clinic without first seeing a physician. Some extended health benefit plans require a referral for reimbursement purposes, so it is worth confirming your plan’s requirements before your appointment.
What is the difference between IMS and dry needling?
The terms are often used interchangeably in clinical practice, though there are technical distinctions. IMS refers specifically to the technique developed by Dr. Chan Gunn and is based on a particular neurophysiological model of chronic pain. Dry needling is a broader term that encompasses several needling techniques targeting myofascial trigger points. In practical terms, the treatment you receive at South Island Physiotherapy is guided by the same core principles of targeting dysfunctional muscle tissue to reduce pain and restore function.
Can IMS help with chronic pain that has not improved with other physiotherapy?
Yes. IMS is often most useful for patients whose pain has a nerve-sensitization component that has not responded fully to manual therapy, exercise, or other conventional physiotherapy interventions. If your pain has plateaued or keeps returning despite treatment, IMS may be worth discussing with your physiotherapist as part of a revised approach to your care.
Intramuscular Stimulation Pricing
IMS at South Island Physiotherapy is delivered as part of a physiotherapy appointment and billed at physiotherapy rates. There is no separate fee for IMS. Our physiotherapy fees are:
- Initial assessment (45 min, includes shockwave where indicated): $135
- Initial complex assessment (60 min, includes shockwave where indicated): $200
- Return appointment (30 min): $126
- Return appointment (45 min): $175
We direct bill most major extended health benefit plans. IMS delivered by a registered physiotherapist is typically covered under your physiotherapy benefit. Contact our admin team to confirm your coverage before your first visit.
to Try IMS Dry Needling in Victoria BC?
If chronic pain or a stubborn injury is limiting your life, intramuscular stimulation may be the missing piece in your rehabilitation plan. Our IMS-credentialed physiotherapist at South Island Physiotherapy in Victoria BC will assess your condition thoroughly and recommend IMS only where it is clinically appropriate for you.
