By Hillary Gavan
For StatelineBusiness

ROCKTON - Gunderson Clinic of Chiropractic has a new 5,000-square-foot building at 506 S. Blackhawk Boulevard.

Completed in October, the new brick facility features a complete X-ray facility, six adjustment rooms and plenty of parking.

The new building is a symbol of all the growth of the family owned business. It was founded in 1977 by Dwight Gunderson at its first location at 699 S. Blackhawk Boulevard. Dwight Gunderson is the owner and employs his son, chiropractor Jeremy Gunderson. The youngest son, Rhett Gunderson, is currently finishing up chiropractic school at Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa. When he graduates in 2010, Rhett Gunderson will join his dad and brother.

Jeremy Gunderson enjoys working for the family business. He graduated in October, 2001 and went straight to work. He said he wanted to be a chiropractor ever since high school.

"I enjoyed studying science and human anatomy, but I didn't want to be a surgeon. My dad enjoyed what he was doing. He helped quite a few people and he enjoyed it," Jeremy Gunderson said.

Now that he's a full-time chiropractor Jeremy Gunderson likes to see the results of a spinal adjustment. Many times, he said, the chiropractor is the patient's last hope after taking medication to mask symptoms, but not being able to find the root of the pain.

The top health problems adults report are lower back pain, sciatica or neck pain radiating to the arm. Children sometimes can be treated for ear infections and colds by a spinal readjustment.

Accidents, injuries or repetitive stress can weaken joints. Everyone from high school athletes to newborn babies can have issues with spinal misalignment. Sometimes, for example, Jeremy Gunderson said babies who were born via a C-section sometimes need treatment for their spine or hip displasia.

In addition to spinal adjustments, Jeremy Gunderson has adjusted the jaw, wrists, ankles, knees and elbows. He uses a nervoscope to detect heat. He can then X-ray the problem area and determine the appropriate response.

"If there is any pressure on a nerve it will measure it on the gauge. You can run it along babies or adults," Jeremy Gunderson said.

Gunderson Chiropractic uses the Gonstead technique, a specific, hands-on, full-spine method. The method is based on the concept that changes in one area of the spine, whether functional or organic, can produce biomechanical and neurophysical changes in other areas of the spine.

Jeremy Gunderson's mother, Debbie Gunderson, does the book work at the business. There are four receptionists and an office manager at the business.

Gunderson married his wife, Tara, in 2003. They have two daughters, Brynn, 3, and new baby Kate.