Intramuscular Stimulation - IMS is a specialized form of Trigger Point Dry Needling.

A Message from Dr. Goodman,

My interest In Intramuscular Stimulation, IMS, developed as a consequence of seeing too many of my patients still suffering with persistent pain after exhausting the standard approaches to treating musculoskeletal pain, including medication, injections, physical therapy and even surgery. I was looking for answers to why so many were still requiring opioid and other prescription medications or considering additional surgery or options such as spinal cord stimulators. Many ended up going to pain clinics and on disability. There seemed to be something missing from the traditional diagnostic and treatment model for spinal and regional musculoskeletal pain. That ‘something’ was the proper recognition and treatment of soft tissue, or myofascial pain.

IMS is an elaborated technique of trigger point dry needling that is based on a comprehensive model of diagnosis and treatment of neuropathic-myofascial pain syndromes. It specifically identifies the etiology of a large number of patients who suffer from persistent musculoskeletal pain as fundamentally neuropathic and myofascial trigger points as one of the many manifestations of this neuropathy that is radicular in its anatomical focus.

This model was developed from the clinically recognized work of C.C. Gunn, M.D. who began initially by treating injured workers. His published research in leading peer-reviewed journals has been recognized by the Volvo Award Committee and his model has been taught at the University of Washington for many years and recently the University of British Columbia as well. He has been awarded the Order of Canada for his contributions to understanding and treating chronic pain as well as the Janet Travell Clinical Pain Management Award from the American Academy of Pain Management.