An Overview of the Gonstead Technique

By Robert J. Steiskal, D.C.

Clarence S. Gonstead graduated from the Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1922. He practiced for over 50 years in a small town about 30 miles west of Madison Wisconsin. Over the years he built up a reputation that drew people from several surrounding states. Doctors in these areas wanted to know what Gonstead was doing that made him so successful. They asked him to show them what he was doing that was obviously different than what they were doing. 

Dr. Gonstead was using a three-dimensional model for correcting vertebral subluxations. The three components of a subluxation consist of posteriority, lateral bending and axial rotation. The most important component is to correct the posterior misalignment while reducing the lateral wedge and not increasing the rotation. This began the Gonstead seminars which have continued for over 80 years. Gonstead technique is the longest continuously taught technique in chiropractic. At the Palmer college in Davenport Iowa, it is taught as the Palmer Gonstead Technique. 

Dr. Gonstead developed specialized equipment for correcting vertebral subluxations. Patient evaluation incudes Symptomatology, Static palpation, Motion palpation, Instrumentation (Nervoscope / Temposcope) and x-ray analysis. 

Dr. Gonstead finished developing his pelvic technique around 1950. He determined that the sacroiliac joints have diarthrodial movement (top to bottom and side to side motion). Prior to this time, some medical practioners were of the opinion that the SI joints had no movement and they ran bolts through the ilium and sacrum to immobilize these joints. That practice stopped sometime in the first half of the 20th century. 

The Gonstead technique recognizes that there are two aspects to the nervous system – sympathetic and parasympathetic. 

The sympathetic nervous system extends from the lower cervical spine through the lumbar spine. In general, it stimulates most body functions. The parasympathetic nervous system surrounds the sympathetic system and includes the upper cervical spine and pelvic area. This system inhibits many body functions. The interplay between these two systems regulates the speeding up and slowing down of the human body. Medical drugs, with the exception of antibiotics, either stimulate or inhibit these systems ie uppers, downers, reds and whites. 

There are seven cervical vertebrae, twelve thoracic vertebrae, five lumbar vertebrae, five sacral segments and three coccygeal segments. There are two printed sources that detail the Gonstead technique. One is the Gonstead notes that consists of twenty one chapters in a bound book titled, “Gonstead Chiropractic Science and Art; The Chiropractic Methodology of Clarence S. Gonstead, D.C” by Roger W. Herbst, and hard bound book is a clinical study titled, “ Textbook of Clinical Chiropractic A Specific BioMechanical Approach” by Greg Plaugher DC. 

A classic example of sacral misalignment causing physical symptoms is bed wetting. This problem often involves posterior misalignment of S3. This subluxation can be seen on a lateral lumbosacral x-ray as a widening of the space between S2 and S3. This misalignment can inhibit parasympathetic function resulting in an overactive sympathetic system causing increased urination. 

The sacrum can be involved with the lumbosacral joint and the sacroiliac joints. The lumbosacral subluxation is listed as a base posterior sacrum. The adjustment is contacted on the second Sacro segment and the line of drive is posterior to anterior to correct a posterior disc bulge at L5.Another subluxation is associated with a posterior displacement of the sacrum to the ilium. That is termed left or right posterior sacrum. All of the subluxations can have a adverse effect on the parasympathetic nervous system and can be identified by pain, restricted motion and x-ray analysis.