CHIROPRACTIC

“Chiropractic is a health care discipline which emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health.”

Chiropractic is a science, philosophy, and art founded by D.D. Palmer. On September 18th, 1895 Dr. Palmer adjusted the misaligned vertebrae of a deaf man who subsequently regained his hearing. Dr. Palmer initially thought he found the cure for deafness, but later realized he discovered something much greater – that the removal of nerve interference (subluxation) allows the body to express its inherent recuperative power.
The nerve system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. The brain is divided into sections and stores and receives enormous quantities of information. This information needs a way to get in and out. Nerves provide a pathway for this information to travel, and the spinal cord is made up of bundles of these nerves. The spine both houses and protects the spinal cord. Since your nerve system coordinates and controls every tissue, cell, and organ in your body, it is important to make sure that it is working at its optimum. Nerve dysfunction can result from physical, emotional and chemical stresses such as the birth process, poor diet, poor posture, emotional strain, car wrecks, falls, etc. Our environment and lifestyle overwhelm our bodies causing them to adapt to a sickly, dis-eased state. Regular adjustments removing nerve dysfunction, can help break that pattern and allow you to more fully experience wellbeing.

Gonstead Chiropractic

The Gonstead Method of chiropractic care was developed by Clarence S. Gonstead of Mt Horeb, Wisconsin beginning in 1923. He refined his unique system over a 55 year period.

Dr Gonstead, prior to becoming a Chiropractor, had worked in the field of engineering. This background gave him a unique perspective when studying and analyzing the human frame. Along with his unparalleled work ethics, desire to constantly improve, and understanding of spinal biomechanics in relation to the nervous system, led to the development of the most scientific and biomechanically sound chiropractic technique in the world. Gonstead Chiropractic has the most objective and thorough patient evaluation found in chiropractic. There are five criteria that are utilized to evaluate every patient on every visit. The five criteria are visualization, instrumentation, static palpation, motion palpation, and x-ray analysis.

In Gonstead Chiropractic each and every patient is given a unique and specific adjustment to meet their unique individual needs. The Gonstead specific adjustment is performed without introducing rotation or twisting of the spine and soft tissues which are known to potentially lead to injury. The focus of the Gonstead adjustment is to be as specific, precise and accurate as possible, addressing only the problem areas. 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 optimal health by locating and correcting any interference to the nervous system caused by vertebral subluxation.

The “Gonstead Five Criteria”
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.

1、 Visualization
Visualization is a way to cross reference all the other findings. Your chiropractor is an expert in looking for subtle changes in your posture and movement which could indicate any problems.

2、 Instrumentation
The instrument of choice in the Gonstead System is the Nervoscope. The Nervoscope detects 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.

3、 Static Palpation
This is simply 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.

4、 Motion Palpation
This process involves feeling the spine while moving and bending it at various angles. This enables the chiropractor to determine how easily or difficult each segment in your spine moves in different directions.

5、 X-ray Analysis
x-ray films enable your doctor to visualize the entire structure of your spine. This is helpful in evaluating posture, joint and disc integrity, vertebral misalignments and ruling out any pathologies, or recent fractures that may be present or contributing to the patient’s condition. These full-spine radiographs are taken in the standing, weight-bearing position to fully substantiate the examination findings.