Gonstead Chiropractic Technique

OUR PHILOSOPHY

There are two basic principles to chiropractic

1) The body naturally seeks the proper balance among all its systems, which are meant to work together.

2) Proper structure is necessary for proper function. If a structure is impaired by injury or stress, its function can be adversely affected.

Chiropractic is a powerful addition to your health regimen. In addition to musculoskeletal pain and headaches, many people seek chiropractic care to maximize their health from a holistic approach. Modern medicine is often a reactive form of healthcare (allopathic). You see a medical doctor with a complaint and are prescribed a medication to hopefully remove that complaint. Of course, the side effects are always a gamble. Emergency medicine absolutely serves a purpose but instead of being reactive, what if you could take control of your health and lead a life that keeps you as healthy as possible? ​

At Meier Family Chiropractic, our mission is to help you achieve your health goals by being the best chiropractor in the Des Moines metro area! We want to help you be proactive about your health so you can live life to your maximal potential. Other healthy additions to your overall wellbeing could include acupuncture, nutritional support, fitness/yoga, or massage. 

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Dr. Nick Meier will take the time necessary to fully understand your health goals and work with you to achieve them. Continue reading below about the thorough analysis he performs in treating your spine!

COMPONENTS OF THE GONSTEAD SYSTEM

X-RAYS

In the Gonstead System we utilize full spine radiography of both A-P and Lateral views. Film size is 14” x 36” with the patient placed to include ishia to occiput (the bottom of the pelvis to the base of the skull). Full Spine films use less radiation than sectionals, provide an accurate vertebral count, provide full spinal contour representation for posture analysis with axial weight bearing, and show problems other than the chief complaint—all of which are not attainable through the use of sectional films. Full spine X-Rays are essential to Gonstead Chiropractic. They allow us to regard the patient totally in biomechanical analysis and corrective procedures. "To see is to know, not to see is to guess." - C.S. Gonstead

PALPATION

Both Static and Motion Palpation are utilized in Gonstead Chiropractic to precisely pinpoint areas of involvement. Static Palpation is the “hands on” part of the examination where the doctor feels for abnormalities in the tissue along the spine. Motion Palpation is when the doctor feels the individual segment to determine a subluxation and how it needs to be corrected.

INSTRUMENTATION

Classically a dual probe instrument (Nervoscope or Delta-T) is used to get a bilateral temperature comparison of the spine to locate areas of inflammation. These instruments are essentially thermometers for your spine. The readings obtained through instrumentation will show whether or not subluxations are present, if they are being corrected, and when correction has been attained.

VISUALIZATION

We take into account all the information we can get from the patient by simply looking at their posture very carefully. In the Gonstead System Visualization starts from the moment the patient walks in the door. The way a patient moves helps the doctor identify problem areas. Differences in shoulder height, a forward lean, posture, and gait are all useful to confirm your X-Ray and Palpation findings.

CASE MANAGEMENT (SYMPTOMATOLOGY)

Understanding problems with a patient's health can help a Gonstead Chiropractor determine the area needing adjusted. Symptoms can help separate the two parts of the Autonomic Nervous System (Sympathetic and Parasympathetic) and aid us in applying a specific adjustment. 

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In the Gonstead System we apply all the information from these modes of analysis and correlate our findings to determine the most likely cause of the patient’s problem. After Subluxations are found, the use of the proper Gonstead technique is applied to effectively correct problem areas.

The Gonstead system focuses on the dynamics of intervertebral disc as the underlying cause of subluxations and resulting neurological dysfunction. It could then be said that Gonstead doctors are “disc doctors”.

OFFICE HOURS

Monday

8:00am-7:00pm

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Tuesday

8:00am-7:00pm

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Wednesday

8:00am-7:00pm

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Thursday

8:00am-7:00pm

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Friday

8:00am-7:00pm

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Saturday

8:00am-7:00pm

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Sunday

1:00pm-7:00pm