IMS, also known as dry needling, is a technique that uses thin acupuncture-style needles to target tight or sensitive muscles that may be contributing to pain or movement dysfunction. It’s especially effective for treating chronic or recurring issues that involve muscle tension, nerve irritation, or poor movement patterns.

At Recharge, IMS is one of the many tools we use to support your recovery. It’s not a stand-alone fix—it’s part of a bigger plan that includes movement, strength, and education to create lasting change.

Have you been stretching and rolling without much improvement in tight or painful areas?

Sometimes, muscles become so tense or irritated that they need a deeper reset. IMS works by stimulating the nervous system at the site of the dysfunction, helping the muscle relax, improving blood flow, and reducing pain signals. The result? Less tension, better movement, and a window of opportunity to retrain your body more effectively.

At Recharge, we use IMS as one part of a comprehensive approach to rehab and performance and only use it when it makes sense for your condition and comfort. If it’s a good fit, your therapist will explain exactly what to expect and how it can support your progress.

IMS + Electrical Stimulation

At Recharge, we sometimes enhance traditional IMS with electrical stimulation (e-stim) to deepen its effects on both the body and the nervous system. It’s a powerful option for those dealing with chronic pain, nerve irritation, or complex movement issues—and can help you recover with less soreness and better results.

Why Use E-Stim with IMS?

1. Less Soreness, Less Tissue Trauma

The electrical impulses help stimulate muscles without as much post-treatment soreness or bruising, making recovery more comfortable—especially for those with sensitive systems.

2. Precise Tissue Targeting

Just like traditional IMS, e-stim allows us to accurately target muscles and surrounding structures—but with the added ability to modulate how those tissues respond in real time.

3. More Versatile Applications

• Muscle activation to support strength and neuromuscular control

• Muscle pump action to improve blood flow and reduce swelling (great for lymphedema or injury recovery)

• Spasticity management in neurologic conditions

• Neuro-regeneration support, improving nourishment to nerves by stimulating surrounding muscles

• Pain modulation for both acute and chronic cases

4. Deeper Nervous System Effects

E-stim can produce more profound responses in the brain and spinal cord than regular IMS. By providing more sensory “input,” it can influence somatosensory mapping and brain plasticity—critical for recovery after injury or with persistent pain.

5. Better Outcomes

By calming the nervous system and promoting better motor and sensory function, e-stim can help turn off the body’s internal “alarm bells” and kickstart healing—especially when progress has stalled.

Conditions We Commonly Treat with IMS

• Chronic neck or low back pain

• Shoulder and rotator cuff related pain

• Hip pain or stiffness

• Sciatica or nerve-related tension

• Tendon pain (Achilles, knee, shoulder, elbow etc.)
  

What to Expect

IMS sessions involve placing fine needles into specific muscles based on your assessment. You might feel a brief twitch or cramp, followed by a release of tension in the area. Most people feel a mild soreness afterward—similar to a workout—but also a sense of relief and improved mobility.

IMS is usually combined with other treatments, including manual therapy, movement retraining, or exercise-based rehab.