GUNN IMS CERTIFICATION COURSE
UBC Faculty of Medicine Certification Course
for Physicians and Physiotherapists
The UBC Gunn IMS certification course is an intramuscular dry needling course that goes beyond trigger point dry needling. Gunn IMS is a total whole body system for the diagnosis and treatment of persistent myofascial pain syndromes, including muscle, joint, tendon, bursal, fascial, neural and biomechanical problems. The approach is based on a neuropathic dysfunction model of musculoskeletal dysfunction developed by Dr C. Chan Gunn and described in his book “The Gunn Approach to the Treatment of Chronic Pain”. His conceptual framework explains patterns of physical findings commonly seen in persistent myofascial pain syndromes and has been commended by many physicians practising in the field of chronic pain including John D. Loeser, Stephen Butler and Anders E. Sola. Patrick D. Wall describes Dr Gunn’s approach as being, “in the best of the traditions of classical medicine”.
Dr Gunn has endowed UBC with the responsibility for the ongoing teaching of the Gunn IMS model of treatment – a teaching program that has run continuously since 1994. Since 2011, the Gunn IMS Program has been part of the UBC Faculty of Medicine and is now located in the Chan Gunn Pavilion on the UBC Vancouver campus.
The program’s focus is on the safe, effective management of musculoskeletal problems rooted in neuropathic dysfunction, using intramuscular dry needling and related postural and rehabilitative concepts. The application of the model requires an advanced level of clinical reasoning and pattern recognition, mature clinical judgement, extensive anatomical knowledge and precise palpation skills. For this reason, the prerequisites for attending this course include a minimum of four years experience treating musculoskeletal conditions.
Dr Gunn has endowed UBC with the responsibility for the ongoing teaching of the Gunn IMS model of treatment – a teaching program that has run continuously since 1994. Since 2011, the Gunn IMS Program has been part of the UBC Faculty of Medicine and is now located in the Chan Gunn Pavilion on the UBC Vancouver campus.
The program’s focus is on the safe, effective management of musculoskeletal problems rooted in neuropathic dysfunction, using intramuscular dry needling and related postural and rehabilitative concepts. The application of the model requires an advanced level of clinical reasoning and pattern recognition, mature clinical judgement, extensive anatomical knowledge and precise palpation skills. For this reason, the prerequisites for attending this course include a minimum of four years experience treating musculoskeletal conditions.
Format
Gunn IMS training consists of three parts:
On successful completion of all parts of the program, participants will be awarded certification in UBC Gunn IMS by the UBC Faculty of Medicine. The course will cover education regarding Dr Gunn’s neuropathic model of myofascial pain syndromes, the effects of dry needling, and contraindications and safety considerations for dry needling (including avoiding serious complications). You will learn how to conduct and interpret an assessment based on the neuropathic model to determine the cause of myofascial pain syndromes, which can then be used to devise a treatment plan using the Gunn IMS model. You will also learn to safely and effectively dry needle muscles of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine; shoulder and pelvic girdles; upper and lower limbs as well as muscles surrounding the TMJ. As the course progresses you will improve your clinical reasoning related to the application of the neuropathic model of treatment.
- Part 1 - self-paced and completed online - includes lecture material, demonstration of assessment techniques, and assessment components (anatomy exam, theory exam and case presentation).
- Part 2 - includes two in-person practical training days, a current UBC Gunn IMS course manual, and access to the UBC Gunn IMS Part 2 Surface Anatomy videos to help you prepare for your Part 2 in-person training.
- Part 3 - two further in-person practical training days (held approximately six to twelve weeks after Part 2), and access to the UBC Gunn IMS Part 3 Surface Anatomy videos to help you prepare for your Part 3 in-person training.
