Gonstead Adjustment
Gonstead Chiropractic: The Stand Out Technique
Gonstead Adjustment, It is a common misconception that all chiropractors are the same, and they utilize the same techniques to treat patients. In reality, there are a variety of chiropractic techniques, all of which have been developed and extensively researched. And while they all serve the common goal to correct spinal subluxations, joint dysfunctions, and musculoskeletal complexities; the methodologies are quite different and produce varying results.
The Gonstead technique is one of the most stand-out procedures of the many that are available today. It is unique for its scientific method that leads to a very specific diagnosis and adjustment in the spine, thus allowing for minimal treatment discomfort and successful long-term outcomes. It is more common for chiropractors to use a generalized approach that the industry refers to as the “flying seven”. This method involves adjusting all the major “important joints” at once; with or without any additional screening tools. Many patients do benefit from this approach since spinal health is so fundamental to overall health and healing. However, it’s the difference between taking a multivitamin without knowing what deficiencies are truly causing your symptoms and taking a very-high quality supplement for that specific deficiency.
The Gonstead system is a result of the most comprehensive and extensive clinical research involving over 55 years of continuous practice and over 4 million chiropractic adjustments. Of all chiropractic adjustments, the biomechanical analysis is the most complete in methodology. So why don’t all chiropractors employ this method? Because it is notoriously more time consuming and demanding of dedication to master this technique. Even the evaluation of a patient requires noticeably more time as well.
There are five criteria involved in assessing and determining the subluxation complex:
Visualization: Your chiropractor will note subtle changes in your posture and movement that may be abnormal and potentially indicate dysfunction.
Instrumentation: A nervoscope is used to detect uneven heat distributions along the spine, which is indicative of nerve pressure or inflammation.
Static Palpation: While the patient is stationary, your chiropractic feels for abnormalities, swelling (edema), and tenderness in the muscles and other tissues.
Motion Palpation; Your chiropractic will feel for abnormalities in segmental range of motion while moving and bending in various angles in a guided manner. This allows your chiropractor to assess how easily or difficult your spine or joint segment moves in different directions.
X-Ray Analysis: X-rays are taken to visualize the entire structure of the problem area, and to more accurately assess what is contributing to the patient’s condition. It allows for your chiropractor to check the integrity of the joints and disc as well as rule out any pathologies.
Through the Gonstead approach, we are able to engage in a transparent conversation and provide more realistic expectations for recovery.
We go beyond at Sugarloaf Pain & Rehab
Our practice is a complete care chiropractic approach. We recognize that while spinal subluxations and other joint dysfunctions are largely helped with the gonstead adjustment, an adjustment alone likely may be addressing only a part of the present issue. While the subluxation may have been the initial cause of the patient’s condition, the surrounding tissues have had to over-compensate at the same time. This creates troubles within the soft-tissue themselves, which stimulate pain as well. Our doctors analyze the integrity of the surrounding soft-tissue, checking for myofascial restrictions, scar tissue, nerve entrapment, and muscle spasm. Through the use of advanced soft-tissue therapies, including ART (Active Release Technique), Trigenics, and NMR (Neuromuscular Reprogramming), in combination with the Gonstead adjustment, our doctors give our patients the best chance for lasting relief and recovery.
If you are suffering from neck pain, sciatic pain, headaches, and other injuries, we invite you to contact us for a complimentary consultation. And together we will figure out how we can best approach your care!