IMS and Dry Needling in Burnaby and Vancouver
IMS and dry needling are available within physiotherapy appointments at Phoenix Rehab when your assessment supports them.
Your physiotherapist checks whether needling fits your symptoms, comfort level, health history, and rehab goals before including it in care.
A physiotherapy option for selected muscle and pain presentations
Intramuscular stimulation, often shortened to IMS, and dry needling both use thin, sterile needles as part of physiotherapy care. They are most often discussed when muscle tension, sensitivity, pain, or movement limits appear connected to the way a muscle or nerve-related area is behaving.
At Phoenix Rehab, needling is not chosen from a menu before assessment. Your physiotherapist first reviews your symptoms, irritability, medical history, movement, strength, daily demands, and goals. If needling may fit, it can sit beside education, exercise, manual therapy, pacing advice, and a plan for what to monitor between visits.
Dry needling and IMS are different from acupuncture. Acupuncture at Phoenix Rehab is delivered by the acupuncture and Chinese Medicine team, while IMS and dry needling are delivered by our physiotherapists within physiotherapy care.
Assessment first
Needling is considered only after your physiotherapist checks the pattern, goals, precautions, and whether another starting point would make more sense.
Part of a plan
The goal is not the needle by itself. Care stays connected to movement, loading, home guidance, and reassessment.
Comfort and consent
Your provider explains what to expect, checks your comfort, and can pause or change the plan if it does not feel right.
Symptoms IMS or dry needling may support
Needling may be one option for selected physiotherapy presentations. Your provider will confirm whether it fits your assessment.
Neck and shoulder tension
Needling may be considered when neck or shoulder muscle sensitivity affects movement, work posture, sleep, or exercise tolerance.
Back, hip, or glute pain
IMS or dry needling may fit some plans when muscle guarding or sensitivity is part of the broader back, hip, or pelvic picture.
Headache-related muscle tension
Some headaches have a neck, jaw, or shoulder component. Physiotherapy assessment helps decide whether needling belongs in that plan.
Sports and training overload
Needling may support a rehab plan when a sport or gym load has left a muscle area reactive and hard to settle.
Persistent pain presentations
For longer-lasting symptoms, needling is considered only as one piece of a plan that also tracks pacing, strength, sleep, and function.
Post-accident stiffness
After a crash, needling may be discussed when the claim pathway, symptoms, and physiotherapy assessment support it.
What happens during an IMS or dry needling physiotherapy visit
The appointment starts with physiotherapy assessment, then your provider decides with you whether needling is appropriate that day.
01
History and movement check
Your physiotherapist asks about your symptoms, health history, goals, activity demands, and what has or has not helped so far.
02
Fit and precautions
Your provider explains why needling may or may not fit, checks comfort and precautions, and confirms the treatment area with you.
03
Needling as one part
If used, thin sterile needles are placed in selected areas. Sensations can vary, and you can ask to pause at any time.
04
Aftercare and next steps
You leave with guidance for movement, soreness expectations, exercise, activity pacing, and what changes to track before follow-up.
Delivered by Phoenix Rehab physiotherapists
Ali Shafiei provides IMS and Reshma Mehta provides dry needling. Both are physiotherapists at Phoenix Rehab.
Ali Shafiei
Physiotherapist - IMS
Ali Shafiei provides IMS within physiotherapy care when your assessment, comfort level, and treatment goals support it.
Reshma Mehta
Physiotherapist - Dry Needling
Reshma Mehta provides dry needling within physiotherapy care and keeps the plan connected to movement, function, and home guidance.
How we decide if needling fits
Needling is not used for every painful area and is not required for physiotherapy to be useful. Your physiotherapist may recommend starting with education, exercise, manual therapy, load changes, or symptom pacing first, especially if symptoms are highly irritable or the goal is better served another way.
If IMS or dry needling is used, the plan still needs measurable signs. Those may include range of motion, strength, activity tolerance, sleep comfort, work tasks, sport response, or whether the same symptoms keep returning between visits.
Coverage questions
IMS and dry needling are delivered within physiotherapy appointments. Extended health, ICBC, WorkSafeBC, and other coverage questions depend on your plan, claim details, provider rules, and eligibility.
Our front desk can help you check direct-billing details before your appointment when you bring your policy or claim information.
IMS and dry needling FAQ
Does IMS or dry needling hurt?
It can feel achy, twitchy, sharp, or intense in a sensitive area, but it should stay tolerable. Your physiotherapist can adjust the plan and you can ask to pause.
Are IMS and dry needling the same thing?
They are related needling approaches used in physiotherapy, but the reasoning and training pathways can differ. Your provider will explain which approach they use and why it may fit your assessment.
How is dry needling different from acupuncture?
Dry needling and IMS are delivered within physiotherapy care for musculoskeletal assessment findings. Acupuncture is a separate service delivered by the acupuncture and Chinese Medicine team.
How many visits will I need?
There is no fixed number. Your physiotherapist will usually start with an assessment, discuss a plan, and reassess based on comfort, movement, and function.
Is IMS or dry needling covered by insurance?
Coverage depends on your physiotherapy benefits, direct-billing setup, claim pathway, and plan rules. The front desk can help check details before you book or arrive.
What should I do after needling?
Your physiotherapist will explain soreness expectations, activity guidance, exercises, and what symptoms to monitor. Mild temporary soreness can happen for some people.
Plan Related Care
Use these pages to understand how IMS and dry needling connect with physiotherapy, acupuncture, and rehab planning.
Book a physiotherapy visit for IMS or dry needling
Choose a physiotherapy appointment and mention IMS or dry needling if you want to know whether it fits your assessment.