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What is Gonstead Chiropractic?

Chiropractic began with Daniel D. Palmer giving his first adjustment in September 1895 in Davenport, Iowa. Today, chiropractors use many methods to correct spinal misalignments, joint dysfunctions, and subluxation complexes. Many techniques are identified by the name of the person who was most instrumental in their development. One of the most advanced and scientific methods is the Gonstead System.

Dr. Gonstead developed his procedures as a result of extensive clinical research in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. These procedures were developed over many years of clinical observation and research to determine how to get sick patients well. Dr. Gonstead’s fifty-five years of continuous practice and over four million chiropractic adjustments resulted in a complete method of biomechanical analysis for use by today’s Doctors of Chiropractic.

The Gonstead System is taught in many Chiropractic schools around the world.

What to expect as a patient?

The Gonstead approach is full spine chiropractic. This means Gonstead chiropractors don’t just examine the area that hurts. They recognise that problems in one area of the spine can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body and examine the body accordingly.

Your Chiropractor is concerned with locating problem areas in the spine (and other joints) that chiropractors term “subluxation”. Chiropractors identify subluxation where there is impaired spinal or joint function with inflammation, lack of mobility and interference with normal nerve activity.

The Gonstead chiropractor aims to correct the subluxation so that the body can function normally and resume its natural healing process.

In addition to any indicated orthopaedic or neurological tests, your Gonstead chiropractor uses the following methods of analysis in your evaluation:

Your Chiropractor will thoroughly examine your presenting complaint, including your overall health and medical history. This can assist in determining whether you are a Chiropractic case.

Visualisation is a way to cross-reference all the other findings. Your Chiropractor is an expert in detecting subtle changes in your posture and movement that could indicate problems.

Your Gonstead Chiropractor will use a device called a ‘Nervoscope’ to measure skin temperature on either side of the spine. The Nervoscope detects uneven distributions of heat along the spine, indicating inflammation and nerve pressure. This instrument is guided down the length of your back and feels like two fingers gliding down each side of your spine.

Static Palpation is simply the process of feeling (or palpating) your spine in a stationary (or static) position. Your Chiropractor will assess for swelling (or oedema), tenderness, and any abnormal texture or tightness in the muscles and other tissues of your back.

This process involves feeling the spine while moving and bending it. The Chiropractor can determine how each segment moves in different directions.

Clarence Gonstead pioneered standing, full-spine X-rays. These precious tools can help determine what is wrong and where. When clinically indicated, X-rays enable your Chiropractor to visualise the entire structure of your spine. This helps evaluate posture, joint and disc integrity, and vertebral alignment and rules out any pathologies or recent fractures that may be present or contributing to the patient’s condition. These radiographs are taken in the standing, weight-bearing position.

When all this information is combined, a trained Gonstead Doctor will immediately inform you if your health problem is a Chiropractic case. If not, a referral to the appropriate health provider will be given.

The Correction-A specific Gonstead Adjustment

If your case is a Chiropractic case, the trained Gonstead practitioner’s goal is to utilise the specific Gonstead adjustment to get you back on the road to health as quickly as possible with no “pre-planned” treatment programs and then give you adequate time between consultations for healing and stabilisation.

Dr. Gonstead said, 

“Find the subluxation, correct it,
and then leave it alone.”

The Gonstead adjustment focuses on being as specific, precise, and accurate as possible, addressing only the problem areas. Great care is taken to ensure a mechanically correct position and precise thrust to provide the most accurate and painless adjustment possible. 

Your Gonstead Chiropractor will explain the healing process, what to expect, and when. They will also be happy to discuss appropriate exercises, diet, and lifestyle to achieve your best results.

You will be encouraged to ask questions. The more you understand and the more you are involved with your care, the better your health will be.

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