Chiropractic Adjustments in Carrollton, TX

What is a Chiropractic Adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is a technique that involves applying a controlled force to a certain joint in your extremities or spine. The main goal here is to restore your normal movement where restrictions or stiffness are present. For instance, if your joint isn’t moving the way it should be, it can cause your surrounding muscles to tighten, and the nerves can get irritated. Your everyday movements also become harder or painful.

The adjustment can address such mechanical problems directly. But it doesn’t involve cracking your bones or forcing anything. Rather, it’s about unstucking your joint, so it moves again. In that way, your body can heal and function without interference.

How Chiropractic Adjustments are Performed by Dr. Hoa Nguyen at Dallas Spine Center?

Chiropractic adjustments are not just one single method. Dr. Nguyen uses different methods depending on the patient’s needs. He matches the technique to your body’s needs and your comfort level.

For instance, he uses the ProAdjuster SRT for personal injury cases, especially after car accidents. This technique uses a computerized instrument that delivers precise, gentle adjustments without the manual force used in a traditional adjustment. It’s chosen because it’s comfortable for the patient and offers more accurate results when it’s used to treat acute injuries where your body is inflamed and sensitive.

If you need routine care, Dr. Nguyen uses drop table adjustments and diversified technique. Diversified technique is the classic method that you can picture when you hear chiropractic. It involves a quick, controlled thrust to a certain joint. The drop table, on the other hand, uses a segmented table that drops as the adjustment is performed. It reduces the force and makes the experience gentler.

We examine you first before performing any adjustments. Dr. Nguyen evaluates your joints that are not moving properly. He also checks for any contraindications and explains what he has found before recommending anything. Doing it this way will help you know what is happening during your treatment before it happens. You can also ask questions at any point.

What Chiropractic Adjustments Session Feel Like?

Here is what a typical visit looks like, from your first consultation to any additional therapies that may be part of your plan:

• 1Consultation and examination: During your first visit, Dr. Nguyen takes your thorough medical history. He also reviews your previous imaging and starts examining you. If you don’t have previous X-rays, he can take them using our X-ray technology.
• 2Treatment plan: Once he identifies the real cause of your pain or restriction, he’ll explain his recommended plan and answer all your questions.
• 3Adjustment: You may feel movement, gentle pressure, or hear a popping sound while our chiropractor adjusts your body. But it depends on the technique used. Don’t worry about the cracking sound that you hear, as it just indicates gas is being released from your joint. But not all adjustments produce this sound. It’s also not an indication that the treatment is working.
• 4Additional therapies if necessary: Your plan may include conservative therapies, like electrical muscle stimulation, red light therapy, or manual therapy. These therapies may be integrated, especially in the early stage of your care.

The typical sessions are short and focused. Most adjustments can take a few minutes once you’re on the table. But a full visit with additional therapies lasts between 20 minutes and 30 minutes.

Who Chiropractic Adjustments Are For and Who Should Avoid Them?

Chiropractic adjustments are ideal if you’re dealing with joint stiffness, restricted movement, muscle tension, or pain caused by mechanical problems in your spine or extremities. You can also be a good candidate if you wish to address these issues without surgery and drugs.

But chiropractic adjustments are not designed for everyone. Dr. Nguyen will not carry out an adjustment if you suffer from ligament instability. Instability means the joint is too unstable for Dr. Nguyen to manipulate. Thus, if he adjusts you, it could only cause more harm than good. This can be identified during specific tests or imaging.

Other warnings include severe osteoporosis, certain fractures, spinal infections, or certain vascular conditions. If you have any of these conditions, Dr. Nguyen will recommend a different approach, or he’ll refer you out to an appropriate specialist.

Chiropractic Adjustments Can Help Certain Conditions

Chiropractic adjustments can be a part of your treatment plan for a range of musculoskeletal conditions. These include the following:

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Sciatica and pinched nerve
• Herniated disc
• Degenerative disc disease
• Whiplash
• Shoulder pain and knee pain
• Sports injuries
• Numbness and tingling

If your issues are related to your disc, adjustments may be combined with spinal decompression to address joint restriction and the disc pressure causing irritation of your nerves.

What to Expect After Chiropractic Adjustments and How Often You’ll Need Care

Most of our patients tell Dr. Nguyen they feel more relaxed or less stiff after an adjustment. Some of them notice the difference immediately. Others, however, feel the improvement over the next day or two as their bodies adjust to the restored movement.

You might also feel mild muscle soreness or tenderness, which is similar to how you feel after working out. It’s just temporary, and it’ll resolve in 24 hours to 48 hours. Some people reported feeling tired or deeply relaxed after treatment. These are all normal responses as your body recalibrates.

Many of our patients return to their normal activities after every treatment unless Dr. Nguyen recommends something else. But the recommendation is still based on your condition.

The number of visits you need will depend on your condition, goals, and how your body responds to each treatment. The typical duration of treatment plans here at Dallas Spine Center runs around two months. But regular assessments are done to monitor your progress. The frequency can be shortened if you’re improving as expected. If you’re not improving, there are three options. Dr. Nguyen may recommend additional imaging to find out what’s going on, adjust your treatment approach, or refer you out for a second opinion.

If you feel better after completing the initial plan, you may transition to maintenance care. It could mean fewer visits, like every few months or once a year. It depends on what’s comfortable and functional for you.

What Our Patients Tell Us

Many of our patients ask Dr. Nguyen if chiropractic adjustments are painful. They’re not painful because the technique used in your case is based on your current condition, severity, and comfort level. Thus, if you’re nervous or sensitive, he’ll use a gentler technique, like ProAdjuster or a drop table.

You may also wonder whether it should make a popping sound. This sound isn’t necessary for the treatment to be effective. But some techniques do produce a cracking sound while others don’t. The most important thing here is to restore your normal joint motion.

People also worry whether or not they have to do it forever. It’s a misconception. Dr. Nguyen’s approach is based on your goal and the time you have. Most treatment plans can last for two months. The main goal here is to help you get better so you can transition to maintenance or be released from care entirely. Many of our patients choose to continue their adjustments but only for occasional visits because they want to maintain the results. However, this is your choice, and it’s not a requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions