The Gonstead Technique, named after its founder, is an adjustment method used to realign the spine. It is known as one of the most precise and effective methods to relieve pain and promote optimal alignment of the spine. It is a manual (hands-on) technique in which a chiropractor adjusts the lower back or pelvis. It’s done while the patient is lying on his or her side. This position allows the chiropractic to realign joints that could be causing pain, stiffness, or limiting a person’s overall mobility.

This technique is also called “The Drop Technique”. It uses a unique table that can drop by tiny increments as the chiropractor applies pressure in a thrusting motion to adjust a person’s spine or other extremities. The subtle motion feels more like a vibration to the patient, reducing the likelihood of experiencing any pain or discomfort during the adjustment. Multiple thrusts may be necessary to achieve spinal manipulation. To use this technique, chiropractors have to analyze the length of the patient’s legs and how that correlates to the pelvis and the spine.

This technique is also referred to as upper cervical chiropractic care. It involves a precise adjustment process targeting the upper cervical vertebrae at C1 or C2. The technique is known for its gentle approach in which the chiropractor places their hands lightly on the area of joint restriction. By utilizing a delicate, specific force, the chiropractor manipulates the vertebrae without the traditional “cracking or popping” often associated with chiropractic adjustments.

This technique is a biomechanical analysis of spinal kinetics or spinal motion utilizing “stress views” of the spine. These “stress views” include flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral bending x-rays. They are then used to determine the loss of spinal function, which is at the core of the “vertebral subluxation complex”. This technique focuses on correcting curvatures back towards normals.

This technique is considered a cornerstone of chiropractic care. It uses precise manual adjustments, called HVLA (high velocity, low amplitude) thrusts to correct misaligned spinal joints. This technique restores proper spinal alignment, repairs joint dysfunction, and enhances mobility.

This technique involves manipulating the joints outside of the spine. Extremity manipulations may require physical adjustments of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle joints. This technique can be used for several conditions, but it is common for patients with repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, and sports injuries.

This technique is an interdisciplinary treatment technique used by nearly 5,000 clinicians. Athletic trainers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and chiropractors all utilize this technique.

The Graston technique advantages for the patient:

• decreases overall time of treatment

• fosters faster rehabilitation and recovery

• reduces the need for anti-inflammatory medications

• resolves chronic conditions

• allows the patient to engage in activities

This technique was developed to restore manual physiological function of the mother, improve her comfort throughout pregnancy and prepare for a safer, easier birth. This technique helps balance the pelvic region so that the baby can comfortably assume the best possible position for birth.

This is one of the lowest force adjustive techniques. A light and constant pressure or force is applied against the specific contact point at the base of the spine on the sacrum. Supplementary contacts are different points in the spine or along some particular muscles such as the pure form can also be used. This technique basically uses the muscular structure that surrounds the sacrum as a lever to balance the complete spinal structure. It is based off of soft tissue therapies, and when applied with extremely light pressure, is more helpful and relaxing to the tissues compared to deeper pressure commonly used in other soft tissue therapy such as myofascial release or massage.