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Intramuscular Stimulation (Gunn IMS) Trigger Point Dry Needling
LearnIMS - Trigger Point Dry Needling for Treatment of Myofascial Pain
* Extensive 'hands-on' teaching * Apply the techniques in the classroom
A unique opportunity is being offered to learn IMS in small group setting where you will have continuous personal instruction from Steven R. Goodman, MD, Susan Schmitt MD and Jason Bruns MPT in learning this invaluable technique. At the completion of the course/workshop you will be able to begin using IMS immediately to treat patients. It will provide you with a powerful therapeutic tool that will transform your practice. The course is open to MD/DO/PT/and ARNP's with active licenses; and that have been in practice for at least one year (or your State's minimum) by the time you attend LearnIMS.
Receive personalized instruction, including lab sessions, in a course conducted by Drs. Goodman and Schmitt and Jason Bruns, MPT and earn 27 contact hours/30 CE credits. This is an intensive, hands-on, three-day workshop that begins each day at 8 AM and ends at 6 PM. Students should come prepared to participate, practice, and apply as they learn.
The LearnIMS Continuing Education course is a hands-on workshop.
C. Chan Gunn, M.D., S. Goodman, M.D.
2004 iSTOP Gunn IMS Instructors Course
Go To Course Summary Page
LearnIMS Continuing Education
Professional Prerequisites: Current active M.D., D.O. license; or a P.T. or A.R.N.P. license with minimum one-year postgraduate clinical work experience or your state guidelines; current professional malpractice insurance coverage.
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General Course Information
LearnIMS is designed to provide intensive instruction in the identification of appropriate patients for, and the safe practice of, IMS. Only qualified professionals committed to acquiring an understanding of the scientific basis of and developing the technical skills necessary for the practice of IMS should register for this course. The course presumes a thorough working knowledge of peripheral neuro-musculoskeletal anatomy, including surface anatomy. The course will emphasize safety and by its completion the student should be able to successfully demonstrate competency not only in the safe practice of, but in the scientific basis, indications, contraindications, risks and potential complications of IMS. Only students who satisfactorily demonstrate all of this knowledge and the necessary skills through written examination and direct observation by the course Faculty will be awarded a certificate of completion.
The faculty's goal to have you immediately begin offering IMS safely and effectively in your practice. While not without its risks, IMS can be learned by properly qualified practitioners in one complete course/workshop.
During this course and workshop you will have personal and continuous observation and instruction directly from the instructors in learning this treatment model. Since course enrollment is limited, you will get frequent practice in this technique during the workshop to help you build the confidence necessary to begin using it immediately. It will transform your practice by providing an effective non-drug, non-surgical solution for your patients.
It is not possible to safely and properly practice IMS without experiencing it yourself. This course will contain lectures, demonstrations and practical sessions where you will be asked to act as a model for the instructor or for fellow participants. Activities that you will be asked to participate in include demonstration of physical examination and receiving IMS during practice sessions. Comfortable athletic/gym shorts and for women, tank tops or sport bras are required; gluteal areas will be included in the course. If, at any time, you feel uncomfortable, it is your responsibility to tell the instructor during the session.
Due to the risks, the presence of systemic infection/communicable disease, immunocompromised/HIV+, pregnancy and implanted cardiac pacemakers are contraindications to IMS treatment and so anyone with these conditions is not allowed to register or participate in the course. If you develop a systemic infection or become immunocompromised / HIV+ or pregnant after you register for the course, the Cancellation Policy will apply. If you are on anti-coagulants/blood thinners, have a joint replacement, breast implant or area of localized infection or if you anticipate having any of these conditions at the time of the course, please contact us to discuss.
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“Fabulous Course! Best Continuing Education course I have attended to date, I would highly recommend. Very knowledgeable.”
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Kevin Mandala, P.T., Billings, Montana
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“Best place to learn IMS!”
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Mandeep Randhawa, P.T.
New Westminster, B.C.
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“Hands on approach & recommendations by Dr. Goodman were great. Very well organized & easy to understand the concepts of IMS. Overall great class. I feel confident on using IMS on clients.”
Lindsey Tripp, DPT, Corvallis, MT
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“Great time management and I really liked how you spent time answering questions, and appreciated the individual feedback. I really appreciated all the background with the theory of myofascial pain and all the references to the current literature. I feel excited to see an approach that has some overwhelming research backing it up. Also great to learn a technique that is not mainstream.”
Mary Marshall, DPT, OCS, CSCS, Bozeman, MT
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“I have done acupuncture for 13 years. This model provides (my way of thinking) a better explanation of chronic symptoms and treatment principles. Thank you for an educational and enjoyable course. Wouldn't change a thing.”
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Wade Bierbach, PT Medicine Hat, Alberta
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“Awesome course overall! Hard to imagine something better in terms of great information and useful techniques over such a short period of time. Dr. Goodman was a great instructor!. Will be recommending to everyone.”
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Dan Stapleton, P.T., Surrey, B.C.
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“Great structure to the course, great pacing with the lecture. Great value and knowledge in 1 nice colection. Amazing tips and feedback on safety and application. This was a practice changing course and will likely influence my thinking in future patient interactions.”
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Iyad Salloum, P.T., Vancouver, B.C.