On successful completion of all parts of the program, participants will be awarded certification in UBC Gunn IMS by the UBC Faculty of Medicine. The course will cover education regarding Dr Gunn’s neuropathic model of myofascial pain syndromes, the effects of dry needling, and contraindications and safety considerations for dry needling (including avoiding serious complications). You will learn how to conduct and interpret an assessment based on the neuropathic model to determine the cause of myofascial pain syndromes, which can then be used to devise a treatment plan using the Gunn IMS model. You will also learn to safely and effectively dry needle muscles of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine; shoulder and pelvic girdles; upper and lower limbs as well as muscles surrounding the TMJ. As the course progresses you will improve your clinical reasoning related to the application of the neuropathic model of treatment.
Prerequisites and Requirements
Please note: UBC Gunn IMS training is only available to physicians and highly-trained physiotherapists who meet prerequisites.
Physicians and physiotherapists wishing to register for the UBC Gunn IMS course must provide the following as part of their registration application:
1. Copy of your degree
2. Proof of registration with your local licensing body (physiotherapy or medicine)
3. Proof of malpractice insurance up to $3 million per occurrence, EFFECTIVE IN CANADA
PHYSIOTHERAPISTS MUST ALSO PROVIDE #4 AND #5 (not required from physicians):
4. Professional experience: Proof of 4 years musculoskeletal and/or neuromuscular physiotherapy clinical experience treating patients post-licensure (i.e., not including student placements)
Please provide a letter from your employer(s) confirming this clinical experience. Letters must come directly from the employer with whom you gained this clinical experience. References need to be on the workplace letterhead, signed by the workplace owner/director/supervisor; must state that the caseload was musculoskeletal or neurological, and must contain the typical number of weekly hours worked and employment start and end dates (if applicable).
Note: the 4-year period must be 4 years full time clinical experience. For example, 4 years part time will not meet the prerequisite 4 years clinical experience.
1. Copy of your degree
2. Proof of registration with your local licensing body (physiotherapy or medicine)
3. Proof of malpractice insurance up to $3 million per occurrence, EFFECTIVE IN CANADA
PHYSIOTHERAPISTS MUST ALSO PROVIDE #4 AND #5 (not required from physicians):
4. Professional experience: Proof of 4 years musculoskeletal and/or neuromuscular physiotherapy clinical experience treating patients post-licensure (i.e., not including student placements)
Please provide a letter from your employer(s) confirming this clinical experience. Letters must come directly from the employer with whom you gained this clinical experience. References need to be on the workplace letterhead, signed by the workplace owner/director/supervisor; must state that the caseload was musculoskeletal or neurological, and must contain the typical number of weekly hours worked and employment start and end dates (if applicable).
Note: the 4-year period must be 4 years full time clinical experience. For example, 4 years part time will not meet the prerequisite 4 years clinical experience.
5. ONE of the following (a. or b.):
a. Eligible dry needling training
b. Eligible post-graduate musculoskeletal training
a. Eligible dry needling training
b. Eligible post-graduate musculoskeletal training
Note to Female Participants
Pregnancy is a contraindication for IMS. If you are pregnant, you may not attend the in-person training components of the certification course (Parts 2 and 3). This is because you will be needled by other course participants during this part of your training.
Registration Procedure
1. Please use the online application form to send us all of your required documentation.
2. Please prepare your documents well in advance of the course date to ensure your participation and facilitate a smooth registration process.
3. Please note that the cut-off date for registration is usually six weeks before the start of a course. If you are within this time period please email [email protected] to find out if applications are still being accepted.
4. The course components consist of theory, physical examination and needle practice labs in which you will be a needle subject; the latter facilitates experiential learning of the physical and autonomic effects of needling. All participants will be expected to be needled and to be subjected to detailed neuro- and musculoskeletal examination. Should you be recovering from surgery, physical trauma, or be engaged in litigation following trauma of any kind you must delay participation on this course until all issues have been resolved. Needling is contraindicated in the presence of acute trauma or within 3 to 6 months following major surgery.
