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
Credentialling - Levels 1 and 2
Credentialling with UBC Gunn IMS allows you to meet the requirements of your regulatory body to practice dry needling.
Level 1 – Foundations
- Teaches the Gunn IMS model and less technically challenging dry needling points
Level 2 – Advanced
- Teaches more advanced neuropathic assessment, clinical reasoning and more difficult dry needling points.
- Level 2 requires completion of Level 1.
Certification (CGIMS) - Level 3
- Certification in UBC Gunn IMS awarded by the UBC Faculty of Medicine (CGIMS) -
- Includes completion of a case study and high proficiency dry needling points.
- Level 3 requires completion of Levels 1 and 2.
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.
On successful completion of Levels 1 and 2, participants will meet the requirements of their regulatory body to practice dry needling.
On successful completion of Level 3, participants will be awarded certification in UBC Gunn IMS by the UBC Faculty of Medicine.
On successful completion of Levels 1 and 2, participants will meet the requirements of their regulatory body to practice dry needling.
On successful completion of Level 3, participants will be awarded certification in UBC Gunn IMS by the UBC Faculty of Medicine.
Prerequisites and Requirements
Please note: UBC Gunn IMS training is only available to physicians and physiotherapists .
Physicians and physiotherapists wishing to register for the UBC Gunn IMS course will be asked to provide:
1. Proof of registration with their local licensing body (physiotherapy or medicine).
2. Proof of malpractice insurance up to $3 million per occurrence, EFFECTIVE IN THE COURSE LOCATION.
1. Proof of registration with their local licensing body (physiotherapy or medicine).
2. Proof of malpractice insurance up to $3 million per occurrence, EFFECTIVE IN THE COURSE LOCATION.
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 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.
3. 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.
4. All course participants must ensure that their vaccinations 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 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.
3. 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.
4. All course participants must ensure that their vaccinations 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
Course Fees
- Levels 1 and 2 - CAD$2500 (for both levels combined) . Both levels include both online learning material and a 2-day in-person course - 4 days total for Levels 1 and 2),
- Level 3 - CAD$1000 for Part 3 (1.5-day in-person course).
There is no GST/HST charged for Gunn IMS courses.
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 Faculty of Medicine 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 credentialling, students must:
- pass both anatomy and theory written exams
- be deemed by course instructors to have safe and accurate needling technique
Additional details regarding the online component of courses:
- pass both anatomy and theory written exams
- be deemed by course instructors to have safe and accurate needling technique
Additional details regarding the online component of courses:
- It is recommended that students have viewed all online teaching materials relevant to the level they are attending prior to the related in-person teaching days.
- Credentialling includes two assessment components - an anatomy exam and a theory exam. It is preferred that students have attempted both exams before attending the in-person part of Level 1. If they do not pass any of these assessment components, they will have a second chance to complete them successfully. They will not receive credentialing until they have successfully completed these assessment components, but they may attend Level 1 (and Level 2).
- Certification (Level 3) includes a case study submission/presentation.
- It is recommended that participants complete the credentialing program within one year once they have commenced Level 1.