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“Excellent overview of physiology and anatomy. Important points, techniques and pitfalls (danger areas) well covered. Good breaks between topics to practice and move around; balanced lecture and technical.”
Katrina McGillivary, D.O.
Black River Falls, Wisconsin
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“Wonderful course! Dr. Goodman was a fabulous instructor! In the 14 years of PT practice – best continuing education course taken! Highly recommend! Dr. Goodman explained all aspects of IMS in a very effective way – easy to understand and now I feel very confident in explaining this process to my patients.”
Rebekah Stamp, MSPT, Hamilton, MT
LearnIMS Course Prerequisites and Preparation
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To achieve the goal set by the Faculty for each student, it is mandatory that every person enrolled in LearnIMS meet the prerequisite professional qualifications and complete pre-course assignments.
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Professional Prerequisites: Current active M.D., D.O. license; P.T. or A.R.N.P. license with minimum one-year postgraduate clinical work experience or your state guidelines; current professional malpractice insurance coverage.
MANDATORY Course Preparation includes obtaining the required reference textbooks and completing reading assignments prior to taking a LearnIMS course.
Required Textbooks and Reading Assignments: ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE THEIR OWN PERSONAL HARD COPY FORMAT OF THE REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS (2) AND BRING THEM TO THE COURSE. Digital E-book versions are NOT ACCEPTABLE. On Day 1 of the LearnIMS course, ONLY STUDENTS THAT BRING THE REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS WILL BE GIVEN THE COURSE MATERIAL.
These books (2) are REQUIRED BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER the LearnIMS Course. The professional practice of IMS requires that ALL practitioners have immediate ready access in their office to the required textbooks. These texts are used as bedside treatment manuals and are REQUIRED for SAFE PRACTICE. ELECTRONIC VERSIONS ARE INADEQUATE FOR THIS PURPOSE.
The required textbooks are:
1) The Gunn Approach to the Treatment of Chronic Pain: Intramuscular Stimulation of Radiculopathic Origin. Gunn, C.C. Churchill Livingstone, 2nd ed. 1996
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2) Trigger Point Dry Needling: An Evidence and Clinical Based Approach.
Dommerholt, et.al. Churchill Livingstone, 2nd ed. 2018
IMPORTANT: ON DAY 1 OF THE LEARNIMS COURSE THERE WILL BE A WRITTEN EXAM ON THE REQUIRED PRE-COURSE READING ASSIGNMENTS BELOW:
BOOK #1 (Gunn Approach …): READ the Forward, Preface, Introduction: pages vii-xvi, 1-10. AND Review pages 117-119: Segmental Innervation of Muscles, PRIOR to the course.
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BOOK #2 (Trigger Point …): READ Chapter 15 in the 2nd edition or READ Chapter 14 in the 1st edition of the book. Either edition is acceptable.
STUDENTS CANNOT AND WILL NOT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE COURSE AND BE AWARDED A CE CERTIFICATE WITHOUT POSSESSING THE REQUIRED REFERENCE TEXTBOOKS IN HARD COPY AND COMPLETING THE COURSE READING ASSIGNMENTS.
Post Course Requisite:
To support the effective practice of IMS, each LearnIMS course graduate should have an appropriate reference book about surface anatomy and palpation. There are multiple books that can be used. An example (and the reference used during the LearnIMS Course) is:
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Atlas of Surface Palpation: Anatomy of the Neck, Trunk, Upper and Lower Limbs. Serge Tixa. Churchill Livingstone; 2nd edition 2008
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It can also not be recommended strongly enough that you invest in an iPad tablet computer and two apps that will make your learning and practice of IMS safer, more effective and more enjoyable as you are confident of the anatomy you are dealing with: 'Human Body Atlas: 3D Medical’ and an app that provides invaluable diagrams of trigger point referral patterns: ‘Muscle Trigger Points’. I am sure there are similar products available for PC tablets.
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STUDENTS MUST OBTAIN THESE 3 BOOKS ON THEIR OWN. LEARNIMS DOES NOT PROVIDE OR SELL THESE BOOKS.
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The Course Registration fee is $1,500 and Includes:
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Three days (8AM-6PM) of instruction and lab sessions that include 27 contact hours and 30 CE credit hours
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A box lunch each day, water, teas, coffee, fruit snacks during course breaks
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Printed handout of lectures, scientific references
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All supplies needed to participate in workshop
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Supplies for participant to take home and begin practice
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Printed handouts: IMS patient information brochure (explains IMS to prospective patients), Patient Consent Form, Pre and Post IMS Treatment Patient Information Instructions
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List of suppliers for necessary equipment (needles, point finders, medical supplies)
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For participants that complete the course, access to Drs. Goodman and Schmitt via e-mail to answer questions and provide support as they apply IMS
9. A Certificate of Completion documenting 27 contact hours and 30 CE credit hours -
including classroom study and practical application of LearnIMS Gunn Intramuscular
Stimulation (IMS) Trigger Point Dry Needling - will be issued to participants who
satisfactorily fulfill all course completion requirements. Please see the "Registration"
page of this website for a description of the completion requirements.
Additional LearnIMS course details can be found on the Registration page of this website.
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A BOOK THAT IS RECOMMENDED HIGHLY (not required):
Myofascial Pain and Dyfunction – The Trigger Point Manual. Volume 1 & 2.
Travell JG, Simons DG. Williams and Wilkens.1983
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