5. All course participants must ensure that their inoculations for Hepatitis B and A are current and you will be required to sign a course waiver. The waiver will be sent to you along with your reminder to pay the balance of your fees approximately one month before the course start date. Your signed waiver MUST be received before the start of the course.
2. Please prepare your documents well in advance of the course date to ensure your participation and facilitate a smooth registration process.
3. Please note that the cut-off date for registration is usually six weeks before the start of a course. If you are within this time period please email [email protected] to find out if applications are still being accepted.
4. The course components consist of theory, physical examination and needle practice labs in which you will be a needle subject; the latter facilitates experiential learning of the physical and autonomic effects of needling. All participants will be expected to be needled and to be subjected to detailed neuro- and musculoskeletal examination. Should you be recovering from surgery, physical trauma, or be engaged in litigation following trauma of any kind you must delay participation on this course until all issues have been resolved. Needling is contraindicated in the presence of acute trauma or within 3 to 6 months following major surgery.
5. All course participants must ensure that their inoculations for Hepatitis B and A are current and you will be required to sign a course waiver. The waiver will be sent to you along with your reminder to pay the balance of your fees approximately one month before the course start date. Your signed waiver MUST be received before the start of the course.
Fees and Registration
Student fees are CAD$1225 for Part 1 (online), CAD$1250 for Part 2 (2-day in-person course), and CAD$1250 for Part 3 (2-day in-person course).
There is no GST/HST charged for Gunn IMS courses. Completion of all parts is required before certification is provided.
Once your application is accepted, full payment for your first course is due to hold your place on the course.
Cancellation Policy:
There is no GST/HST charged for Gunn IMS courses. Completion of all parts is required before certification is provided.
Once your application is accepted, full payment for your first course is due to hold your place on the course.
Cancellation Policy:
- No refunds or transfers, unless cancellation is received in writing to [email protected] by 6 weeks prior to course date. A $50 cancellation fee will apply if cancellations are made within 6 weeks prior to the course date. No cancellation fee will apply if cancellations are made more than 6 weeks prior to the course date.
- UBC GUNN IMS will not be responsible for any damages, including costs incurred for scheduled travel or accommodation, or denial of refund, related to cancellation of attendance at any scheduled GUNN IMS courses that arise because the registrant is unable to travel to the event/conference due to a travel ban or the registrant chooses not to attend due to potential health concerns related to COVID-19. Registrants are encouraged to obtain comprehensive travel insurance to provide protection in these circumstances. Registrants who cancel in accordance with the terms of their event/conference registration will receive a refund as set out in the registration contract.
- Cancellations by the organizers: the Division of Continuing Professional Development reserves the right to cancel an educational program fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the course date. Each registrant will be notified by email, followed by a full refund. The University of British Columbia is not responsible for any costs, including, but not limited to, airline or hotel penalties.
- No transfers to another course site, unless you request in writing to [email protected] 30 days before the course date. If request is done after 30 days before the start date of your course, you will be required to re-register to the equivalent course. Once payment for the new site has been received, your initial registration will be cancelled and payment will be refunded, less a $50 handling charge.
Certification
To receive certification, students must:
- pass both anatomy and theory written exams and a case study submission/presentation
- be deemed by course instructors to have safe and accurate needling technique
Additional details regarding the Part 1 online component of select courses:
- pass both anatomy and theory written exams and a case study submission/presentation
- be deemed by course instructors to have safe and accurate needling technique
Additional details regarding the Part 1 online component of select courses:
- It is recommended that students must have viewed all available teaching sections of Part 1 before attending Part 2 and 3, i.e. viewed the lectures etc.
- Part 1 also includes three assessment components: the anatomy exam, the theory exam and a case study submission/presentation. It is preferred that all students have attempted both exams before attending Part 2 and have submitted and presented their case study. If they fail any of these assessment components, they will have a second chance to complete them successfully. They will not receive certification until they have successfully completed these assessment components, but they may attend Part 2 (and Part 3).
- It is recommended that participants complete the program within one year once they have commenced Part 1.
