The Gonstead Method was created by Dr. Clarence S. Gonstead. Dr. Gonstead was struck by rheumatoid arthritis as a child, which made him unable to walk for many years. He was helped by a chiropractor that restored his ability to walk. This ultimately led him to pursue a lifestyle of chiropractic. By the end of his practice, he had over 2,000,000 individual patients under his care. His life was devoted to correcting subluxation. He would sometimes work over 20 hours per day in order to see as many people as he could. Because of his dedication, we have a method that is built on experience and backed by science. Dr. Gonstead did both blood work and urine analysis in his clinic to prove that vertebral subluxation can cause damage to the body's systems. Dr. Gonstead later started teaching chiropractors how to use his method. There are many analysis tools that Dr. Gonstead gave us chiropractors. This system is simplified into six steps. First, we start with a detailed case history. Second, we use instrumentation with a Nervo-Scope to detect inflammation around the spine. Next, we use static palpation to feel for swelling and skin texture changes, followed by motion palpation to feel how the vertebra is restricted. We will also use visual cues and x-ray to make sure that the right adjustment is delivered. 

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The adjustment given is just as specific as the analysis used. Specific vectors (line-of-drives) are used in order to correct the foundation of the vertebra, the disc. The disc is the cause of a subluxation. When the liquid-gel center of the disc is shifted out of its normal place, there is abnormal movement of the spine. This will cause pain, swelling, and heat because of inflammation. The body tries to stabilize the unstable segment through swelling, just as it would do with a sprained ankle. The Gonstead adjustment is focused on centering the disc to restore proper movement. This is what makes Gonstead as effective and prompt as it is.

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