A modality of twitch obtaining intramuscular stimulation (IMS) pain relief therapy employs an EMG needle (13) having a TEFLON coated shaft, and exposed conductive tip (17) to apply micro-electrical stimulation locally, and focally to muscle motor end plate zones or regions of adjacent motor end plate zones. The electrical stimulation facilitates the elicitation of strong twitch responses from muscle fibers associated with the stimulated motor end plates, generally without requiring physical needle manipulation following the initial pin insertion. Less skill is required to effectively elicit pain relieving twitch responses, thus facilitating training of medical personnel to carry the procedure. Rapid movement between multiple treatment sites is possible allowing treatment of a larger number of afflicted muscles, and muscle areas in a single treatment session. The strength, the number of twitches obtained at the treatment sites can provide substantial relief from regional, and diffuse myo-facial pain of radiculopathic origin. In addition, since physical manipulation of the pin is generally unnecessary, patients experience less pain, less discomfort during the procedure, and the risk of repetitive stress injury to the therapist is reduced.
INTRAMUSCULAR STIMULATION THERAPY USING LOCALIZED ELECTRICAL STIMULATION