How IMS Can Help Shoulder Pain and Mobility Issues

Shoulder pain is one of the most common complaints among people of all ages and activity levels. Whether it’s caused by posture, repetitive use, sports, or injury, shoulder pain can significantly impact daily life and limit your ability to move freely. In Surrey, BC, more people are turning to Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) as an effective treatment for managing shoulder pain and improving mobility.

IMS, also known as dry needling, is a specialized treatment performed by trained physiotherapists. It targets muscle tightness and nerve irritation by inserting thin acupuncture-style needles into affected areas, specifically taut bands of muscle known as trigger points. This therapy is evidence-informed and particularly effective for treating chronic pain and movement dysfunction.

In this blog, we’ll explore how IMS works, how it differs from traditional acupuncture, and how it can help relieve shoulder pain and restore mobility—especially for those living and working in Surrey, BC.

Understanding the Shoulder and Why Pain Happens

The shoulder is one of the most complex joints in the body. It relies on a delicate balance of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints to allow a wide range of motion. This complexity also makes it vulnerable to dysfunction. Common causes of shoulder pain include:

• Rotator cuff injuries

• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)

• Tendonitis or bursitis

• Postural strain from sitting or desk work

• Sports or lifting injuries

• Nerve-related pain or referred pain from the neck

When the muscles around the shoulder become overly tight, imbalanced, or irritated due to repetitive use or poor posture, they can compress nearby nerves and restrict movement—leading to pain, inflammation, and stiffness.

What Is IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation)?

IMS is a dry needling technique developed to treat myofascial pain that originates from muscle and nerve dysfunction. Unlike traditional acupuncture, which is based on energy flow and meridians, IMS is rooted in Western medicine and targets physical causes of pain.

During an IMS session:

• Fine, single-use needles are inserted into tight or shortened muscles.

• These muscles often show signs of sensitivity due to underlying nerve irritation.

• The needle helps release the muscle spasm and stimulate a natural healing response by increasing blood flow and reducing nerve hypersensitivity.

The result? Decreased muscle tightness, improved mobility, and reduced pain.

How IMS Helps Shoulder Pain and Stiffness

If you're experiencing ongoing shoulder pain that hasn't responded to stretching or massage alone, IMS may offer a deeper solution. Here’s how it helps:

1.Targets Deep Muscle Tension

Many shoulder issues stem from deep postural or stabilizing muscles that are hard to reach with manual therapy. IMS directly targets these muscles, including the rotator cuff, upper trapezius, and levator scapulae.

2.Reduces Nerve Irritation

In cases where nerves are mildly compressed or irritated (often from poor posture or repetitive movements), the surrounding muscles tend to tighten as a protective response. IMS helps reduce this protective tension, relieving pressure on the nerve and improving function.

3.Restores Range of Motion

By relaxing shortened muscles and reducing spasms, IMS allows for greater freedom of movement. This is especially helpful in cases of frozen shoulder or stiffness from long hours of computer work.

4.Complements Rehab and Exercise

IMS works best when integrated into a comprehensive physiotherapy plan. After releasing muscle tension, patients often progress faster through corrective exercises and rehab, making it an ideal pairing.

What to Expect During an IMS Session in Surrey, BC

If you're visiting a physiotherapy clinic in Surrey that offers IMS, here’s what a typical session might look like:

• Assessment: Your physiotherapist will assess your posture, range of motion, and identify specific trigger points contributing to your shoulder pain.

• Treatment: The physio will insert fine needles into the identified tight bands of muscle. You might feel a dull ache, twitch, or brief muscle cramp—a sign that the muscle is responding.

• Aftercare: It’s common to feel some soreness afterward (like after a workout), which usually resolves in 24-48 hours. Your therapist may give you light exercises or stretches to support the treatment.

Most people notice improvement after 1-3 sessions, though chronic conditions may require more.

Who Can Benefit From IMS for Shoulder Pain?

IMS is ideal for people experiencing:

• Chronic shoulder pain that hasn’t responded to other therapies

• Limited range of motion in the shoulder or upper back

• Pain caused by repetitive work (e.g., desk jobs, lifting, manual labour)

• Post-surgical stiffness or rehabilitation

• Sports-related injuries (e.g., tennis, baseball, swimming)

• Tension headaches or neck pain linked to shoulder tightness

In Surrey, where many residents work at computers, drive long distances, or engage in active jobs, shoulder issues are common. IMS provides a targeted, effective way to address both the pain and its underlying cause.

IMS vs. Other Treatments for Shoulder Pain

Here’s how IMS compares to other common shoulder treatments:

Treatment TypeFocusProsConsIMSMuscle & nerve tensionDeep, targeted, long-lasting reliefMay cause temporary sorenessMassage TherapyMuscle relaxationGood for surface-level tension & relaxationMay not reach deep trigger pointsManual PhysiotherapyJoint & muscle mobilizationEffective for joint restrictionsMay not address nerve-related tightnessMedicationPain reliefQuick symptom reliefDoesn’t treat root cause

IMS is often used in combination with these treatments for a more complete recovery plan.

Choosing the Right Clinic for IMS in Surrey

Not all physiotherapy clinics offer IMS, and it requires specialized training. If you’re looking for IMS treatment in Surrey, BC, make sure the clinic:

• Has licensed physiotherapists certified in IMS/dry needling

• Offers comprehensive assessment and personalized care plans

• Integrates IMS with exercise and manual therapy for better results

At Surge Wellness, our trained physiotherapists use IMS as part of an integrated approach to help patients relieve pain and regain mobility in their shoulders and beyond.

Final Thoughts

Shoulder pain can be frustrating, especially when it limits your movement or daily activities. Whether you’re an office worker dealing with postural strain or an athlete recovering from injury, IMS offers a powerful, targeted way to release tight muscles, reduce nerve irritation, and restore mobility.

If you live in Surrey, BC, and are struggling with ongoing shoulder pain, consider booking an assessment with a physiotherapist trained in IMS. It could be the missing piece in your recovery.

Ready to move better and feel better? Book your IMS physiotherapy session at Surge Wellness in Surrey today.