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The chiropractic adjustment is a common treatment that addresses restrictions in the spine and joints, which can relieve pain, improve range of motion, and promote proper function in the joint and surrounding tissues. 

It involves applying a hands-on (usually), controlled, and specific force to a joint that isn't moving properly. This can help reduce pain, improve mobility and function, and support your body’s natural ability to heal. The goal is to restore proper motion and balance, helping you to feel your best and maintain an active, healthy lifestyle. Adjustment or manipulation of a joint changes the pressure within the joint, sometimes leading to the release of a harmless gas bubble. This can cause the classic clicking or popping sound, same as when you “crack” your knuckles. 

We have a variety of methods to adjust at Johnson Chiropractic Clinic. Our doctors will work with you to make sure you are treated with the best method for your preferences and needs. The methods we use include:

• Manual manipulation, often high velocity-low amplitude (HVLA, "quick but gentle"):  these are the doctor uses their hands to put a controlled push into the joint, some joints may make a "popping" noise.

• Instrument assisted: a small, mechanical device is used to create a gentle impulse in the joint to trigger stimulation of the nervous system, allowing release and relief. 

• Flexion-distraction: the table you are on bends at the waist while gentle pressure is applied to the low back to stretch and mobilize the joints.

• Drop table: uses a specially designed table with moving sections, or “drop pieces.” When the chiropractor puts a quick, targeted force to a specific area of your spine or pelvis, that section of the table drops slightly—just a small, controlled movement. The drop helps assist the adjustment with minimal force and allows your body to respond naturally. It’s often used for the lower back and pelvis and is comfortable, safe, and especially helpful for patients who prefer a lighter approach or who may have difficulty with traditional twisting-style adjustments.

• Mobilization: the doctor will gently move or stretch your joint in a direction it is supposed to move.  Some joints or conditions don't respond well to or are too sensitive for the light but quick movements of HVLA or drop table adjustments. 

Reference: 

American Chiropractic Association. (n.d.). Chiropractic Frequently Asked Questions. ACA Today. Retrieved 2025, from https://www.acatoday.org/news-publications/newsroom/chiropractic-frequently-asked-questions/

A common question we receive is: What’s the difference between acupuncture and dry needling?

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While both use the same type of fine, sterile needles and share some overlap in technique, their approach and philosophy differ. Acupuncture is a technique that involves stimulating specific points on the body using very thin needles—about the size of a human hair—or other methods. Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture views the body as an interconnected energy system. According to TCM theory, imbalances in the body’s energy—or qi—can lead to pain, illness, or dysfunction. By stimulating specific acupuncture points, the treatment aims to restore balance, support the body’s natural healing processes, and improve overall function. Most patients find acupuncture to be relaxing, and many even fall asleep during treatment. It is used to address a wide range of conditions, including migraines, sports injuries, chronic pain, and certain autoimmune disorders.

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Dry needling is based on a modern anatomical and neurological understanding of the body. It targets myofascial trigger points, irritated nerves, and injured or tight muscles to reduce pain and restore movement. The technique may involve manipulating the needle slightly to elicit a twitch response or stimulate tissue healing. Dry needling is often used for conditions such as muscle tightness, sprains, strains, and sports-related injuries.

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Whether we use acupuncture or dry needling, both approaches are believed to activate the body’s natural pain-relief mechanisms. Needle stimulation can prompt the release of endorphins, enkephalins, and other neurotransmitters, while also engaging the nervous system to promote healing and restore function.
 

This form of healing has been around for centuries. While commonly used for its benefit of immediate relaxation, it can also have lasting benefits of reduced stress, anxiety, exhaustion, and toxins in muscles. This promotes improved energy and oxygenation of tissues which also speeds the recovery of pulled muscles or sprained ligaments Other benefits include easing the stress resulting from childbearing or repetitive motion at home or work. The big clinical improvements we see are often improved posture, range of motion, joint flexibility, and lower blood pressure.

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As of August 2025, massage therapy is temporarily unavailable at our clinic.  For now we're happy to refer to a local provider for this service and hope to provide it in-house again shortly.

Our doctors often prescribe exercises and/or stretches, specific to your condition, to do at home. Pain and injury can affect our movement in many ways, so we can plan strengthening and mobility exercises to address these biomechanic changes. By strengthening muscles, we increase their capacity, which helps them both relax and do their job to support the body. It also increases blood flow, can reduce pain, and keeps you able to do the activities you love better, longer, and with reduced risk of injury! The best current research is clear that the care we provide gets the best results when paired with consistent rehab and exercises for the best long term outcome.

While it’s been around for over 5,000 years, this therapy has gained popularity in recent decades in the manual therapy world. You may have seen many high profile athletes, such as Michael Phelps, with the distinctive reddish circles it can leave (don’t worry— they go away!). Cupping uses suction applied to an area which increases blood flow. This promotes reduced inflammation and increased relaxation by encouraging healing and releasing tension in the affected areas. It can help with various types of pain including muscle soreness, joint discomfort, and chronic pain. Schedule with Dr. Nelson to see how this therapy could help you.

IASTM, or Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, is a technique used to treat muscle and soft tissue injuries. It involves using specialized instruments to “scrape” the skin, which helps reduce tension from scar tissue, improve blood flow, and promote tissue healing. This technique is particularly effective for addressing chronic injuries, tight muscles, and conditions like tendonitis or plantar fasciitis. It excels at restoring mobility and reducing pain over time. Many patients find that IASTM helps to improve flexibility, relieve muscle tension, and speed up the recovery process, making it a valuable tool in rehabilitation and injury prevention.

The old adage "we are what we eat" has a lot of merit. The doctors can work with you to identify strengths and weaknesses in your nutrition.  They’ll create a plan for how to care for your body by what you fuel it with. They can also discuss options for supplements that may be helpful to support your unique activities, immune system, active lifestyle, bones, and more. We provide access to the highest quality supplements that have been rigorously tested for efficacy, purity, and content.

One of the commonly recommended therapies at Johnson Chiropractic is Electro-Muscle Stimulation. This form of therapy uses 2-4 sticky pads on an area of soft tissue, usually muscles, to help with pain management by sending a small amount of electrical current to the tissue underneath the skin. This gentle current level is controlled by you and is easily adjusted up or down during your therapy which usually lasts 10-15 minutes. This electrical current can also help reduce spasms, swelling, and inflammation. Generally, patients feel a tingling sensation during this therapy. Depending on the location of the pads, you might sit in a chair or lay on your stomach.
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves on soft tissue injuries. This form of therapy is administered by a staff member who will first apply ultrasound gel on your skin and then gently make small, slow circles on your skin at the location of the injury for 5-10 minutes. The sound vibrations create a heat response in tissues deep below the surface which help to break down calcium and hard tissue accumulations. Some patients don’t feel anything. Others feel a relaxing sensation below the surface of the skin.

Some conditions can have their roots in structural imbalances in your feet which can lead to issues throughout the body. This can manifest as chronic low back pain, plantar fasciitis, overpronation, knee pain, hip pain, sciatica, or achilles tendinitis.  While some patients respond to strengthening of the feet and hips alone, others may require a structural change from the foundation.  An orthotic that has been custom made to your foot allows a more precise tool to address the biomechanics of your feet. Ask our doctors if this solution is right for your case!