Gonstead Chiropractic
A system of analysis and specific adjusting technique created by Dr. Clearence Gonstead practiced by hundreds of chiropractors across the world nearly for 100 years
The Adjustment
“Feel the difference” is a popular saying amongst the Gonstead community of chiropractors and patients because of the way of adjusting. It strives to be “specific” in terms of knowing the exact joint to adjust from the analysis and the exact way, “line of drive” which is the angle, vector, and torque needed to counter the position and abnormal motion of the subluxation. Hence why the x-ray is such a great tool in the toolbelt. Another great set of tools are the standard tables used:
Cervical chair - patient is seated for the neck adjustments
Pelvic bench - patient is side laying for the low back, sacrum, and pelvis adjustments
Knee chest - patient is having contacting the table with the head and chest in the upper section and knees in the lower section allowing the mid back and low back to arch in a natural extension for virtually any part of the spine to be adjusted
Prone table - often a “Hy-Lo” table or table with varying spring-loaded/drop pieces with the patient laying face down
The Gonstead adjustment safety relies on limiting rotation and being on the particular joint of need. The adjustment is not a “rack and crack, pop and pray” method, but a very scientific and evidence based on research and millions of well-adjusted patients.
The Analysis
The Gonstead analysis is the most unique component to the system. It relies on 5 criteria finding the subluxation:
Visualization: Globally as an overall posture check and gait as well as segmentally assessing different regions of the body. This will indicate how the subluxation pattern has changed the framework and motion of the body.
Instrumentation: Using a bi-lateral device reading heat and/or conductivity throughout the spine. This will indicate a relationship of normal and abnormal levels of heat and irritation to the spinal nerve roots as it exits the spine controlling vital functions of the body.
Static Palpation: Feeling the joints and soft tissue for swelling, heat, tenderness, tension, or tightness.
Motion Palpation: Moving the joints in different directions feeling for restricted normal motions
X-rays: Understanding posture of the region and full spine while obtaining a “listing” of the subluxation to adjust.
The Importance of X-rays
This will allow first to rule out any pathologies, or recent fractures that would be a contraindication for an adjustment and possibly catch a bigger problem than joint pain. Secondly, it will allow for the best adjustment knowing what angle and vectors to use with the adjustment by evaluating posture, joint and disc integrity, and vertebral misalignments. Dr. Hodges states, “My hands are pretty good, but my x-ray vision is not.”
It is important that these are taken while in a weight-bearing position for the best evaluation and can be used as a re-evaluation of progress.
The safety and necessity of x-rays out way any risk being a diagnostic procedure, not a treatment such as radiation treatment for things like cancer. Diagnostic x-rays follow the code of “ALARA”, As Low As Reasonably Achievable”.