At My Chiropractic Place, we practise Gonstead chiropractic — one of the most thorough and specific techniques in chiropractic care. It is not a general adjustment. It is a structured, evidence-informed system that locates the exact vertebra causing your problem and corrects it with the least force necessary.
Our chiropractors, Dr Nam Nguyen and Dr David Addie, have practised Gonstead chiropractic in Melbourne for a combined 49 years. Both trained at RMIT University and have been members of the Australian Gonstead Chiropractic Society for over two decades. If you are looking for a Gonstead chiropractor in Melbourne, our clinics in Richmond and Caroline Springs are here to help.
Dr Clarence Gonstead (1898–1978) did not start his career in chiropractic. He trained as a mechanical engineer, and that background changed everything about how he approached the spine. He applied that engineering precision to the spine, developing a method built on anatomical study and biomechanical analysis rather than guesswork.
His philosophy was straightforward: find the problem, correct it specifically, and leave everything else alone. Only the vertebrae causing the issue are adjusted — with the least amount of force, as few times as necessary.
The demand for his care became so great that in 1964, Dr Gonstead built one of the world’s largest chiropractic clinics in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin. The clinic had a 105-seat reception area, three chiropractors working 16-hour days, and a private airstrip and hotel to accommodate patients who travelled from across the USA and the world.
Today, the Gonstead system is taught in universities across the globe and is considered by many practitioners to be the gold standard in chiropractic care.
The Gonstead adjustment aims to correct the subluxated vertebra without disturbing the bones around it. Every patient receives as much time as needed to locate the exact nature and position of their subluxation — nothing is rushed.
Where clinically indicated, spinal X-rays give us a clear view of your vertebral alignment, disc spacing, and joint integrity before any adjustment is made. This level of precision means your care is based on your spine, not a standard template.
Because the technique uses targeted, low-force corrections, it is suitable for patients of all ages — from teenagers and young adults to older patients with more complex spinal histories.
Before any adjustment is made, we complete a thorough five-step assessment. This is what separates Gonstead chiropractic from a general chiropractic visit.
While most people associate chiropractic care with back pain, spinal misalignment and nerve irritation can contribute to a range of conditions throughout the body. The Gonstead technique may help with:
Every patient’s presentation is different. Your assessment findings — not a standard package — determine the care you receive.
Your first visit to My Chiropractic Place follows the full Gonstead assessment process. Here is a straightforward look at what happens during a visit.
Step 1 — Consultation: We take a thorough history and talk through your symptoms, how long you have had them, and what you are hoping to achieve. There is no pressure to commit to anything before you understand what is going on.
Step 2 — Full Gonstead Assessment: We complete all five assessment steps — postural analysis, nervoscope reading, palpation, and X-ray where indicated. This takes the time it needs to take.
Step 3 — We Explain Your Findings: Before anything else happens, we walk you through exactly what we found, where the problem is, and why. You will leave this appointment understanding your spine better than when you arrived.
Step 4 — Your First Adjustment (If Appropriate): If an adjustment is clinically indicated, it will be specific, targeted, and based entirely on your assessment findings. You choose whether to proceed. You are never placed on a prepaid chiropractic care plan or pressured into ongoing care you have not asked for.
My Chiropractic Place has served Melbourne patients since 2005. Our Richmond clinic opened first, followed by Caroline Springs in 2007 — making Dr Nam Nguyen the first chiropractor to practise in that community.
Both clinics are set up to deliver the complete five-step Gonstead assessment, including on-site X-ray where clinically indicated. Our practitioners keep appointment availability open so that waiting times stay short. You can contact Dr Nam or Dr David directly — you will not be passed through a call centre or left waiting days for a reply.
Find out what is actually causing your pain — and what can be done about it. Book an appointment at My Chiropractic Place in Richmond or Caroline Springs, or call us on 03 9428 1836 to speak with one of our chiropractors before your first assessment.
You don’t have to keep guessing — or keep managing symptoms that keep coming back.
Our Gonstead chiropractors at My Chiropractic Place have been helping Melbourne patients with lower back pain since 2005. If you’re in Richmond, Caroline Springs, or anywhere across Melbourne, we’d be glad to see you.
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