The Gonstead System
The Gonstead System is an advanced chiropractic technique. Gonstead chiropractors use five criteria to detect the presence of the vertebral subluxation complex and then use specialized adjustments for correction.
Visualization
What does the back look like? The doctor looks for evidence of swelling, skin discoloration, skin moisture changes, or temperature changes. The gait (or how a patient walks) and posture is assessed as well.
Static and Motion Palpation
This involves feeling the back for evidence of misalignment. Particular segments are tested for movement restriction.
Thermography
A handheld thermography tool is used to find any sharp changes in the skin temperature of the back. These are most likely areas where swelling exists and where nerve function is being affected.
X-rays
Standing, full spine films are taken to see exactly what is going on structurally and biomechanically. Furthermore, x-rays are of extreme importance in determining the exact misalignment and subsequent line of misalignment correction.
