12/11/2025
We get asked this question a lot. What is the difference between Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) and acupuncture? Here's the basics.
Both are dry needling techniques, meaning nothing is being injected and the needle is solid. Both can help with pain relief and overlap in some other physiological responses, but their differences are much more prevalent.
Acupuncture stems from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), balancing Qi via meridians to help with such things as stress, sleep, digestive disturbances, pain, and much more. IMS is based in western medicine, targeting trigger points (muscle "knots") to help relieve tension, nerve compression, tendon pathologies, and improve muscle function.
Still curious which may be right for you? Call us today and we can point you in the right direction.