Dry Needling in Mackay | Align Health Co.
Targeted Muscular Treatment for Pain and Movement Restriction
Dry Needling in Mackay | Align Health Co.
Targeted Muscular Treatment for Pain and Movement Restriction
Dry needling is a technique our chiropractors use to address muscle tightness, trigger points, and movement restrictions that often contribute to ongoing pain and dysfunction. Using fine, sterile needles inserted into specific areas of muscle, this approach targets the root of muscular tension rather than just treating surface-level symptoms.
At Align Health Co, dry needling is integrated into your chiropractic care when clinically appropriate. It’s particularly effective for people dealing with chronic pain, sports injuries, workplace strain, and conditions that haven’t responded well to other treatments.
Our chiropractors have advanced training in dry needling techniques and combine this approach with spinal care and rehabilitation to achieve better long-term outcomes.
How Dry Needling Works
Dry needling targets trigger points, which are tight bands of muscle tissue that develop over time due to overuse, poor posture, injury, or repetitive strain. These trigger points restrict movement, refer pain to other areas, and prevent muscles from functioning properly.
When a needle is inserted into a trigger point, it creates a local twitch response. This stimulates blood flow to the area, releases muscle tension, and interrupts the pain cycle. The body’s natural healing response is activated, which helps restore normal muscle function.
The process involves:
- Thorough assessment to identify which muscles are contributing to your symptoms
- Precise needle placement based on your presentation
- Treatment of the underlying cause, not just where you feel pain
- Integration with chiropractic adjustments and rehabilitation exercises
For example, if you’re experiencing plantar fasciitis, we often find the calf muscle is the primary driver. By treating trigger points in the calf through dry needling, we can reduce tension on the plantar fascia and achieve better results than treating the foot alone.
This cause-focused approach is what sets clinical dry needling apart from symptom-only treatments. We’re looking at your movement patterns, muscle imbalances, and how different areas of your body influence each other.
Dry Needling & Chiropractic:
A Complementary Approach
At Align Health Co, we don’t use dry needling in isolation. It’s integrated with chiropractic care to address both muscular and joint-related dysfunction, which often produces better results than either approach alone.
Here’s why this combination works:
Chiropractic adjustments restore joint mobility and improve spinal alignment. When joints aren’t moving properly, surrounding muscles compensate and develop tightness. By addressing joint restrictions, we reduce the strain on muscles.
Dry needling targets the muscular component. Even when joint mobility is restored, tight muscles with established trigger points can pull joints back out of alignment or restrict movement. By releasing these trigger points, we allow the body to maintain the improvements gained through chiropractic care.
In practice, this means:
- A lower back adjustment becomes more effective when we’ve released tight hip flexors or gluteal muscles that were limiting pelvic movement
- Shoulder mobility improves faster when we combine thoracic adjustments with dry needling of rotator cuff and scapular muscles
- Neck pain often resolves more completely when we address both cervical joint dysfunction and trigger points in the upper trapezius and levator scapulae
This integrated approach also means we can reduce the total number of treatments needed. Rather than treating the joint repeatedly while muscles continue to pull it out of alignment, we address both components from the start.
Your chiropractor will assess which combination of techniques is most appropriate at each visit. Some appointments may focus more on spinal adjustments, others on muscular work, depending on what your body needs at that stage of recovery.
Conditions That Respond Well to Dry Needling
Dry needling can be effective for a range of musculoskeletal presentations. At Align Health Co, we commonly use it to treat:
Chronic pain conditions:
- Persistent lower back pain
- Long-standing neck and shoulder tension
- Chronic headaches with muscular involvement
- Fibromyalgia-related muscle pain
Acute and sports injuries:
- Muscle strains and tears
- Hamstring, calf, and quadriceps injuries
- Rotator cuff dysfunction
- Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
- Achilles tendon problems
Referred pain patterns:
- Sciatica with associated muscular tension
- Hip pain stemming from gluteal trigger points
- Shoulder pain referred from neck muscles
- TMJ pain with associated jaw and neck tension
Specific conditions:
- Frozen shoulder (significant improvement often seen)
- Plantar fasciitis (treated via calf trigger points)
- IT band syndrome
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Postural dysfunction from desk work or physical labour
Workplace-related strain:
- Mining and machinery-related injuries
- Repetitive strain from trades work
- Office-based postural issues
Not everyone needs dry needling, and it’s not a standalone solution. When combined with chiropractic care and rehabilitation, it often accelerates recovery and produces more lasting results.
What to Expect During Treatment
If your chiropractor determines that dry needling is appropriate for your presentation,
here’s what typically happens:
Assessment comes first. We identify which muscles are contributing to your symptoms through movement testing and palpation. Treatment isn’t applied routinely; it’s based on what your body is showing us.
Needles are inserted into specific points. You may feel a brief pinch or ache as the needle enters the muscle. When it hits a trigger point, you’ll often feel a muscle twitch. This is normal and indicates we’ve reached the right area.
Sensation varies between people. Some find it uncomfortable but tolerable. Others barely notice it. The intensity depends on how tight the muscle is and where the trigger points are located.
Treatment typically lasts 10-20 minutes. Needles may be left in place while the muscle releases, or we may manipulate them gently to enhance the effect.
