Frequently Asked Questions

Applied kinesiology looks at health as three different components that all interrelate to keep the body balanced. Applied Kinesiology looks at the structure, chemistry, and the mental well-being of a person. An Applied Kinesiologist is an expert at human anatomy, requiring years of study and practice, to gather the knowledge necessary to understand bone structure, musculature, the attachments and placements of tendons and ligaments that hold muscle and bone together, the pathways in the body where the circulatory vessels run, the locations of nerves and impingements on their flow, which nerves affect the length of the muscles and which nerves stimulate the tendons to affect muscle strength/tightness/weakness, and finally how all the muscles work in patterns to keep the body stabilized and move it through space.

For example, a lat muscle attaches to the back of the shoulder on one end and to the sacrum or tail bone on the other. If the attachment at the tail end has nerve interference or micro-tears or circulation problems or the tail bone is misaligned affecting the body’s ability to allow that muscle to function right than it can lead to a shoulder problem over time and especially with an athlete who stresses their pelvis every day working out. This is why sometimes a shoulder problem needs pelvic balancing to heal and why all the best efforts of an art that looks only at shoulder structure can never fix or figure it out. Sometimes what seems far away and unrelated can be the true cause of physical impairment, and addressing it will stabilize the body and allow it to heal.

Lastly, an Applied Kinesiologist needs to be an expert at human physiology. This means the doctor needs to know all the organs and glands, what their functions are, what they produce and how they interrelate with each other. This takes countless hours of dedication to learn and build on. There needs to be an understanding of the digestive organs and how they break food down into nutrients that nourish the body so it can heal, and give the organs and glands what they require to produce hormones, as well as other elements the body needs in order to maintain a high level of function.

Our unique approach to healthcare sets us apart from other chiropractic and healthcare clinics. Our services extend far beyond traditional chiropractic as we utilize our training in Applied Kinesiology to pinpoint the root causes of your issues.
Many of our patients are surprised to learn that we treat so many different conditions besides back and neck pain. While as chiropractic physicians we see excellent results in the treatment of back and neck pain, our additional training in Applied Kinesiology also allows us to treat a wide variety of other issues such as: chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, arthritis, insomnia, vertigo, asthma, allergies, PMS, digestive problems, hormone imbalances, irritable bowel syndrome, gastrointestinal issues, and blood sugar imbalances.

Learn More

Chiropractic focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic improves health by manipulating these structures, especially the spinal column.

Doctors of chiropractic practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to healthcare that includes patient examination, diagnosis, and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills, are trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, and are qualified to provide nutritional, dietary, and lifestyle counseling, as well.

Applied Kinesiology (AK) is a solutions-based philosophy that includes chiropractic but also incorporates other complementary treatments into an integrated, unified approach to healing. This non-invasive system evaluates structural, chemical, and mental aspects of health using manual muscle-testing combined with other standard methods of diagnosis. AK is unique in the healing arts, and has become a dynamic movement in health care in its relatively short existence.

Fundamentally speaking, the brain and its extension, the spinal cord, along with the nerves coming off the spinal cord, control how your body works. Any trauma or prolonged interference to nerves produces aches and pains which are signs the body isn’t working right. Interference of nerve flow is a result of poor posture. Physical, chemical, and emotional stresses lead to poor posture causing the muscles of the spine to over-contract and lock the spinal joints in positions that pinch and interfere with nerve flow. Since the nerves feed the body, any prolonged interference will create ill health and eventually disease.

A thorough examination helps chiropractors find these locked spinal joints called subluxations. A manipulation utilizing precise force to the stuck spinal joints helps restore motion and allows the body to start healing itself. Health usually returns as repeated visits restore nervous system integrity. That’s why chiropractic care has helped millions get well and stay well over the years.

Our BioWellness exam is a compilation of over 44 tests designed to assess the body’s physiological functions in its present state.

Go to BioWellness/Lab Services Page

On your first visit you can expect a friendly relaxing office environment that is conducive to healing.

Brief Paperwork:
We have some brief paperwork for you to fill out. The paperwork provides us with general information about yourself and your condition. If you would like to pre-fill the new patient packet click the button below.

History:
Once the paperwork has been completed you will meet with the doctor to discuss your health related problems and concerns. The doctor will take time to listen to your story and then ask questions to better analyze your health issues.

Consultation:
The doctor will then consult you with any information pertinent to your specific case and discuss specific therapies and treatment plans to take care of your health needs.

Examination:
A number of specialized tests will be performed and any relating labs will be examined and correlated to the therapy.

Same-Day Treatment:
Once the doctor finishes reviewing any labs, images, or other paperwork relating to your case, you will be provided with your first treatment. This may include spinal and cranial manipulation, physical therapy, and/or other soft-tissue therapies.

Home Instructions:
Prior to leaving, you will be given specific instructions on what to avoid, or what to utilize at home to assist in your therapy. This may include ice or heat application, recommendations to avoid certain positions, activities, or workouts, as well as explanation of home exercises and/or stretches to assist you in the healing process.

New Patient Paperwork PDF

Follow-up visits will be similar to the first visit. An important part of all therapy treatment plans is patient education. Your doctor will talk with you about your condition every step of the way and may provide you with instructions for at-home protocols for you to follow.

Your doctor will continually re-examine and re-assess your progress as you undergo your treatments. Communication is important during your follow-up visits. If you experience any changes in your condition, be sure to share them with your doctor during your visits.

Each time you visit your doctor, tell him or her about:

  • Any signs or symptoms you fear may be a sign of recurrence
  • Any side effects that make daily life difficult, such as fatigue and pain
  • Any changes in your family medical history
  • Any other health problems you have

At the end of your visit, the doctor will sit down and discuss your progress with the current treatment plan along with identifying any lab testing or adjunct therapies which may be needed.

This answer would highly depend on the issue we are treating. For example, a chronic issue could take months to correct where as something like a sprained ankle or slipped disc could be fixed within 1 to 2 treatments. We believe in teaching our patients techniques to become as self-reliant as possible, and do not encourage over-dependence on the doctor. We provide several options for educating you about health via Facebook, our website, and the Dr. Gus blog.

To get the results you’re looking for, we offer a cutting-edge comprehensive, natural approach to healthcare. We will discuss which therapy or combination of therapies is right for you and your unique health problem. This helps you get better faster, and stay well longer.

While some of our patients with chronic, recurring conditions choose to receive ongoing care, most of our patients recover within several weeks or months and may choose to keep regular appointments for maintenance or anti-aging.

We accept most health insurance plans such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Medicare in our offices. Plans and coverage may vary per patient. If you would like our staff to pre-qualify your coverage please call or email us with the following information:

  • Patient name
  • Address
  • Date of birth
  • Plan name
  • Plan or group number

*Please allow us at least 72 hours prior to your visit.

We treat all age groups, ranging from infants to the elderly.

OFFICE HOURS

Monday
Closed


Tuesday
1:00pm - 6:00pm


Wednesday
9:00am - 6:00pm


Thursday
9:00am - 6:00pm


Friday
Closed


Saturday
9:00am - 2:00pm

Dr. Gus Advanced Health & Wellness Centers - Palos Heights
13301 S Ridgeland Ave #A
Palos Heights, IL 60463
(630) 410-2620