Sports medicine acupuncture is also commonly known as IMS (intramuscular stimulation), or dry needling. The treatment principles are based heavily in Western medicine, using anatomical structures such as the origin and insertions of each individual muscle, orthopaedic assessment, and manual muscle testing to assess and treat structural musculoskeletal issues.
A small filament needle is used to elicit a “twitch response” from the muscle. This needle is very thin and does not have a hollow in it. This is where the term “dry needling” comes from because the needle, although very thin, is solid and not used to administer any kind of substance.
When the muscle is stimulated and contracts, this twitch response resets the muscle length and tone, making this kind of treatment extremely effective at reducing muscle tension or spasm and has immediate and very noticeable results.
Sports medicine acupuncture is most effective at treating chronic back pain, sciatica, muscle spasms, rotator cuff issues and general range of motion issues. While sports medicine acupuncture alone is a great treatment for dysfunction and pain, when combined with traditional acupuncture, acupressure, herbs and topical treatments, this style of treatment yields wonderful results, offering patients the best of both of treatments.
How does this style of treatment differ from traditional acupuncture?
This style of treatment is focused more on isolating problematic movement dysfunction, while traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture treats the body holistically, looking for patterns in the patient’s overall health. It also uses certain point selections that, we know from research, stimulates the release of significant amounts of dynorphin — our body’s own form of natural morphine. This relieves pain, no matter where you are feeling it.
Sports medicine acupuncture is an effective form of treatment, used as a stand-alone therapy or augmented with traditional Chinese medicine.
Dr. Tanya McMillan, R.Ac TCMD, MT, is a Doctor of Acupuncture, registered with CAA (regulatory body: College of Acupuncturists of Alberta), and a traditional Chinese medicine doctor and massage therapist.
