THE
GONSTEAD
DIFFERENCE
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HISTORY
Gonstead Technique is a system of analysis based on the practice of Dr. Clarence Gonstead, who started his clinic in tiny Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin in 1923. He was a mechanical engineer, and looked at the body and spine with an engineer's eye. He developed a unique methodology based on proper biomechanical principles and the importance of a "level foundation" for the spine. Because of his incredible results (especially with so-called "hopeless" cases), people came to the clinic in droves, and he eventually built the largest chiropractic clinic in the world! In order to accommodate the patients coming from all over the world, he built a hotel next to the clinic and a landing strip for airplanes. It's hard to argue with that kind of success!
"We are the type of doctor that helps you when no one else can" - Dr. John Cox
SPECIFICITY
Research has shown that rotational movement is especially damaging to spinal discs. Dr. Gonstead knew this and developed a technique that does not involve twisting the spine. He also developed the "Principle of Specificity" - finding exactly which one or two spinal bones were causing the problem. When they are individually adjusted, the body can then compensate and begin to heal itself. If a doctor "popped" every one of your spinal joints, how could you ever know where your problem was? Wouldn't you rather FIX the problem?
We pride ourselves on being "snipers" rather than "shotguns". We find, detect, and correct the cause of interference to your nervous system
SUBLUXATION
Dr. Gonstead realized that the body’s foundation is formed by the pelvic girdle. When the pelvis or any of the spinal bones become tilted or out of alignment, dramatic changes can occur in the body that may result in pain and decreased health. Misalignments of the vertebrae and pelvis cause pressure on the discs between the spinal bones, and put pressure on the nerves extending out to the rest of the body.
This pressure usually causes pain, but in the early stages, the person may not feel pain and may be unaware of the problem. Uneven pressure on the discs causes them to swell and protrude, and is commonly called a "slipped" disc. "Subluxation" is the term used by chiropractors for these misalignments which result in pinching or compression of the nerves. Compressed nerves become inflamed and impede the proper transmission of impulses to the corresponding areas of the body.
NERVOSCOPE
Thermography has been used in chiropractic since the early 1900’s. The specific device that we use is called a nervoscope. It was developed in the 1940's. This technology gives us a real time view of the function of each one of your nerves. Allowing us to have the specificity needed t correct the cause of your problem, that is interfering with the life force of your body.
The nervoscope has two probes which detect the temperature of your skin on either side of your spine. Ideally the temperature should be the same on both sides. However, subluxations cause an inflammatory response which increases blood flow to the area, and it becomes hotter. This is identical to the body’s response to a sprained ankle. Our scope allows us to determine a temperature difference of up to 1/25th of a degree.
As we slide the scope up and down your spine, there is a needle on the front of the scope which displays the difference from side to side. This lets us know exactly when, and even more importantly, when not to adjust. With this technology, we can be extremely specific, and remove the exact cause of your problem. With specific corrections, we are able to do the least and allow your body to achieve the most.
FOUNDATION PRINCIPLE
Dr. Gonstead realized that the body’s foundation is formed by the pelvic girdle. As a child is learning to walk they can fall up to 40,000 times! If this goes uncorrected, it can lead to an unbalanced pelvis.
Just like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, where the foundation is not balanced, the structure of the building follows the foundation. The same is true of your spine!
When the pelvis or any of the spinal bones become tilted or out of alignment, the rest of your spine has to compensate. This happens because of gravity. Gravity is the only sense we cannot get away from, as long as we are on this planet.
As gravity pushes down on us, the main job of our spine is to resist gravity and relay information to our brain about the world that we are encountering.
When the body is misaligned dramatic changes can occur in the function of the body. Dr. Roger Sperry won a Nobel prize in 1981 and he found that most of the energy of the brain is used to resist gravity. The more distorted our body is the less energy we will have for thinking, healing, connecting, and creating.
