Chiropractor Heidi Schultz D.C.

The Gonstead Chiropractor goes beyond what many chiropractors consider a spinal assessment by conducting a thorough analysis of your spine using five criteria to detect the presence of the vertebral subluxation complex.

• Visualization — Visualization is a way to cross reference all the other findings. Your chiropractor is an expert in looking for subtle changes in your posture and movement which could indicate any problems.
• Instrumentation — The instrument of choice in the Gonstead System is the Nervoscope. The Nervoscope detects uneven distributions of heat along the spine which can be indicative of inflammation and nerve pressure. This instrument is guided down the length of your back and feels like two fingers gliding down each side of your spine.
• Static Palpation — This is simply the process of feeling (or palpating) your spine in a stationary (or static) position. Your chiropractor will feel for the presence of swelling (or edema), tenderness and any abnormal texture or tightness in the muscles and other tissues of your back.
• Motion Palpation — This process involves feeling the spine while moving and bending it at various angles. This enables the chiropractor to determine how easily or difficult each segment in your spine moves in different directions.
• X-Ray Analysis — X-ray films enable your doctor to visualize the entire structure of your spine. This is helpful in evaluating posture, joint and disc integrity, vertebral misalignments and ruling out any pathologies, or recent fractures that may be present or contributing to the patient’s condition. These full-spine radiographs are taken in the standing, weight-bearing position to fully substantiate the examination findings.

After a complete analysis, the Gonstead chiropractor is ready to deliver any necessary adjustments. The focus of the Gonstead adjustment is to be as SPECIFIC, PRECISE and ACCURATE as possible, addressing only the problem areas (areas of subluxation). Great care is taken to ensure a bio-mechanically correct position and precise thrust to provide the most accurate and painless adjustment possible. It is the goal of your Gonstead doctor to restore and maintain optimal health by locating and correcting any interference to the nervous system caused by vertebral subluxation.

“Find the subluxation, accept it where you find it, correct it and leave it alone.”

– C.S. Gonstead

A subluxation is the result of spinal bones with improper motion or position affecting nerve communications between your brain and your body.

sub = less than | luxation = dislocation

A dropped cell phone call is irritating. But dropped communications between your brain and your body can seriously impair your health!
A subluxation is a stress response. Vertebra (bone of your spine) lock up, Muscles go into spasm, and can result in nerves that get choked. This interferes with communications between the brain and parts of your body.

Distorted nerve communications can be an underlying cause of many health problems beyond just headaches and back pain. For example. Interference with nerve impulses going to or from your stomach: stomach (digestive) problems.

Your nervous system controls every cell, tissue, organ and system of your body. These nerve impulses travel through your spine. So having a spine free of subluxations is essential for optimal health.
Only a chiropractic examination can detect subluxations. And only chiropractic adjustments can reduce their effect to your nervous system, naturally.

Find out if you have subluxations before they become more serious and more difficult to correct.

Vertebra can become misaligned either from the cumulative effects of several minor episodes or from a single accident. Nature frequently is able to cope with these jolts to the spinal column without assistance. Sometimes, though, vertebrae tilted or rotated out of their normal position can be too much for the body deal with. In order to more fully understand what occurs, we should know that the discs are really pads between the vertebrae and consist of a spongy substance surrounded by fibers of cartilage. When there is misalignment of a vertebra, there is uneven pressure on the disc causing it to swell and protrude. (One often hears this referred to as a slipped, herniated or ruptured disc.) Chiropractors call this condition a SUBLUXATION when it results in the pinching or compressing of the nerves that run through that particular area. These compressed nerves often become inflamed and impede the proper transmission of impulses to the section of the body controlled by these nerves. A seemingly endless list of ailments and pain may be brought about by these subluxations.

The Gonstead Technique is acknowledged as one of the safest systems of evaluating and caring for the spine. Considered a Gold Standard of adjusting.

Although the basic premise for chiropractic care is the same whether the patient is 80 years old or 8 months old, the ever-growing and changing active little bodies of children have distinct needs depending on their stage of development. Generally, children respond much faster and more profoundly to chiropractic care than adults do. They have not subjected their bodies to the same years of abuse that we have. Another major difference is that pain is not a primary system. This can make it more difficult for parents to know when kids need to visit their chiropractor. There are certain “clues” that we can watch for to gain more understanding in this area, such as postural changes, only wanting to breast feed from one side, being off-balance, and running with a limp. As mentioned before, the amount of force used vary depending on the unique needs of individual children and what stage of development they are currently in.

It is never too early to bring your child to the chiropractor. Infant’s just minutes old are often checked by the loving hands or the family chiropractor and it is not uncommon to stop by the chiropractor’s office on the way home from the hospital. The birthing process is physically strenuous for both mom and baby, so it is best to get them both cared for as soon as possible afterwards. That being said, it is never too late either! Children may enjoy the benefits of chiropractic care at any age or stage of development.

(If you really want to maximize the benefits of chiropractic care for your child, you can start by taking care of mom while baby is still in the womb!)

Here is a list of common childhood conditions that families have seen great impact from chiropractic care that you may not have thought of as chiropractic issues. Chiropractors do not necessarily treat or cure these conditions, but they have been shown to help in profound ways by treating the children suffering from them and enhancing their general health.

• ADHD & Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Ear infections
• Common Cold
• Colic
• Constipation
• Growing pains
• Scoliosis
• Bed wetting
• Breastfeeding difficulties
• Birthing Trauma
• Sports injuries (like Little League Elbow)

Yes! There have been several large-scale research studies verifying the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care for kids. The amount of force used to adjust an infant is comparable to the amount of force you use to test a ripe tomato at the grocery store. Those of you with kids know that they are certainly able to withstand a lot more pressure than that! Chiropractors have been helping kids lead healthier lives for over 100 years.