IMS Acupuncture (sometimes called DNT)

*What is IMS? Is it acupuncture or something different?

IMS is "Intra-Muscular Stimulation" and also can be called DNT "Dry Needle Therapy." We use acupuncture needles to gently release deep trigger points and chronic tight muscles. Each treatment "fixes" the area treated, but most patients need a series of treatments to get all the involved muscles/trigger points.  There are many forms of acupuncture that use similar deep needling technique, but IMS or DNT is more medically oriented, and focuses on the nerve connections and the spinal segments involved.

*Does IMS / DNT hurt?

When the acupuncture needle enters a trigger point, you will feel a deep dull ache, but it only lasts a second or so...it then "releases" and begins to soften and let go. The pain can be uncomfortable if the practitioner goes too deep too fast but Dr. Kennedy is very gentle, and his approach is respectful. You will not feel any pain you don't want to feel. Actually, most patients ask him to go deeper after the first session...they feel the improvement and want to get more results right away!  Many people remark that for the first time, it feels like someone was able to “touch” the spot that hurts.