The Gonstead Method
Your Go-To Gonstead Chiropractor in Conroe
What makes us so special?
Chiropractic has come a long way since D.D. Palmer gave the first adjustment in 1895 in Davenport, Iowa. Today, many methods are used by chiropractors to correct joint dysfunctions and subluxations. One of the most advanced and scientific methods is a technique called:
The Gonstead System
Gonstead procedures are the result of extensive clinical research by Clarence S.Gonstead, founder of the world famous Gonstead Clinic of Chiropractic in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. Doctor Gonstead’s fifty-five years of practice and over four million chiropractic adjustments resulted in the most complete method of biomechanical analysis available for use by today’s doctors of chiropractic. So why don’t all chiropractors use this technique? Because the analysis takes more time and mastering the art of delivering a specific adjustment takes a LOT of practice and dedication.
The “Gonstead Chiropractor”
The Gonstead Chiropractor goes beyond what many chiropractors consider a spinal assessment by conducting a thorough analysis of your spine using five criteria to detect the presence of the vertebral subluxation complex.
Visualization — Visualization is a way to cross reference all other findings. Your chiropractor is an expert in looking for subtle changes in your posture and movement which could indicate any problems.
Instrumentation — The instrument of choice is Nerv-o-scope or Delta-T used to detect uneven distributions of heat along the spine which can be indicative of 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 — The process of feeling (or palpating) your spine in a stationary (or static) position. Your chiropractor will feel for the presence of swelling (or edema), tenderness and any abnormal texture or tightness in the muscles and other tissues of your back.
Motion Palpation — This process involves feeling the spine while moving and bending at various angles. This enables the chiropractor to determine how easily or difficult each segment in your spine moves in different directions.
X-Ray Analysis — X-ray films enable your doctor to visualize your spinal structure, joint and disc integrity, vertebral misalignments, rule out any pathologies or recent fractures that may be present and contributing to the patient’s condition. These full-spine radiographs are taken in the standing, weight-bearing position to fully substantiate the examination findings.
After a complete analysis, the Gonstead chiropractor is ready to deliver any necessary adjustments. The focus of the Gonstead adjustment is to be as specific, precise and accurate as possible, addressing only the areas of subluxation. Great care is taken to ensure a bio-mechanically correct position and precise thrust to provide the most accurate and painless adjustment possible. It is the goal of your Gonstead doctor to restore and maintain health by locating and correcting any interference to the nervous system caused by vertebral subluxation.
“Find the subluxation, accept it where you find it, correct it and leave it alone.”
– C.S. Gonstead
The Gonstead Adjustment
The Basic Principles of the Gonstead Method
The Gonstead Method begins with a basic biomechanical principle of physics. Architects, builders and carpenters know the importance of a proper foundation. A foundational shift can cause the entire structure to deviate and, perhaps, ultimately, collapse.
The body’s foundation is the pelvis. When this bony foundation consisting of the hip (ilium) and tailbone (sacrum) is level, there is balance and stability in the spine. When the pelvis or other vertebrae becomes tilted or rotated out of proper position, dramatic changes may occur in the body.
These misalignments cause pressure on the discs in between the vertebrae. Vertebrae misalign from the accumulation of several minor traumas or from a single major trauma. Your body is often able to handle these jolts to the spine 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 understand what occurs, we should know that discs are in-between the vertebrae and have a spongy center surrounded by cartilage fibers. When a vertebra misaligns, there is uneven pressure on the disc causing it to swell. (Often described as a slipped, herniated or ruptured disc.)
Chiropractors call this condition a SUBLUXATION when it results in pressure on the nerves in that area. The nerve pressure impedes the proper transmission of mental impulses to the part of the body controlled by these nerves. An endless list of ailments and pain may be brought about by these subluxations.
Finding and correcting subluxation is integral to the Gonstead Method. For example: When a vertebra becomes misaligned/subluxated, the body tries to keep itself upright. Often it misaligns a vertebrae above (compensation) to counteract a subluxation below. This is the body’s way of attempting to maintain a normal position of the body.
Manipulating vertebrae that are not subluxated (compensations) would not be getting to the source of the trouble. For 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.
The Webster Technique
The gold standard in prenatal chiropractic care, The Webster Technique is designed to help pregnant women have the most comfortable pregnancy and delivery possible. It was developed by Dr. Larry Webster, founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, and has been used by chiropractors for several decades to help pregnant women with various ailments and discomforts.
The Webster Technique is based upon neurobiomechanical principle that sacrum misalignment will distort the shape of the uterus, distort the shape of the pelvic inlet (birth canal), and create irritation of the nerves that help uterine function. The distorted shape of the uterus can result in breech, transverse, or sunny side up (occiput posterior) presentations, which increases the risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery. The distortion in the shape of the birth canal will negatively impact the ability for the baby to be delivered vaginally. The neurological irritation will negatively impact the ability of the uterus to fully and equally contract during labor.
The technique involves a gentle adjustment to the sacrum to help improve alignment and balance in the pelvis and uterine ligaments, while reducing neurological irritation of the associated nerves. This can reduce distortion of the uterus and encourage the baby to move into the optimal position for birth, ensure the pelvic inlet (birth canal) has the ideal shape, and maximize neurological transmission of mental impulses to the uterus for full and equal contractions to assure an optimal labor and delivery. The Webster Technique is non-invasive and does not involve any medication, making it a safe and natural option.