Dr. Alex goes beyond what many chiropractors consider a spinal assessment by conducting a thorough analysis of your spine using five criteria to detect the presence of the vertebral subluxation complex.
Visualization — Visualization is a way to cross reference all the other findings. Dr. Alex is an expert in looking for subtle changes in your posture and movement which could indicate any problems.
Instrumentation — The instrument of choice in the Gonstead System is the Nervoscope (pictured top right). The Nervoscope detects uneven distributions of heat along the spine which can be indicative of inflammation and nerve pressure. This instrument is guided down the length of your back and feels like two fingers gliding down each side of your spine.
Static Palpation — This is the process of palpating (or feeling) your spine in a static (or stationary) position. Dr. Alex will feel for the presence of edema (or swelling), tenderness and any abnormal texture or tightness in the muscles and other tissues of your back.
Motion Palpation — This process involves feeling the spine while moving and bending it at various angles. This enables Dr. Alex to determine how easily or difficult each segment in your spine moves in different directions.
X-Ray Analysis — X-ray films (picture on the right) enable Dr. Alex to visualize the entire structure of your spine. This is helpful in evaluating posture, joint and disc integrity, vertebral misalignments and ruling out any pathologies, or recent fractures that may be present or contributing to the patient’s condition. These full-spine radiographs are taken in the standing, weight-bearing position to fully substantiate the examination findings.