Gonstead Chiropractic in Waukee, IA
The Gonstead technique is the foundation of how Dr. Tyler Molstre practices at True Life Wellness. It is a thorough, highly specific system of chiropractic analysis and adjusting that locates exactly where your spine is not moving or aligning properly, and then corrects only those areas, by hand, with precision. With more than 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Tyler uses Gonstead care to help patients of all ages throughout Waukee, Clive, and West Des Moines find lasting relief instead of temporary fixes.
What Is the Gonstead Technique?
The Gonstead technique was developed by Dr. Clarence Gonstead, who practiced chiropractic for more than five decades and built one of the largest chiropractic clinics in the world in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. His system is based on a simple principle: the spine and pelvis work together as a foundation, much like the foundation of a building. When one part of that foundation shifts or stops moving correctly, the rest of the body adapts, and those adaptations can lead to pain, stiffness, nerve irritation, and poor posture over time.
Rather than adjusting the whole spine in a general way, Gonstead chiropractors spend most of their time on analysis. The goal is to find the specific vertebra or pelvic segment that is the true source of the problem, understand the direction it has shifted, and deliver an adjustment designed for that exact segment. This is why Gonstead care is often described as one of the most specific forms of chiropractic care available.
How Gonstead Analysis Works at True Life Wellness
Specific adjustments require specific information. Before Dr. Tyler recommends any care, he gathers a complete picture of how your spine is functioning. The Gonstead system uses five criteria that, when combined, point to the areas that need correction and the areas that should be left alone.
1. Visualization
Dr. Tyler observes your posture, how you stand, sit, and move, and any visible imbalances such as a high shoulder, uneven hips, a head that tilts forward, or areas of muscle tension. These clues often reflect what is happening in the spine underneath.
2. Instrumentation
The Gonstead system uses instrumentation that reads temperature differences along both sides of the spine. Uneven heat patterns can indicate inflammation and nerve irritation around a specific vertebra. Instrumentation adds objective information to the exam and can be repeated on later visits to help track how your spine is responding.
3. Static Palpation
With you sitting or lying still, Dr. Tyler feels along the spine for swelling, tenderness, muscle tightness, and changes in the position of individual vertebrae.
4. Motion Palpation
Next, he feels how each segment moves as your spine bends and rotates. A vertebra that is stuck, or one that moves too much, behaves differently from its neighbors, and motion palpation helps identify it.
5. X-Ray and Motion Study Analysis
When clinically appropriate, full spine X-rays and motion study X-rays are taken in our office. Full spine images show the alignment of the entire spine and pelvis, disc spaces, curvature, and the angle and position of each vertebra. Motion studies show how segments move as you bend, which helps reveal joints that are restricted. X-rays also help rule out conditions where an adjustment would not be appropriate. Dr. Tyler reviews these findings with you so you can see exactly what is happening and why a particular area is being adjusted.
The Specificity of the Gonstead Adjustment
Once the analysis is complete, the adjustment itself is precise and controlled. Dr. Tyler positions you so that the targeted segment is isolated, using the seated, side-lying, and table positions the Gonstead system is known for, depending on the area being corrected. Each adjustment is delivered by hand in a specific direction to restore normal position and motion to that segment, without unnecessary twisting of the rest of the spine.
Because only the areas that need care are adjusted, many patients find Gonstead adjustments comfortable, and the technique can be adapted for children, expecting mothers, athletes, and older adults.
How Gonstead Differs From General Chiropractic Care
Many chiropractic approaches adjust broad regions of the spine, often using rotational or “twisting” movements, and may adjust the same areas on every visit regardless of what has changed. Gonstead care is different in several important ways:
- Analysis before adjusting: Every adjustment is based on findings from visualization, instrumentation, palpation, and imaging when appropriate, rather than a routine sequence.
- Segment-specific correction: The adjustment targets the exact vertebra or pelvic segment identified as the source of the problem.
- Less unnecessary movement: Patient positioning isolates the area being adjusted, so healthy joints are not forced to move.
- Attention to the foundation: The pelvis and lower spine are evaluated carefully, because imbalance at the base often affects the neck, shoulders, and head above it.
- Measurable progress: Findings are rechecked over time so changes in your spine can be tracked rather than guessed.
