Dr. Michael Gontarek, DC, MSc, DACBN
Partner, Physical Medicine
Doctor of Chiropractic and Partner at Moonshot Medical and Performance. Leads all rehabilitation services with a focus on evidence-based care, root-cause diagnosis, and getting patients back to full function — not lifelong treatment plans.
ABOUT DR. MICHAEL
Dr. Michael Gontarek is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Partner at Moonshot Medical & Performance in Park Ridge, IL. He leads all rehabilitation services at the practice, including chiropractic care, dry needling, trigger point injections, shockwave therapy, physical rehabilitation, and IASTM (instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization).
In addition to his Doctor of Chiropractic degree, Dr. Michael holds a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition and is a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition (DACBN). This dual expertise allows him to integrate nutritional counseling into rehabilitation when metabolic factors contribute to pain, inflammation, or slow recovery.
He is certified in the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), an internationally recognized, evidence-based system for assessing and treating spinal and extremity conditions. The McKenzie Method emphasizes patient education and self-treatment — empowering patients to manage their own recovery rather than creating dependence on passive care.
Dr. Michael built the rehabilitation side of Moonshot Medical over four years before partnering with Tom and Niko to create the full medical and performance offering. His practice sits alongside Moonshot CrossFit, enabling seamless return-to-sport programs for patients transitioning from rehab back to full training.
CREDENTIALS & EDUCATION
DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC
DC Degree
MASTER OF SCIENCE
Clinical Nutrition (MSc)
DACBN
Diplomate, American Clinical Board of Nutrition
MCKENZIE METHOD CERTIFIED
Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT)
EVIDENCE-BASED REHAB
Root-cause diagnosis, not symptom management
NUTRITION + REHAB
Integrates clinical nutrition into rehabilitation programs
SERVICES LED
CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Evidence-based spinal care using the McKenzie Method for lasting results.
Learn More →DRY NEEDLING
Targeted trigger point release for chronic pain, muscle tension, and movement restriction.
Learn More →TRIGGER POINT INJECTIONS
Targeted injections for stubborn muscle knots and myofascial pain syndromes.
Learn More →SHOCKWAVE THERAPY
Acoustic wave technology for tendon injuries, plantar fasciitis, and chronic pain.
Learn More →PHYSICAL REHAB
Structured rehabilitation programs for injury recovery and return-to-sport progressions.
Learn More →IASTM
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization for scar tissue, adhesions, and fascia restrictions.
NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING
Clinical nutrition guidance for inflammation, recovery, and metabolic health — backed by a Master's degree.
RETURN TO SPORT
Rehab-to-training bridge programs in partnership with Moonshot CrossFit next door.
HIS APPROACH
The goal is to resolve the problem — not to create a lifetime patient. Most people should see significant improvement within 6-8 visits.
Dr. Michael practices evidence-based rehabilitation focused on finding the root cause, not just chasing symptoms. Using the McKenzie Method, he empowers patients with the knowledge and exercises to manage their own recovery. When nutrition plays a role in pain, inflammation, or slow healing, he integrates clinical nutrition into the treatment plan — because what's happening inside the body matters just as much as what's happening at the joint.
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