Also, Dr. Roger Sperry found that 90% of stimulation and nutrition for the brain comes from movement of the spine. So, the healthier that your spine is, the healthier your brain function is going to be.!
Uneven pressure on the discs causes them to swell and protrude and is commonly known as a "slipped" disc, or subluxation. A subluxation results in poor communication and connection, thus affecting your ability to create the future you want and deserve!
As Gonstead chiropractors, we correct the foundation of your spine, and the foundation of your health, and the foundation of your future!
Why do we adjust this way?
The Gonstead technique allows us to figure out exactly which part of your spine is causing irritation to your nervous system.
When your computer is moving very slowly and programs arent working how they should many people will pick one of two options. You can pound on all the keys of the keyboard to get your frustration out, which would probably make the problem worse. Or, you can hit CTRL + ALT+ DELETE, and reset your computer.
Logically one makes way more sense than the other.
Gonstead chiropractors are the CTRL + ALT+ DELETE for your nervous system. We correct the areas that are subluxated, to restore your nervous system to ease.
When a bone in your spine subluxates, it has to move backwards first (except for the top bone in your neck which goes primarily to the side). For that reason for a majority of our adjustments, we will stand behind you in order to make the proper correction.
To necessitate this Dr. Clarence Gonstead developed three specific tables: Knee-chest table, cervical chair, and pelvic bench.
Cervical Chair
Dr. Gonstead created the cervical chair in 1925. The chair has a back that folds down in order to allow the chiropractor to use the nervoscope, to detect the subluxations.
When preparing the adjust the back of the chair comes back up and is stabilized by a solid wood wedge.
This position allows for the best correction of the neck, including the top bone in the neck (the atlas).
Adjustments in the cervical chair, as on all other tables are gentle, easy, and effective.
Pelvic Bench
Dr. Gonstead created the Pelvic bench in 1928 in order to adjust the low back and the hips or pelvis. This table allows the doctor to position the practice member for the most gentle, and specific correction possible.
The pelvic bench is made with foam rubber for comfort and it is covered with durable cloth to prevent the practice member from sliding. The table will always be against the wall to provide reassurance that you cannot fall off the back
of the table.
This table enables the doctor to remove the subluxation of the low back or pelvis with ease but it also allows for the correction of extremities
The position of the doctor and practice member allow for correction of the many different listings, so each adjustment can be tailored to your specific subluxation.
Knee-Chest Table
Dr. Gonstead created the knee-chest table in 1924. This table is effective for adjusting the spine from the sacrum (tailbone) to the atlas (first bone of neck). On this table, gravity is a great assistant in providing the force necessary for the adjustment.
This table allows the doctor to use a lot less force while still being able to make the correction. On this table, you are able to achieve maximum relaxation.
Because of the comfort of this table, many people, espescially pregnant women, prefer being adjusted on this table. The knee-chest table, is the most portable table and can be used when adjusting people outside of the clinic.
Hi-Lo
Dr. Gonstead did not create the hi-lo, but he modified the original table to better suit the needs of the Gonstead chiropractor. Similar to the knee--chest table, the hi-lo can be used for most areas of the spine.
The hi-lo table has specific height modifications to perfectly suit all people. It allows the doctor to remove the most crucial aspect of the subluxation with ease.
As with the pelvic bench, the hi-lo can be used to adjust extremities.
This table is the most widely used tables in chiropractic, so if you have been to a chiropractor n this past, this is most likely the table they have used.
TRAINING
What makes us different is that Dr. Bridget and Dr. Vin have spent hundreds of hours, outside of school, to learn the Gonstead Technique.
It is the most difficult technique to master but gets the absolute best results. The amount of time and energy it takes doctors to learn the Gonstead Technique means you are getting the most thorough and comprehensive care possible!
Drs. Bridget and Vin are also Certified in the Webster Technique, which also helps prepare your body for birthing your baby as naturally and painlessly as possible..
