Tools for your Chiropractor: Gonstead Chiropractic Technique
This technique used by your chiropractor combines biomechanics and physics
The Gonstead technique incorporates the principles of biomechanics and physics. Founded by Dr. Clarence S. Gonstead, it focuses on the important role of a solid “foundation” and plays in supporting any structure. In the human body, our foundation is our pelvic girdle—the skeletal area consisting of pelvis, hip bones, and lower back bones. If the pelvic girdle or any vertebrae are moved out of proper position, negative conditions called
Subluxations can often occur.
The ability to recognize and directly target not just these Subluxations, but resulting misalignments as well, forms an integral part of the Gonstead Concept. If a lower portion of the spinal column suffers a Subluxation, the human body tries to compensate in order to maintain balance and posture. This can result in additional vertebrae becoming misaligned.
Gonstead begins with in-depth assessment
When applying the Gonstead Principles, we conduct an extremely thorough spinal assessment thorough analysis of five criteria to detect Subluxations:
1.
Visualization
We look for subtle abnormalities in your posture and body movement to help identify any problems.
3.
Static Palpation
We are trained to feel or “palpate” your spine while it is stationary or “static.” Often, this can reveal swelling or “edema”, tenderness, and any abnormal muscle or tissue tightness.
5.
X-Rays
Being able to view your spine structure allows us to evaluate posture as well as joint, disc, and vertebrae malignments. X-rays also help us to identify contraindications to care that could be present such as broken bones or tumors.
2.
Instrumentation
Using a thermal-imaging “Nervoscope” (one of the main instruments used in the Gonstead technique) we detect uneven distributions of heat along the spine—releasing areas that could be suffering from inflammation or nerve pressure.
4.
Motion Palpation
Like static Palpation, this process involves feeling your spine while it is in motion. This test reveals how range of motion may be being affected by any spinal misalignment.
