Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a therapeutic method used to reduce or relieve pain by inserting very fine needles through the skin. “Classical” acupuncture was developed in China as one component of Traditional Chinese Medicine which aims to balance energy flow in the body. Needles inserted along the meridians of energy flow and not necessarily near the injury or pain site. “Anatomical” Acupuncture has emerged in Europe and North America in recent years as the scientific and medical communities began to study and understand the benefits of Acupuncture. A treatment with Anatomical Acupuncture usually involves inserting the needles near the injury or tissues associated with the injury.

Dry Needling: is a technique that uses a thin needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points, muscular, and connective tissue. It is designed to address muscular and nerve dysfunctions. The approach of the Dry Needling practitioner is to release taut bands of soft tissue by needling the associated trigger points.

IMS: Intramuscular Stimulation (sometimes also called Functional Dry Needling) involves inserting a tiny monofilament needle into a muscle in order to release shortened bands of muscles tissue and decrease trigger point activity. Dry needling is an effective treatment for acute and chronic pain, rehabilitation from injury, and even injury prevention. Since treatment is directed at the trigger point of the muscle, there is often an associated “twitch” of the muscle during an IMS treatment. Finely engineered needles are used in Canadian & Asian techniques to provide relief of tightness and pain.