What is Gonstead Chiropractic Technique?
Gonstead Chiropractic is a specific Chiropractic technique that requires detailed analysis of spinal X-rays to determine precise areas that require adjustment. The philosophy behind the Gonstead Chiropractic technique is that once these problem areas in your spine have been treated, the rest of your spine will naturally follow and improve itself, without the need for an adjustment.
The Gonstead adjustment is one of the most used and widely recognised Chiropractic techniques worldwide. It was a Chiropractor by the name of doctor Gonstead that created the technique and developed teaching, seminars and a procedure in which other Chiropractors could follow, to treat in the same way he did. Gonstead Chiropractors believe that their is a connection from the brain all different parts of the body. Since there are nerves that connect your brain to your eyes, tongue, stomach and other parts of your body, Gonstead technique was based on dysfunction or ‘Chiropractic subluxation’ that occurs in the spine and the thought that these issues in your spine could have flow on effects to the rest of your body, including your hands, feet or even organs.
It is clear today that adjusting the spine does not directly lead to any changes in organ function. Instead, it may be the case that by providing neurological input through the spine into the brain that your body begins to regulate an function better than before. Therefore in this way you may notice changes to your sleep, organ function and more. But these results cannot be predicted or reproduced in a meaningful way.
The principle of Chiropractic care under a Gonstead practitioner used to “find it, fix it, and leave it alone”. This means that your Chiropractor will attempt to put your body in an ideal position and then allow the healing process to take care of itself.
True Gonstead practitioners must regularly attend constant seminars beyond their 5-years of Chiropractic training. They are expected to continue to make sure their techniques are perfect and their application is accurate.
Our Croydon Chiropractic team use aspects of the Gonstead analyzation technique to help patients who are looking to achieve a Gonstead style of adjustment.
If you are looking to be adjusted using the Gonstead system by someone who understands it and can perform the necessary adjustments, then our Chiropractors are ready and waiting to help.
What does a Gonstead Chiropractic adjustment involve?
Gonstead’s style of adjustment requires the Chiropractor to be constantly referring to your X-ray to determine the exact location of the primary driver of your spinal dysfunction. The Chiropractor must also move the joint in a particular direction and often with a rotational component to the thrust.
The Gonstead adjustment attempts to move one joint within your spine- to begin the healing process- that can also help with the other joints. The Gonstead Chiropractor will have you in many positions during your adjustment. Seated Gonstead techniques for the neck are common, as are side-lying pelvic or lumbar adjustments. Middle back adjustments are done on a specific Gonstead bench. The aim of the Gonstead adjustment is to create a popping sound in the joint, which tells the Chiropractor that the necessary change has been made to that spinal joint.
More advanced information about Gonstead technique.
Much of the measurement and technique for a Gonstead analysis is of the pelvis and a specific part called the ilium. The ileum is the wide part of your pelvis where you carry a child usually on you ‘hip’. Rotation of your pelvis forward, backwards, towards the middle of your body or towards the outside of your body are generally what Gonstead practitioners are looking to improve.
There are many ways that your pelvis can move and very specific styles of adjustment to help depending on which way your pelvis has moved. Gonstead technique requires the use of leg length measurements two allow the practitioner to know if one side of the pelvis is dysfunctional and needs an adjustment. If the Chiropractors sees your legs are level then there is no misalignment of the pelvis. There is also a specific order of priority in your body which your Gonstead Chiropractor will need to adjust to allow the rest of your spine to heal naturally.
They also analyse your overall shape of your spine to decide which direction to apply pressure. A Gonstead practitioner will never push into a spinal curve that could create the spine getting worse. Click here to locate us.