Our Method
What is Gonstead?
Information from Gonstead Clinical Studies Society
The Basic Principles of the Gonstead Method of Chiropractic Analysis
The Gonstead Concept of chiropractic begins with a basic biomechanical principle of physics. Every engineer, architect, builder and carpenter knows the importance of a proper foundation in constructing a building, for this insures durability and long life. Any slight change or shift in the foundation can cause a great amount of deviation in the top part of the structure and, perhaps, ultimately, its collapse.
The body’s foundation is formed by the pelvic girdle. When this bony structure consisting of hip bones and the lower bones of the back is level, there will be maximum balance and stability in the spinal column. When the pelvic girdle or any of the vertebrae (bones making up the spinal column) become tilted or rotated out of their proper position, dramatic changes may occur in the body.
These misalignments can cause pressure on the discs that separate the vertebrae. (The condition of the disc is the key to the patient’s health problem in many cases.) Vertebra can become misaligned either from the cumulative effects of several minor episodes or from a single accident. Nature frequently is able to cope with these jolts to the spinal column without assistance. Sometimes, though, vertebrae tilted or rotated out of their normal position can be too much for nature to deal with effectively.
In order to more fully understand what occurs, we should know that the discs are really pads between the vertebrae and consist of a spongy substance surrounded by fibers of cartilage. When there is misalignment of a vertebra, there is uneven pressure on the disc causing it to swell and protrude. (One often hears this referred to as a slipped, herniated or ruptured disc.)
Chiropractors call this condition a SUBLUXATION when it results in the pinching or compressing of the nerves that run through that particular area. These compressed nerves often become inflamed and impede the proper transmission of impulses to the section of the body controlled by these nerves. A seemingly endless list of ailments and pain may be brought about by these subluxations.
Generally, misaligned vertebrae in the spine are easily recognized, particularly those in the upper portion of the vertebral column. However, less easily found and often overlooked are misalignments in the foundation or lower portions of the spine.
The ability to recognize and correct these misalignments forms an integral part of the Gonstead Concept. For example: When the lower portion of the spinal column has misaligned vertebra, the body tries to keep itself and its skeleton upright and straight. Often it compensates by causing a vertebra above to become misaligned. This is the body’s way of attempting to re-establish the normal perpendicular position of the body.
If just the top misaligned vertebra was adjusted, in cases where additional vertebrae are misaligned, only limited relief could result. This would not be getting to the source of the trouble. For complete and lasting results, all of the misaligned vertebrae must be identified and then a program can be initiated to restore them to their normal position. Every chiropractic case presents a different combination of misaligned vertebrae.
Information from The Pennsylvania Gonstead Society Your Gonstead chiropractor has specialized training in the system Dr. Gonstead invented. Your doctor will analyze your spine to detect for the presence of the vertebral subluxation complex. Generally speaking, a vertebral subluxation is nerve pressure produced from improperly functioning or misaligned spinal bones. To find out if you have vertebral subluxations, your Gonstead chiropractor uses five important criteria:
These five criteria allow your Gonstead chiropractor to locate your problem down to the individual segment and nerve involved. With this information along with a detailed heath history, your Gonstead chiropractor can deliver a precise adjustment in the most mechanically correct way to only the problem segments. In doing so, the goal is to eliminate nerve pressure caused by the effects of the subluxation and allow the body to function optimally. Specialized training is required by your Gonstead chiropractor beyond the knowledge gained in chiropractic school. The training consists of hundreds of hours of seminar work study in adjusting technique, analysis as well as specialized case management of a variety of health conditions. (For more information about this specialized training, visit Gonstead Seminars). What Dr. Gonstead left behind is a legacy; a system of chiropractic used to find and help correct the cause of spinal and extremity problems as well as other health issues. Dr. Gonstead was known for his dedication and for his phenomenal ability for getting sick people well without drugs or surgery. That same passion that drove him, still fires the hearts of Gonstead chiropractors today.
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The Chiropractic profession is often poorly misunderstood, and many people have no experience with Chiropractors. Chiropractic is founded upon the premise that when spinal bones are functioning in normal motion and position, the central nervous system can deliver its vital energy for the proper function of the body's tissues, organs and systems. With this philosophy, Chiropractic is not simply treatment for pain! Note: This is an excerpt from Chiropractic Wellness Magazine Nov 2004 issue page 36 * The chiropractic profession leads the way in research related to the conservative treatment of lower back pain. The RAND Study led by Dr. Paul Shekelle (a medical doctor at UCLA) revealed "Spinal manipulation is the most commonly used conservative treatment for back pain supported by the most research evidence of effectiveness in terms of early results and long-term effectiveness." The study went on to say that doctors of chiropractic treated twice as many back pain patients as medical doctors for 30% of the cost! The MEDSTAT Project lead by Miron Stano, PhD (health care economist and professor) analyzed a database consisting of almost 400,000 chiropractic patients. The results were astonishing! Health plans that had limited or no chiropractic coverage had the highest total costs per patient! Moreover, broader coverage of chiropractic services results in dramatically lower health care costs as follows: 35% lower hospital admission rates 42% lower inpatient payments 23% lower total health care costs The UTAH Study evaluated 3,062 separate work related injuries and that chiropractic care was 73% more cost-effective than medical care, and returned patients to work 10 times sooner than those under medical care.
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