Daily Visit – What to Expect During Treatment?

Our Gonstead Chiropractor, Dr. Mark Jason Bernardo from Sacramento and Elk Grove, CA will have you wear a gown for a clear view of your skin, posture, and movement range. They will also examine your spine to spot any noticeable deformities or misalignments.

During therapy, Gonstead chiropractors refrain from twisting the spine, opting instead for accurate movements to adjust specific vertebrae. They rely on five essential criteria to determine the right spots for adjustment, and these are:

1. Instrumentation: Gonstead chiropractors use an instrument called a nervoscope designed to identify heat along the spinal column, a symptom commonly aligned with nerve pressure and inflammation.
2. Static Palpation: If nerves get squeezed and spinal joints don’t work properly, they can cause swelling, also known as edema, and muscle stiffness in the affected area. We will use our fingertips to examine your back and neck for these symptoms while you remain seated still.
3. Motion Palpation: When spinal segments malfunction, they can “lock up” or become too loose. By applying gentle movements to the spine in various directions, we can diagnose spinal segments that are either improperly immobilized or excessively mobile. 
4. Visualization: When evaluating your condition and determining the best course of action, we carefully assess any irregularities in your posture and walking pattern, taking into consideration all other relevant factors. This holistic approach ensures that important decisions regarding your care are made with utmost consideration. 
5. X-Ray Analysis (excluding pregnancy): By utilizing the four analysis criteria mentioned earlier, we are able to identify the specific spinal segment(s) that are experiencing dysfunction and accurately pinpoint the location of nerve compression. Spinal x-rays play a crucial role in creating a detailed blueprint of your spine, providing valuable insights on how to precisely adjust the affected spinal segments. Additionally, X-rays are beneficial for detecting fractures, postural distortions, arthritic conditions, and various other factors that contribute to your overall spinal health.

Using the five criteria mentioned, we can pinpoint the exact spinal segment and nerve affected by your condition. By considering your comprehensive health history, we can provide a precise adjustment to alleviate nerve pressure caused by subluxation and restore optimal body function. Gonstead chiropractors receive additional specialized training beyond chiropractic school, including seminars, studying adjusting techniques, analysis, and specialized case management for various health conditions.

What to Expect After Treatment?

Not all side effects are bad, and in fact, some chiropractic side effects can actually signify that your treatment is working, even if they may feel weird.

Soreness and Aching

After a chiropractic adjustment, it is common to experience mild soreness and muscle aches, especially if the chiropractor performed muscle work. This discomfort typically diminishes or disappears within 24 hours. If the soreness persists for longer, it is advisable to contact your doctor. A similar sensation to that of a deep tissue massage may be felt. If you are being treated for an injury, like a dislocated joint, you might feel some mild soreness at the site that was worked on, which is normal.

Changes in Bowel Movement

Chiropractic care can sometimes affect the digestive system, and you may notice improvements in bowel movements after an adjustment if you have been feeling constipated recently.

Continued care is crucial even after your Gonstead chiropractic treatment ends. Dr. Mark Jason Bernardo will suggest a personalized schedule of further care. This is to prevent your condition from returning and to keep your spine healthy. Continued care enables the chiropractor to track your condition and make needed adjustments.

Just as you regularly visit your dentist to avoid dental issues, you should also continue regular chiropractic visits to prevent spinal deterioration. Follow the chiropractor’s advice for continued and home care for the best results.

Gonstead chiropractic care is a holistic health approach with many benefits. If you’re seeking a natural, effective treatment for your health issues in Sacramento and Elk Grove, CA, this type of care might be suitable for you.