THE GONSTEAD SYSTEM
Dr. Clarence S. Gonstead practiced chiropractic from 1923 until 1978. He decided to become a chiropractor after receiving adjustments allowing his body to heal from a painful, crippling episode of rheumatoid arthritis. Using his background in mechanical engineering and 
extensive hours spent studying cadaver spines; he developed a unique approach to applying chiropractic care. His application brought him both national and international acclaim, and he was known as the “chiropractor’s chiropractor.” His practice located in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin drew patients from all over the world, and is still the largest in existence to date. Dr. Gonstead’s brilliant mind and lifelong experience of adjusting over one million patients enabled him to develop and refine his technique which is now taught and practiced by doctors of chiropractic all over the world.
HOW ARE WE DIFFERENT?
The Gonstead System is unique because it is thorough, complete, and specific in both analyzing and treating the spine. The Gonstead practitioner addresses your entire when evaluating the presence of vertebral subluxations.
The Gonstead Analysis
The Gonstead Chiropractor conducts a thorough analysis of your spine using five criteria to detect the presence of the vertebral subluxation complex.
- X-Ray Analysis- X-ray films are taken to enable the doctor in visualizing the entire structure of your spine. This is helpful in evaluating for spinal architecture.
- 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.
- Static Palpation- The process of feeling for tenderness and swelling around the spinal joints.
- Motion Palpation- Touching the spine while moving and bending it in different directions. This allows the chiropractor to determine the range of motion of your spinal segments.
- Visualization- Is a process in which the chiropractor looks at the spinal column and assorted structures, thus allowing the doctor to verify the previous findings.
