Not all chiropractors adjust the same way. The technique used, the depth of analysis performed before an adjustment is made, and the level of specificity applied to each correction can vary significantly from one practice to the next. Most patients don't discover this until they experience the difference firsthand.
The Gonstead technique is widely regarded as one of the most specific and thoroughly studied methods in chiropractic. Developed by Dr. Clarence Gonstead over 55 years of continuous clinical practice and more than four million adjustments, it represents the highest standard of biomechanical analysis in the field. Because it takes significantly more time to perform and significantly more training to master, not every chiropractor offers it. Those who do are part of a small group committed to precision over speed.
At Family Chiropractic in Cranberry Township, every provider is trained and certified in Gonstead chiropractic care. It was the Gonstead chiropractic method that gave Dr. Cotey Jordan his life back after years of debilitating migraines, and it's the method behind every one of the 166,400+ specific chiropractic adjustments delivered at our practice since 2009. When you choose Family Chiropractic, you're choosing care that doesn't guess, doesn't generalize, and doesn't settle for temporary relief.
Request your appointment today and find out what specific corrective care actually feels like.
The Gonstead chiropractic method begins with a fundamental principle: the pelvis is the foundation of the spine. Just as a building requires a level base to remain structurally stable, the spine requires a level pelvic foundation to maintain proper alignment above it. When the pelvic girdle becomes misaligned, it sets off a chain reaction of compensations throughout the entire spinal column.
These misalignments place uneven pressure on the discs between vertebrae, which can cause them to swell or protrude. When a misaligned vertebra compresses the nerves running through that area, the result is what chiropractors call a subluxation. Because the nervous system regulates every organ, tissue, and cell in the body, the effects of a subluxation extend far beyond where the pain is felt, affecting function throughout the entire body.
The Gonstead method is specifically designed to locate and correct these subluxations with the highest possible level of precision.
The Five-Point Gonstead Analysis
What distinguishes the Gonstead method from most other methods is the depth of analysis that takes place before any adjustment is made. Every patient at Family Chiropractic receives a thorough evaluation using five specific diagnostic criteria:
Together, these five data points give a complete, objective picture of exactly where the spine needs to be corrected and how.
The Gonstead Adjustment
After completing the five-point analysis, the certified Gonstead chiropractor delivers an adjustment that is specific, precise, and targeted only at the verified subluxation. Unlike techniques that apply broad-area manipulation, the Gonstead technique addresses only the exact segment that needs correction. No unnecessary twisting. No general rotation. Just a biomechanically sound, precisely directed thrust to the right segment, in the right direction, with the right amount of force.
This is what produces the lasting results that Family Chiropractic patients experience. When the right segment is corrected in the right way, the body responds, and the correction holds. See how this compares to traditional chiropractic approaches here.
Most chiropractic techniques apply general manipulation across broad areas of the spine based primarily on where a patient reports discomfort. The Gonstead technique uses a five-point analysis system, including Nervoscope readings, static and motion palpation, postural assessment, and full-spine X-rays, to identify exactly which segments need to be corrected and how. Adjustments are then applied only to those specific segments, with no unnecessary force elsewhere. That level of specificity produces more precise corrections and more durable results than general manipulation approaches.
Not every chiropractor is trained in the Gonstead chiropractic method. Because it requires significantly more time to perform and considerably more practice to master, many practitioners choose simpler, faster approaches instead. A certified Gonstead chiropractor has pursued the additional training and hands-on experience required to properly deliver the five-point analysis and specific adjustment the technique demands. At Family Chiropractic, our providers are trained and certified in the Gonstead system, which means precision and specificity are the standard for every patient at every visit, not the exception.
Gonstead chiropractic is effective across a wide range of conditions because it targets structural root causes rather than managing individual symptoms. Patients at Family Chiropractic seek Gonstead chiropractic care for chronic back and neck pain, migraines and headaches, sciatica, disc issues, poor posture, pediatric and prenatal concerns, and general nervous system dysfunction. Because the nervous system regulates every function in the body, correcting structural interference through the Gonstead method often produces results that extend well beyond where the original discomfort was felt.
Yes! While Family Chiropractic is a private-pay practice, many patients still receive reimbursement or have out-of-network benefits available to them. Our team can help you understand your coverage and discuss all financial options before beginning care.
Scheduling at Family Chiropractic is easy! We offer online scheduling to make the process as convenient as possible, and we're also happy to take your call at (724) 741-6080 during office hours. Whether you're coming in for yourself or scheduling for a family member, we make it simple to get started. We look forward to seeing you soon!