Gonstead Meeting of the Minds-VII October 9-10, 2010MEETING OF THE MINDS-V . . . . INSPIRING!
By: Peter T. DeLoe, DC
The fifth annual Meeting of the Minds Seminar was held at Life West Chiropractic College on October 11th and 12th. The weekend began with a well-attended Friday evening student workshop. It was so popular that we had to break up into three different technique rooms (all stocked with Gonstead equipment!). The seventy–five-plus students had an experienced staff of more than twenty Gonstead doctors helping with specific Gonstead lumbar adjusting. As you can imagine, the feedback was fabulous!
Dr. Richard Burns began Saturday morning with a presentation that reflected not only his depth of insight into Gonstead chiropractic, but also his passion and knowledge of philosophy and how the Gonstead System embodies the chiropractic philosophy. What it means to be “specific,” “that something extra”, major and minor subluxations, the mental impulse and Gonstead evaluation procedures, were all integrated into a well organized and very well prepared presentation by an experienced educator. This presentation stimulated immediate participation amongst the fifty advanced Gonstead minds in the room and was the perfect primer for what was to come.
Dr. Brian Anderson was next with a very in-depth look at subluxation neurology. Dr. Anderson had the difficult job of explaining and illustrating how the Gonstead theory of subluxation affects the central nervous system, and thus the body. Explaining the importance of muscle spindle fibers; defining hemi-sphericity; refreshing our memory of the vestibulocerebellar system and the medial longitudinal fasciculus; then, tying all of that (and a lot more) together and relating it to a Gonstead subluxation and adjustment, is no easy task! But by the end of his very well orchestrated presentation, we were all prepared to hear how it could be applied in practice.
Dr. Trent Bachman enthusiastically shared how he integrates chiropractic neurology and Gonstead Chiropractic. Using simple exam tests, such as, consensual light reflex, testing the extra-ocular muscles and Romberg’s test (among others), he explained how to assess brain imbalance (hemi-sphericity), and why it is important to balance the brain before the adjustment. He used demonstrations and his own clinical cases to educate us on how important and how simple this valuable knowledge can be implemented in practice. Dr. Anderson and Dr. Bachman’s two hour lecture was incredibly insightful and gave added meaning to Dr. Gonstead’s simple advice that Dr. Burns reminded us of, “You’s boys adjust too many places, too hard, too often”.
Following lunch, we heard from Dr. Greg Plaugher who brilliantly weaved the politics of research, his own practice experience, recommendations for GCSS’s future and reflections of life in chiropractic, into a thought-provoking, and at times, hilarious discussion. It is clear that Dr. Plaugher is so full of knowledge and experience that you sense it would take multiple volumes of texts to organize just a fraction of it. His text, better known as “The Purple Book” and the publication of Gonstead research articles is a monumental contribution to our profession. His presence at MOM V was valuable and greatly appreciated.
Dr. Ed Cremata followed and proved to us all, that he is a true “warrior” for Gonstead Chiropractic! He shared with us the value of past GCSS research and how it has positioned our technique as a leader in the field. He also pointed out the necessity and importance of future studies. As an expert witness often involved in court cases, Dr. Cremata advised us on practice procedures and the importance of staying informed. Having never met or head Dr. Cremata speak, I can only say, I was thoroughly impressed. His wealth of knowledge and insight, combined with his quick, witty sense of humor was a pleasure to witness.
To harness the ideas of all the great minds in attendance, both Dr. Charlie Martin and Dr. Mark Lopes encouraged the group to discuss what they think is important for GCSS to perform research on. Having a critical thinker and a Gonstead doctor so well versed on research as Dr. Lopes, was not only a “must” for the discussion, but also a confirmation to those in attendance that he is the ‘right guy for the job’ to lead the research committee. Dr. Charlie Martin not only made valuable contributions in presentations and questions throughout the weekend, but he also kept the seminar as on time as possible. He is the ‘master mind’ responsible for developing the seminar and deserves recognition well beyond this article. Thank you, Charlie!
Getting us back into the diagnostic science of the subluxation complex, Mr. David Marcarian from MyoVision® gave a polished and informative look at static and dynamic surface EMG. He presented multiple case studies, including his own following a 150mph crash! His crash was documented by a video camera mounted inside his car and was able to replay it, in slow motion, with music, as his Corvette rolled down the race track (he walked away from it)! All were entertained and amazed at the length some will go to sell equipment! Kidding aside, Mr. Marcarian proved the value of this science not only in court but to our patients.
To close the already informative day, Dr. Bryan Gatterman, DACBR presented a detailed look at degenerative joint disease and disc dysfunction with MRI and digital motion X-ray. Viewing the digital motion x-ray, I was amazed at the clarity of the image and the incredible relevance it has for us as specific chiropractors. There is no doubt that Dr. Gonstead would have had one of those in his practice!! I would urge all of you to look into and learn about this technology. I think you will agree that it is incredible!
With day one concluded, we were all treated to a cocktail reception in the school. With good spirits (beer and wine) and good fuel (appetizers), the camaraderie in the room was spectacular amongst Gonstead doctors from all over the country, from all Gonstead organizations.
Day Two began with another Gonstead veteran and a mentor of mine, Dr. Gary Pennebaker. Dr. Pennebaker started with the very noble and important plea to save the Gonstead Clinic. After nearly fifty years of service, this testament to the greatness of our systems of chiropractic is in dire need of attention and restoration. Even sadder is the fact that a Walgreen’s drug store now occupies the space that the front of the Karakahl Inn once occupied!! Please, please go to http://gonsteadmthoreb-gpg.com and get on board to save Dr. Gonstead’s and “our clinic.” Next, Dr. Pennebaker went into an in depth look at the art, science and philosophy of Gonstead Chiropractic. Having a DPhCS, a GCSS Diplomate, and thirty-plus years in practice, he combined all this experience and knowledge to explain the importance of finding the major subluxation and adjusting one or two segments, as opposed to adjusting three or more on a single visit. A video of Dr. Gonstead was shown to drive this point home. In it, he stated that the healing power of the body is limited like a car battery—the more you do, the more you draw that power away from the healing of the major subluxation.
Next, Dr. Steven Tanaka showed us some historical photographs to illustrate not only the contributions that Dr. Gonstead made, but to give us a timeline of Dr. Gonstead’s career. Not only was this fascinating but it also demonstrated why Dr. Tanaka is the recipient of this year’s most prestigious GCSS award - The C.S. Gonstead Lifetime Achievement Award! Dr. Tanaka is a true “behind the scenes warrior” who gives his all and wants nothing in return. Speaking for the Board of Directors and the entire Gonstead community, we congratulate and whole heartedly thank you, Dr. Tanaka!
Last but far from least, we were treated to the reminiscence of Dr. John Rosser. Dr. Rosser shared with us his career as a Gonstead doctor and the three years he spent with Dr. Gonstead from 1966 to 1969 at the Gonstead Clinic in Mt. Horeb. The accounts of Dr. Gonstead’s amazing practice never get old. Six- days-a-week, three-sessions-a-day, 8am until after midnight, twenty plus new patients a day, hundreds of patient visits-a-day, remarkable case studies, all walks of life (including dogs, cows, etc…), patients from all over the world, etc, etc. It is the stuff of legend and Dr. Rosser delivered it all with clarity and conviction. He had us all wanting more!
With planes to catch and families and patients to get back to, the annual Meeting of the Minds reluctantly concluded. If you have not attended one of these inspiring seminars, I would say that you have not been to anything like it. So mark your calendars for October 10th and 11th 2009, and we will see you at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Minneapolis, Minnesota for MOM-VI!