Post-treatment soreness is common. Your muscles have been worked, similar to a deep massage. This usually settles within 24-48 hours. Staying hydrated and moving gently helps recovery.
Results vary. Some people feel immediate relief. Others notice gradual improvement over several sessions.
Chronic conditions generally take longer to respond than acute injuries.
Your chiropractor will explain what to expect based on your specific presentation and adjust the approach as needed.
Dry Needling for Athletes and Performance
Athletes across all levels use dry needling as part of their training and recovery programs. At Align Health Co, we work with people competing in rugby league, basketball, netball, golf, tennis, and recreational sports.
Dry needling helps athletes by:
- Reducing muscle tightness that limits range of motion
- Addressing trigger points before they develop into injuries
- Speeding recovery between training sessions
- Improving movement quality and performance
- Managing chronic issues without relying solely on rest
For athletes returning from injury, dry needling is often integrated into rehabilitation programs to restore muscle function and prevent compensatory patterns that could lead to re-injury.
Treatment is always adapted to your training schedule. We understand the demands of competition and work with you to support performance without disrupting your program unnecessarily.
Why Choose Align Health Co for Dry Needling?
Dry needling isn’t widely offered by chiropractors in Mackay, and when it is, it’s often applied as a secondary technique rather than a core part of treatment. At Align Health Co, our chiropractors have invested significant time in advanced training and use dry needling regularly as part of comprehensive musculoskeletal care.
What sets our approach apart:
We treat the cause, not just the painful area. If your shoulder hurts, we assess your neck, thoracic spine, and scapular muscles. Treatment targets what’s driving the problem.
Dry needling is integrated with chiropractic care and rehabilitation. This combination produces better outcomes than any single approach alone.
We explain what we’re doing and why. You’ll understand which muscles we’re treating and how this fits into your overall care plan.
Treatment is always adapted to your tolerance and preferences. If you find a particular area too uncomfortable, we adjust our approach.
Our goal is clinical results, not just providing a service. We’re honest about what dry needling can and can’t achieve for your specific presentation.
As a locally-based clinic, we’ve built trust with the Mackay community through consistent, evidence-based care. People come to us because they’ve had results or have been referred by someone who has.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does dry needling hurt?
Most people describe it as uncomfortable rather than painful. You’ll feel the needle entering the skin (similar to a blood test) and may feel a deep ache or twitch when we reach a trigger point. The sensation is brief and indicates the treatment is working.
If you have a low pain tolerance or are anxious about needles, let your chiropractor know. We can adjust the intensity and work more gradually.
What's the difference between dry needling and acupuncture?
While both use fine needles, they’re completely different practices. Dry needling is based on Western medicine, anatomy, and neuromuscular research. It targets specific trigger points and tight muscle tissue to improve movement and reduce pain.
Acupuncture is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and focuses on energy flow (qi) along meridian pathways. The theoretical foundation and treatment approach are entirely different.
Our chiropractors use dry needling as part of evidence-based musculoskeletal care, always guided by physical assessment and clinical reasoning.
How is this different from getting an injection?
Dry needling uses solid filament needles with no medication. Nothing is injected. The needle itself creates the therapeutic effect by stimulating the muscle and triggering a healing response.
Who shouldn't have dry needling?
Dry needling may not be appropriate if you:
- Are pregnant (certain areas are avoided)
- Have a bleeding disorder or are on blood thinners
- Have an active infection in the treatment area
- Are immunocompromised
- Have an extreme fear of needles (we can use other techniques)
Your chiropractor will discuss any contraindications during your assessment.
How many sessions will I need?
This depends on your condition, how long you’ve had it, and how your body responds. Acute injuries may improve within 2-3 sessions. Chronic conditions often require more consistent treatment over several weeks.
We’ll give you an honest assessment based on what we’re seeing clinically. Our goal is improvement, not indefinite treatment.
How many appointments will I need?
This depends entirely on your condition, how long you’ve had it, and how your body responds to treatment. Some people feel significantly better after two or three visits. Others with chronic or complex presentations may need ongoing support.
We’re honest about what we think is realistic. Our goal isn’t to keep you coming indefinitely—it’s to help you improve to the point where you can manage independently or only need occasional maintenance care.
Can I exercise after dry needling?
Light movement is fine and often beneficial. Intense training or heavy lifting should be avoided for 24-48 hours to allow the muscles to recover. Your chiropractor will provide specific guidance based on your activity level.
Is dry needling covered by private health insurance?
Yes. If you have extras cover that includes chiropractic care, dry needling performed by a chiropractor is typically covered under that benefit. We process HICAPS claims on the spot.
Will I need dry needling at every appointment?
Not necessarily. Treatment is based on assessment findings at each visit. As your condition improves, we may reduce the frequency of dry needling or transition to other approaches.
Still have questions?
If you’d like to discuss your specific situation before booking, our team is happy to help. Give us a call on 07 4829 4364 and we’ll talk you through your options.
Ready to Find Out If Dry Needling Can Help?
The best way to determine if dry needling is appropriate for your situation is to book a chiropractic appointment. Your chiropractor will assess your condition and discuss whether this technique is likely to benefit you.
If you’d like to discuss your concerns before booking, our team is available to answer questions and help you decide on your next step.
Or call us: 07 4829 4364
Align Health Co
6 Discovery Lane, Mount Pleasant
Mackay QLD 4740