Gonstead Care Backed by More Than 20 Years of Experience
Dr. Tyler Molstre has practiced chiropractic for more than 20 years, and the Gonstead system is central to how he evaluates and cares for every patient. Gonstead is a technique that rewards experience: reading X-rays and motion studies, interpreting instrumentation, and feeling subtle differences in how segments move all sharpen over thousands of patient visits. That experience allows Dr. Tyler to give an honest assessment of whether he can help you, and how much. If he accepts your case, True Life Wellness offers a 100% money-back guarantee.
Learn more about Dr. Tyler and the team on our Meet the Team page, or read what patients say on our testimonials page.
Conditions Commonly Addressed With Gonstead Care
Because Gonstead analysis looks for the underlying structural cause of symptoms, it is used for a wide range of spinal and nerve-related complaints. Patients at True Life Wellness commonly seek Gonstead care for:
- Back pain, including lower back pain, disc problems, and stiffness
- Neck pain and tech neck posture
- Sciatica and radiating leg pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Scoliosis evaluation and ongoing management
- Shoulder pain and knee pain
- Auto injuries and whiplash
- Work injuries and repetitive strain
You can view the full list on our Conditions Treated page.
Gonstead Care for Children and Pregnancy
The precision of the Gonstead technique makes it well suited to gentle care. For infants and children, Dr. Tyler uses very light, specific pressure appropriate for a child’s size and stage of development. Learn more on our pediatric chiropractic page.
During pregnancy, Gonstead care is combined with the Webster Technique to support pelvic balance and comfort, using pregnancy-friendly tables and positioning. Visit our prenatal and postnatal chiropractic page for more information.
What to Expect at Your First Gonstead Visit
Your first visit begins with a no-charge consultation with Dr. Tyler, usually 15 to 25 minutes, to discuss your health concerns and goals. If care is appropriate, your assessment includes full spine X-rays, motion study X-rays, a chiropractic exam, and a functional exam of your feet and posture, which takes about 30 minutes.
On your second visit, ideally within a day or two, Dr. Tyler reviews your findings, explains whether he believes he can help, and outlines a care plan if so. Routine adjustment visits are efficient, with most patients in and out in about 15 minutes. Read more on our New Patients page, and ask about our new patient special.
Gonstead Chiropractor Serving Waukee, Clive, and West Des Moines
True Life Wellness is located on University Avenue at the junction of Waukee, Clive, and West Des Moines, making Gonstead care easy to reach for families across the western Des Moines metro. Learn more about care for patients in Clive and patients in West Des Moines.
Gonstead Chiropractic FAQs
What is Gonstead chiropractic?
Gonstead chiropractic is a specific system of spinal analysis and hands-on adjusting developed by Dr. Clarence Gonstead. It uses visualization, instrumentation, static and motion palpation, and X-ray analysis when appropriate to find the exact segments that need correction, then adjusts only those areas.
Is the Gonstead technique gentle?
Yes. Because Gonstead adjustments target only the segments that need care, and patients are positioned to isolate that area, most patients find them comfortable. The technique is adapted for children, pregnant women, and older adults.
Why are X-rays used in Gonstead care?
When clinically appropriate, full spine and motion study X-rays show the alignment, curvature, disc spaces, and movement of the spine. They help Dr. Tyler determine exactly which segments to adjust, the direction of correction, and whether an adjustment is appropriate at all.
How is Gonstead different from other chiropractic techniques?
Many approaches adjust general regions of the spine, often with rotational movements. Gonstead care relies on detailed analysis before adjusting, corrects specific segments by hand, avoids unnecessary twisting, and rechecks findings over time to measure progress.
What does the instrumentation measure?
Gonstead instrumentation reads temperature differences along both sides of the spine. Uneven readings can point to inflammation and nerve irritation near a specific vertebra, adding objective information to the exam and helping track your response to care.
How long has Dr. Tyler Molstre practiced the Gonstead technique?
Dr. Tyler Molstre has more than 20 years of clinical chiropractic experience, and the Gonstead system is central to how he evaluates and adjusts every patient at True Life Wellness.
Do you see Gonstead patients from Clive and West Des Moines?
Yes. Our office is located on University Avenue at the junction of Waukee, Clive, and West Des Moines, and we care for patients from all three communities and the surrounding western Des Moines metro.
Schedule Your Gonstead Chiropractic Evaluation
If you are ready for chiropractic care that starts with a thorough analysis and focuses on correcting the true source of your symptoms, call True Life Wellness at (515) 225-2266 or request an appointment online. Your consultation with Dr. Tyler is always free.