I've recently moved to London Ontario, and it was shocking to find out that I was the only physiotherapist in the city certified in performing Gunn IMS. This is a treatment that has gained much noteriety in the western provinces and has revolutionized how I practice. Because of this, I decided to write up some answers to commonly asked questions about the technique.
What is GunnIMS?
GunnIMS uses acupuncture needles to provide relief from pain and restore function to dysfunctional tissues. It was created by Dr. Chan Gunn of Vancouver, BC to aid in relief from chronic pain, but has since branched out to be used in many orthopaedic conditions and sports injuries as well.
GunnIMS uses acupuncture needles to provide relief from pain and restore function to dysfunctional tissues. It was created by Dr. Chan Gunn of Vancouver, BC to aid in relief from chronic pain, but has since branched out to be used in many orthopaedic conditions and sports injuries as well.
How is GunnIMS different than acupuncture?
Although GunnIMS uses acupuncture needles (commonly referred to as dry needles because medication is not injected through the needle), this is where most of the similarity stops. Acupuncture's origins are from Traditional Chinese Medicine; assessment and treatment are based around an ancient system of meridians. GunnIMS treatments are based on a thorough physical examination that is rooted in western medicine and grounded in our current understanding of anatomy and physiology.
Although GunnIMS uses acupuncture needles (commonly referred to as dry needles because medication is not injected through the needle), this is where most of the similarity stops. Acupuncture's origins are from Traditional Chinese Medicine; assessment and treatment are based around an ancient system of meridians. GunnIMS treatments are based on a thorough physical examination that is rooted in western medicine and grounded in our current understanding of anatomy and physiology.
I've had acupuncture before. How will this be different?
Acupuncture treatments typically leave the needles in for several minutes to an hour. GunnIMS treatments involve inserting and withdrawing the needles immediately. Because of this technique, it is often possible to get more points treated in a typical GunnIMS treatment compared to acupuncture. In general (but not always), acupuncture points are quite shallow and many are just under the skin or into the most superficial layer of muscle. GunnIMS needling finds trigger points deep within the muscles to release tone.
Acupuncture treatments typically leave the needles in for several minutes to an hour. GunnIMS treatments involve inserting and withdrawing the needles immediately. Because of this technique, it is often possible to get more points treated in a typical GunnIMS treatment compared to acupuncture. In general (but not always), acupuncture points are quite shallow and many are just under the skin or into the most superficial layer of muscle. GunnIMS needling finds trigger points deep within the muscles to release tone.
Is it painful?
This is always a difficult question to answer, due to pain having such a complex definition. I often prefer to use the term discomfort, instead of pain, in describing the effects on a patient. Each person experiences a different level of discomfort during the treatment. There are many gauges of needles (thinner needles are often more comfortable), and different points on the body will have different levels of discomfort. A skilled practitioner will be able to adjust his treatment according to the comfort level of the patient. I will always work within your comfort level, and you should never feel overwhelmed by the intensity of the treatment.
This is always a difficult question to answer, due to pain having such a complex definition. I often prefer to use the term discomfort, instead of pain, in describing the effects on a patient. Each person experiences a different level of discomfort during the treatment. There are many gauges of needles (thinner needles are often more comfortable), and different points on the body will have different levels of discomfort. A skilled practitioner will be able to adjust his treatment according to the comfort level of the patient. I will always work within your comfort level, and you should never feel overwhelmed by the intensity of the treatment.
How does GunnIMS work?
Like any therapy, the theories behind why GunnIMS works are constantly evolving as more scientific evidence emerges. The most current beliefs are that GunnIMS treatments are effective because of the effect on the nervous system. When a nerve does not communicate effectively with a muscle, many changes will occur. The muscle will attempt to compensate for the reduced signal from the nerve by increasing its sensitivity to the nerve. This increased sensitivity will increase the resting tone in the muscle, and tight bands will form within the muscle. GunnIMS relaxes the muscle in two ways. First, sticking a needle into the muscle at the point where the nerve meets the muscle (a trigger point) will set off a reflex that maximally relaxes the muscle. Secondly, the act of inserting a needle through the cells of a muscle changes the electrical activity around the muscle for 3 to 4 days, which is believed to help "normalize" the muscle back to an ideal state.
Like any therapy, the theories behind why GunnIMS works are constantly evolving as more scientific evidence emerges. The most current beliefs are that GunnIMS treatments are effective because of the effect on the nervous system. When a nerve does not communicate effectively with a muscle, many changes will occur. The muscle will attempt to compensate for the reduced signal from the nerve by increasing its sensitivity to the nerve. This increased sensitivity will increase the resting tone in the muscle, and tight bands will form within the muscle. GunnIMS relaxes the muscle in two ways. First, sticking a needle into the muscle at the point where the nerve meets the muscle (a trigger point) will set off a reflex that maximally relaxes the muscle. Secondly, the act of inserting a needle through the cells of a muscle changes the electrical activity around the muscle for 3 to 4 days, which is believed to help "normalize" the muscle back to an ideal state.
So does this mean the effects only last for 3 to 4 days?
Thankfully, in most cases, long lasting resolution of pain can be found. The most sensitive part of a nerve to pressure is the nerve root (located where the nerve passes the bones of the spine). Even though you may come to the clinic with elbow or knee pain, we will most likely also work around the muscles of the spine that put pressure on the nerve roots. The goal of treatment is to break a repetitive loop that leads to pain and dysfunction. When the muscles that pass over a nerve root get tight, they will compress the nerve. When the nerve is compressed, all of the muscles it supplies will get tighter. It just happens that the muscles that pass over the nerve roots are supplied by the same nerve that they pass over. What this means is they can get stuck in an endless cycle of compression leading to tightness… tightness leading to compression… compression leading to tightness… etc. By taking the pressure off the nerve at the source, we can get long standing relief of symptoms that last much longer than the physical effects of the needles on the body.
Thankfully, in most cases, long lasting resolution of pain can be found. The most sensitive part of a nerve to pressure is the nerve root (located where the nerve passes the bones of the spine). Even though you may come to the clinic with elbow or knee pain, we will most likely also work around the muscles of the spine that put pressure on the nerve roots. The goal of treatment is to break a repetitive loop that leads to pain and dysfunction. When the muscles that pass over a nerve root get tight, they will compress the nerve. When the nerve is compressed, all of the muscles it supplies will get tighter. It just happens that the muscles that pass over the nerve roots are supplied by the same nerve that they pass over. What this means is they can get stuck in an endless cycle of compression leading to tightness… tightness leading to compression… compression leading to tightness… etc. By taking the pressure off the nerve at the source, we can get long standing relief of symptoms that last much longer than the physical effects of the needles on the body.
For more information about the technique visit istop.org
Dave Zelibka - Physiotherapy and Acupuncture
172 Wortley Rd
London, ON
N6C3P7
226-777-7111
londonphysio.ca
172 Wortley Rd
London, ON
N6C3P7
226-777-7111
londonphysio.ca
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