What Is Gonstead Chiropractic Method
and the Wonders It Can Do to Your Body

Are you wondering what sets Gonstead Chiropractic care apart from others? This is a commonly asked question.
Gonstead chiropractic is an approach to take care of the spine. It incorporates all the necessary steps for a good and lasting outcome.
The biggest difference between the Gonstead Method and other chiropractic techniques is that it uses passive motion instead of active thrusts. The practitioner's hands remain in the body at all times, with few or no adjustments being made.
The other important thing to know about Gonstead chiropractic is that it emphasizes motion preservation as opposed to motion correction. This means that through adjusting and aligning the spine in the proper position, it will restore the motion without having to perform manipulation to create it.
Gonstead Chiropractic is not just about treating neck pain, but about restoring health and wellness to every aspect of your life. The spine is considered the main highway for information traveling throughout the body. If you have any type of interference on this road, it will affect every system in your body. In this article, we'll get to learn more what is Gonstead Chiropractic Method and the wonders it can do to your body.
What is the Gonstead Chiropractic Method?
Gonstead Chiropractic is one of the most common types of chiropractic techniques. It is a manual hands-on method that focuses on spinal manipulation and other gentle techniques to improve patient health. Chiropractors who use this method have many patients who use it to treat a large variety of different conditions and to achieve a wide variety of different results.
It was developed by Dr. Clarence Gonstead in the early 1900s, who was a Swedish-trained D.C. He spent many years developing his spinal manipulation technique for successful patient treatment. His approach is based on the idea that the spine should be considered a whole unit and not just individual bones. Gonstead chiropractic has been used to treat different types of musculoskeletal problems including low back pain, neck pain, headaches, and more. If you are suffering from these pains or any other type of musculoskeletal problem, you may want to consider Gonstead chiropractic for your treatment.
How does it work?
Simply put, Gonstead is a specific technique that focuses on the alignment of your joints. It involves full spinal mobility and is gentle and safe for anyone to undergo. When you receive your examination from your chiropractor utilizing this technique, they will perform a physical exam on you and then make adjustments based on the findings of that exam.
Since the Gonstead approach is an alternative to more traditional chiropractic moves that involve more forceful manipulations and other manual techniques, you will expect a different approach to the treatment. Gonstead chiropractors are trained in several different procedures including:
- Activator Technique – a specific adjusting instrument that gives light pressure to specific points on the spine;
- Intersegmental traction – gentle manual traction along the spine;
- McKenzie Method – exercises designed to strengthen muscles without causing movement in joints that might be damaged by poor alignment;
- Logan Basic Technique – involves high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts that move only three vertebrae at a time;
The Benefits of the Gonstead Method
There are many benefits of Gonstead chiropractic. It focuses on the spine, which is the center of the nervous system, and controls all bodily functions. The problems with the spine can lead to pain and a decreased quality of life. Chiropractors examine your spine and determine whether it is off balance. Once it is put into proper alignment, you will begin to feel better.
Treatment using the Gonstead method has been shown to be helpful for a wide variety of conditions including:
Reduced stress & tension - While you may not feel any direct improvement in your pain levels, you will likely feel more relaxed after receiving a Gonstead adjustment. This is because the treatment helps reduce muscle tension and improves blood flow throughout your body
Helps with Headaches - The Gonstead method of adjusting is an excellent way to treat headaches. Chiropractic treatments can help relieve pain and increase blood flow to the head and neck areas.
Improved spinal alignment - When you visit one of the many chiropractors who utilize the Gonstead method, you can expect to receive an adjustment that helps to realign your bones and vertebrae. This is what is known as a spinal correction, and it's often recommended for patients who suffer from any sort of neck or back pain.
Increased mobility - By restoring proper spinal alignment, you will experience less pain during everyday activities, which means you'll move around more easily, with less pain and greater ease
Alleviates Muscle Pains - Chiropractor treatment can help relieve muscle pains caused by strains, sprains, or other musculoskeletal injuries. By gently manipulating the joints in the back and neck area, you can restore mobility and alleviate pain.
Treat Neck Pain - Patients with neck pain may benefit from chiropractic adjustments performed during Gonstead treatment. Neck pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including accidents, sports injuries, whiplash, and other types of trauma. Chiropractic treatments have been shown to reduce symptoms caused by neck pain, allowing patients the freedom they need to enjoy their daily activities without discomfort or pain.
Improve Your Overall Health - While some patients come to their chiropractor specifically seeking relief from certain ailments, others are interested in living a healthier lifestyle through regular adjustments. These types of adjustments can actually help improve your overall health and reduce your risk of experiencing future health problems. In fact, many people find that after receiving regular adjustments from their chiropractor, they have more energy and feel better overall.
Why go to a Gonstead Chiropractor?
The Gonstead method of chiropractic care has been used successfully for over 100 years and has grown in popularity as more people have come to appreciate its benefits. If you suffer from a musculoskeletal issue that causes pain and discomfort, it may be time to visit a Gonstead Chiropractor.
Author Dr. Vartan Chakalian

After completing his undergraduate studies, Dr. Vartan was searching for a way he could combine his passion for family, health, and service for others, which brought him to Chiropractic at Southern California University of Health Sciences. During his time in Chiropractic school, he was president of two clubs, traveled to Peru for a chiropractic mission trip, and began interning at various doctor’s offices to learn everything he could.