Chiropractic: Technique, Research, and Videos

What is Chiropractic?

Technique, Research, and Video Demonstrations, Part 1

In addition to introducing the idea of chiropractic techniques, and research on its benefits, this page offers a dozen custom videos of Dr. Matthew adjusting patients so you can see what the process is like.

Chiropractic combines science, art, and philosophy. Therefore, it offers a unique approach among healing practices. Because it considers the body holistically, chiropractic addresses both symptoms and root causes.

The Science

First, chiropractors identify which joints are misaligned. Then, they determine which joints need adjustment. To do this, they check joint movement, swelling, sensitivity, and signs of nerve pressure. While the first three signs are easy to detect, nerve pressure is more debated.

In addition, chiropractors use tools developed over the last century to detect nerve pressure. Many of these tools are well-researched, so courts even accept them as evidence. Moreover, chiropractors use orthopedic and neurological tests, just like other doctors, to confirm nerve issues.

Because nerves compression is a significant injury, proper treatment is essential. Only chiropractors and osteopaths learn to adjust the spine. However, modern osteopaths mostly rely on medical treatments instead of adjustments. Consequently, if a nerve is pinched, taking a pill may hide the pain but does not fix the problem. On the other hand, an adjustment can relieve pressure, which addresses both the pain and the root cause.

The Art

Furthermore, chiropractic involves the skill of adjusting joints. Every joint contains nerves and blood vessels. However, spinal joints are special because spinal nerves exit the spinal cord there. Then, these nerves travel to every part of the body. As a result, spinal adjustments can influence overall body function and health.

Finally, chiropractic combines science and skill. Because it addresses both structure and function, it offers more than symptom relief. In this way, patients can experience lasting benefits rather than temporary fixes.

There are over 200 named techniques for adjusting the spine. Each technique differs in philosophy, science, or style. Consequently, one technique may work better for some people than others. Therefore, if you see Dr. Matthew or another chiropractor and do not get results, doubt the chiropractor—not chiropractic itself.

In addition, some medical doctors take weekend seminars to learn basic adjustments. They do this because they respect the results chiropractors achieve in both practice and research. Likewise, massage therapists and physical therapists are legally trying to add spinal adjustments to their practice. As a patient, ask yourself: would you prefer someone trained for six years or a weekend seminar?

The Philosophy

Moreover, chiropractic philosophy believes the body can self-regulate and self-heal. This idea, called “Innate Intelligence,” means your body knows how to care for itself better than any doctor. Similarly, medicine calls this vis medicatrix naturae, or “the healing power of nature.”

However, chiropractic differs from medicine in approach. Chiropractors remove nerve interference to help the body heal naturally. In contrast, medicine often adds external substances, like drugs, to fix deficiencies. Therefore, chiropractic is more natural and conservative. Although some chronic conditions can limit healing, most of the time the body can heal itself. Furthermore, introducing drugs can cause side effects, new symptoms, or imbalances, which may require more drugs. Consequently, natural healing avoids many complications.

In fact, the body maintains balance among minerals, vitamins, proteins, neurotransmitters, immune cells, and toxins. Introducing drugs challenges this balance because they are foreign and sometimes toxic. Hence, we have traditionally called the study of drugs toxicology.

Chiropractors focus on helping the body use its innate ability. Granted, some chiropractors claim adjustments can cure serious conditions, but the true miracle is the body’s natural healing when it functions properly. Therefore, after an emergency, such as an accident, chiropractic care ensures your nervous system works to support faster recovery. Proper function, not symptom removal, leads to true health.

Finally, this philosophy works regardless of belief in a Creator or evolution. Either way, humans are not born with a drug deficiency.

About Gonstead Chiropractic

Gonstead Technique, Research, and Video Demonstrations, Part 2

Furthermore, Clarence Gonstead developed the Gonstead technique in the mid-20th century. He discovered chiropractic while seeking relief from rheumatoid arthritis after medicine failed. Inspired, he studied at the Palmer School of Chiropractic using the G.I. Bill.

Dr. Gonstead focused on correcting subluxations and dissected hundreds of cadavers to understand anatomy and biomechanics. As a result, his practice grew quickly, attracting patients from far away. Eventually, he built an airplane landing strip and a hotel next to his clinic to serve visitors. Over his lifetime, Dr. Gonstead treated over a million patients. Moreover, he influenced the chiropractic profession and anatomy studies, including getting Gray’s Anatomy to classify the sacroiliac joints as movable.

First, Gonstead chiropractic emphasizes balancing the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. This approach helps with pathology and visceral complaints.

Next, Gonstead practitioners focus on patient management with fewer adjustments. Most chiropractors mobilize the entire spine, but Gonstead adjusts only what is necessary. Consequently, specificity guides both scientific methods and excellent clinical care.

Moreover, Gonstead chiropractic emphasizes biomechanics. Doctors adjust vertebrae into their correct disk positions rather than just the facet joints at the back of the joint. Therefore, patients will not experience unnecessary twisting or rotation during adjustments. The most common Gonstead identifier is the seated cervical (neck) adjustment. While most techniques address facet problems, Gonstead focuses on the disk’s role in subluxation.

Dr. Matthew studied Gonstead chiropractic in school because early curriculum weeks revealed superior clinical and ethical protocols. In addition, he attended dozens of seminars outside school, believing this technique provides the best care. However, he continues learning to adopt better methods if they emerge.

Gonstead Clinical Studies Society (outside link)

The Research

Technique, Extensive Research, and Video Demonstrations, Part 3

Despite limited funding, chiropractic research is growing quickly. Pharmaceutical and medical equipment companies often oppose these studies.

Consequently, we have summarized research in a format useful for patients. First, we present large-scale studies, many from government agencies, evaluating safety, effectiveness, and cost efficiency. Then, we provide a transcription of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners’ Practice Analysis of Chiropractic 2010, including major research findings from recent years. Finally, we list links to online studies organized by healthcare topic.

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