Dry Needling & IMS in NW Calgary
Some knots don't respond to stretching or massage. Dry needling and IMS reach deep trigger points directly, resetting tight muscle bands and calming irritated nerves.
Why Patients Choose Us
The details that matter when you need expert care.
Certified in dry needling
Performed by physiotherapists with advanced biomedical dry needling certification.
Reaches what hands can't
Fine needles access deep trigger points that resist massage and stretching.
Fast, noticeable release
Many patients feel the muscle let go within one or two sessions.
Great for chronic tension
Effective for stubborn neck, shoulder, hip, and low back tightness.
Integrated with exercise
Needling opens the window; corrective exercise keeps the muscle from re-tightening.
Direct billing
Included within physiotherapy treatments covered by most extended health plans.
What is dry needling?
Dry needling uses thin, sterile filament needles — the same type used in acupuncture — inserted directly into myofascial trigger points: those taut, tender bands in muscle that refer pain, restrict motion, and just won't release. The needle elicits a brief local twitch response, after which the muscle typically relaxes, blood flow improves, and pain eases.
IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation) is a closely related, systematic approach developed for chronic pain of neuropathic origin — where irritated nerves keep muscles in a shortened, supersensitive state. IMS targets both the tight muscle bands and the deeper paraspinal muscles along the nerve root that feeds them.
Dry needling vs. acupuncture — what's the difference?
The needles look identical; the reasoning differs. Acupuncture follows Traditional Chinese Medicine principles and treats a broad range of conditions. Dry needling and IMS are grounded in Western neuroanatomy: find the dysfunctional muscle, needle it, restore normal function. At Nolan Hill we offer both — and our practitioners will honestly recommend which approach (or combination) suits your case.
What dry needling helps with
- Chronic neck and shoulder tension, including desk-posture pain
- Low back pain and hip tightness
- Tension headaches driven by trigger points
- Tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, and forearm overuse
- Sciatica-like referred pain from gluteal trigger points
- Sports injuries and persistent muscle tightness that limits training
- Plantar fasciitis and calf tightness
What to expect
Your physiotherapist identifies the trigger points contributing to your pain, cleans the area, and inserts the needle briefly into each point. You may feel a quick, deep cramp or twitch — that's the release happening. Muscles can feel pleasantly "worked out" for a day afterward. Needling is always combined with movement retraining and strengthening so the improvement holds.
Find us 7 days a week at Unit #110, 255 Nolanridge Court NW in Nolan Hill — serving all of NW Calgary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about this service.
Does dry needling hurt?
You'll feel little or nothing as the needle passes through skin. When it reaches a trigger point you may feel a brief deep ache or muscle twitch — most patients find it satisfying rather than painful, and the discomfort passes in seconds.
How is IMS different from regular dry needling?
IMS is a systematic dry needling approach for chronic, nerve-driven pain. It treats both the painful muscle bands and the spinal segment muscles along the nerve that supplies them, rather than only the local trigger point.
How will I feel after a session?
Treated muscles often feel looser immediately, with post-workout-style soreness for 24-48 hours. Gentle movement, heat, and hydration help it settle.
How many sessions are needed?
Acute trigger points may resolve in 1-3 sessions. Long-standing patterns typically need a short series combined with corrective exercise. Your physiotherapist will set expectations at your assessment.
Is dry needling covered by insurance?
Yes — dry needling is delivered within your physiotherapy treatment, which most extended health plans cover. We direct bill most major insurers.
Ready to start your recovery?
Open 7 days a week in Nolan Hill, NW Calgary — with direct billing to most insurers.
Call 587-355-3555