Gunn IMS

Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) is a system for the diagnosis and treatment of myofascial pain syndromes (chronic pain conditions that occur in the musculoskeletal system when there is no obvious sign of injury or inflammation). IMS is grounded in Western medical science, and has a solid foundation in its radiculopathic model of pain, which is now supported by many experts in the field. The treatment was developed by Dr. Chan Gunn in the 1970s and utilizes the thinnest implements available that are designed to penetrate deep within the muscle tissue, specifically targeting injured muscles that have contracted and become shortened from distress.

Treatment involves dry needling of the affected areas of the body without injecting any substance. The goal of treatment is to release muscle shortening, which presses on and irritates the nerve. IMS, in effect, treats the underlying neuropathic condition that causes the pain. When competently performed, IMS has a remarkable success rate, as proven by the amelioration of symptoms and signs, even for chronic back pain.

Gunn IMS Treatment at UBC Sport and Exercise Medicine

The Gunn IMS clinicians at UBC SEM are the representatives of the clinical practice arm of the UBC Gunn IMS program – the other two arms being research and teaching. UBC SEM is housed in The Chan Gunn Pavilion, named for Dr. Gunn.

Learn more about Gunn IMS here.

What does it mean to be certified in Gunn IMS (CGIMS)?

The Gunn IMS teaching program has run continuously since 1994. Since 2011, the program has been part of the UBC Faculty of Medicine and is now located in the Chan Gunn Pavilion on the UBC Vancouver campus. Our world-class instructors train only highly experienced physiotherapists and medical doctors. ​The course is coordinated by UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Continuing Professional Development Division.

  • Gunn IMS is the longest-running dry needling program in Canada – we have been teaching physicians and physiotherapists since 1994
  • Physiotherapists taking our program are only eligible for training after four years of clinical experience AND extensive post-graduate training – no other program has higher standards
  • We are the only university-accredited dry needling program in the world – since 2011 our program has been part of the Faculty of Medicine at UBC
  • You can recognise a practitioner of Gunn IMS by their use of the acronym “CGIMS”, which is your assurance that your practitioner has been Certified in Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation by completing their training either at UBC or iSTOP (the Institute for the Study and Treatment of Pain – the not-for-profit organisation responsible for teaching Gunn IMS before the teaching program was entrusted to UBC by Dr. Gunn)

We currently have two physiotherapists practicing Gunn IMS. To see our team visit here.