About Gonstead and Centre Chiropractic

The story about Centre Chiropractic is a long and historic one. Clarence Gonstead created the Gonstead Technique for adjusting the spine and joints in the mid-1900s. As a child, he suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, so his parents searched for alternatives when medicine offered no relief. Eventually, they discovered chiropractic care, which brought him dramatic improvement and inspired his lifelong mission to help others.

Afterward, he attended the Palmer School of Chiropractic using the G.I. Bill following World War II. From that point on, he dedicated his life to learning how to help people through specific, scientific chiropractic methods. To gain deeper knowledge, he even studied hundreds of cadavers, improving his understanding of the human body.

Over time, his practice grew very popular, attracting patients from far away. At the same time, chiropractors in nearby states noticed their patients traveling long distances to see Dr. Gonstead. Because of this demand, he built an 8,000-square-foot clinic, ensuring more people could receive care. Later, he added a hotel and airplane landing strip, making it easier for international visitors to reach him.

Throughout his career, Dr. Gonstead treated over a million patients. Consequently, his work transformed chiropractic care and influenced medical understanding of the body. For instance, his discoveries led Gray’s Anatomy to reclassify the sacroiliac joints as movable, highlighting one of his many lasting contributions.

What Makes Gonstead and Centre Chiropractic Different

Gonstead chiropractic has several features that make it different from other types of chiropractic care. First, it helps keep the body’s two main nerve systems—the sympathetic and parasympathetic—in balance. Next, it is very precise, adjusting only the bones that need correction. Finally, it focuses on moving each vertebra into the correct position on its disk, rather than just moving nearby joints.

For patients, this means Dr. Matthew does not twist the spine or turn the neck during adjustments. Instead, his movements are gentle and exact. One clear way to recognize a Gonstead adjustment is the seated neck adjustment, which is a hallmark of this method. While many other techniques focus on small joints, Gonstead doctors understand that the disks between the bones are most important to address.

Dr. Matthew chose to study Gonstead chiropractic because it follows clear clinical and ethical rules, making it safer and better for patients. Even as a student, he attended dozens of Gonstead seminars designed for practicing doctors, in addition to his regular classes. Today, he continues using the Gonstead method because he believes it is the safest and most effective way to help patients feel better and stay healthy.

Gonstead Clinical Studies Society (outside link)

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About Dr. Matthew

Dr. Matthew grew up in New England and graduated from a performing arts high school in California. Afterward, he studied at UCLA. Although he was interested in physics and marine biology, he earned his bachelor’s degree in theater, film, and television design in 1992.

Following college, he toured America for eight years as a professional musician. When he was not on tour, he worked in the entertainment industry. Eventually, he left the band to settle down, raise a family, grow his design business, and explore consciousness studies. For ten years, he managed parts of a large design company while also building his fine art business.

By 2000, even though he was already a life coach and minister, Dr. Matthew wanted to serve people more directly. After reflecting on frustrating experiences with traditional health care and positive results with chiropractic, he decided to make chiropractic his career. In 2002, he began studying at Cleveland Chiropractic College in Los Angeles, where he first learned the Gonstead method.

A Serious Education

Dr. Matthew excelled in school and received the Alumni Association’s Student of the Year Award. He also organized Children’s Health and Wellness Expos, earned certification from the International Chiropractic Pediatrics Association, and visited more than one hundred chiropractors to plan his future practice.

In 2003, he began a two-year master’s program in Spiritual Psychology at the University of Santa Monica, focusing on Consciousness, Health, and Healing. During that time, he was elected to the student council and traveled to Washington, D.C., to support pro-chiropractic legislation.

Dr. Matthew was chosen from more than eighty interns for the competitive “Intern Exchange Program” at USC Medical School. During the program, he worked directly with USC doctors and interns while caring for patients. He graduated cum laude as salutatorian in December 2005.

Since then, he has attended over twenty-five professional seminars, focusing mainly on Gonstead and ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatrics Association) training. He has also studied rehabilitation, exercise, nutrition, extremity adjustments, and the mind-body connection. Despite this variety, his main goal remains supporting the nervous system and helping patients live healthy, full lives.

Life in Boaslburg / About Centre Chiropractic

Dr. Matthew lives in Boalsburg with his family and actively participates in community groups such as Rotary and Toastmasters. He has also served as a Harris Township Commissioner. In addition, he has lectured at Penn State in Kinesiology and Health Policy Administration, taught in the University of Santa Monica’s master’s programs, and written health columns for the Centre Daily Times and Voices of Central PA.

Over the years, Dr. Matthew has been deeply grateful for his first twenty years serving Centre County. Looking ahead, he is excited to continue caring for his community for many more decades.

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About Centre Chiropractic

Centre Chiropractic was founded in May 2006 to serve the health needs of central Pennsylvania residents. Our mission is to provide skilled, caring chiropractic care in a warm and welcoming environment.

Our office hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
We also offer appointments on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays by request.
This is because working with your schedule and making visits easy is important to us.

Both cash and insured patients are welcome. Our office is credentialed with many of the most popular insurance plans in the area.

If your insurance is not listed above, please contact our office for more information.

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