Local Guide — Niles, IL
CHIROPRACTOR NEAR NILES, IL
Evidence-based chiropractic care just 4 miles from Niles. Dr. Michael Gontarek, DC uses the McKenzie Method to fix the problem and teach you how to keep it fixed—not schedule you for life.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Michael Gontarek, DC, MSc, DACBN · April 12, 2026
WHY NILES RESIDENTS CHOOSE MOONSHOT
Moonshot Medical and Performance is located at 542 Busse Hwy in Park Ridge—about 4 miles south of Niles via Milwaukee Ave. An 8-minute drive for chiropractic care that's built to get you better, not keep you coming back.
The Problem with Most Chiropractors
Many chiropractic clinics in the Niles and northwest suburbs area use a maintenance model—3x/week adjustments for months, long-term treatment plans designed to keep you on the schedule. You feel temporary relief after each visit, but nothing changes long-term. The adjustment becomes the product, not the outcome.
The result: You stay dependent on adjustments instead of learning how to manage and resolve the problem yourself.
The Moonshot Approach
Dr. Gontarek uses the McKenzie Method—one of the most researched approaches in spinal rehabilitation. Every visit combines manual therapy with corrective exercises and patient education. You learn what's causing the problem and what to do about it on your own.
The result: Most patients see significant improvement within 6-8 visits. The goal is graduation, not dependency. That's worth the 8-minute drive from Niles.
MEET DR. MICHAEL GONTAREK
Dr. Michael Gontarek holds a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition, and is a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition (DACBN). He is McKenzie Method certified—a credential that requires advanced training in mechanical diagnosis and therapy for spinal and extremity conditions.
This combination of chiropractic expertise and clinical nutrition training means Dr. Gontarek can evaluate musculoskeletal problems alongside the metabolic and nutritional factors that often contribute to chronic pain, inflammation, and slow recovery.
At Moonshot, Dr. Gontarek has access to a full suite of rehab tools beyond standard chiropractic adjustments: dry needling, shockwave therapy, trigger point injections, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM). Your treatment plan uses whichever combination will get you better fastest—not whatever generates the most visits.
CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES FOR NILES PATIENTS
Chiropractic Adjustments
Targeted spinal and extremity adjustments guided by McKenzie Method assessment. Every adjustment has a specific mechanical purpose—restoring motion where it's restricted and reducing pain at its source. No cookie-cutter protocols.
Dry Needling
Thin filament needles target myofascial trigger points—those stubborn knots that refer pain to other areas. Effective for chronic muscle tension, headaches, and pain that hasn't responded to stretching or massage alone. Learn more.
Shockwave Therapy
Acoustic wave therapy that accelerates healing in tendons, fascia, and connective tissue. Strong evidence for plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, and calcific tendinitis. Non-invasive with no downtime. Learn more.
Trigger Point Injections
For trigger points that don't resolve with dry needling or manual therapy, targeted injections can break the pain cycle. Performed in-office with immediate relief for many patients dealing with chronic myofascial pain.
Physical Rehab
Corrective exercise programming that addresses the root cause of your pain—not just the symptoms. Every patient gets a home exercise plan designed to build the stability and mobility needed to keep the problem from coming back.
IASTM
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization breaks up scar tissue and adhesions that restrict movement and cause pain. Particularly effective for post-surgical recovery, chronic tendinopathy, and fascial restrictions.
CONDITIONS WE TREAT
Back Pain
The most common reason patients visit. Whether acute or chronic, the McKenzie assessment identifies the mechanical pattern driving your symptoms and the specific movements that reduce them.
Neck Pain
Desk work, phone posture, and poor ergonomics are behind most neck pain. We address the root cause through mechanical assessment, manual therapy, and corrective exercises that create lasting change.
Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches originate from neck dysfunction. When the cervical spine is the driver, chiropractic care is one of the most effective treatments available.
Sciatica
Pain radiating down the leg is often driven by a disc derangement. The McKenzie Method is particularly effective for sciatica—identifying the directional preference that centralizes and reduces symptoms.
Joint Pain
Shoulder, hip, and knee pain often have mechanical causes that respond to targeted manual therapy and corrective exercise. We assess the joint, identify contributing factors, and build a plan to restore function.
Sports Injuries
From weekend warriors to competitive athletes, musculoskeletal injuries respond to evidence-based principles: accurate diagnosis, targeted treatment, and progressive loading to get you back to training.
INSURANCE & PRICING
BCBS PPO
We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans. Your visit is billed through insurance with standard copay or coinsurance based on your plan.
Cash Pay
Transparent cash pricing with no surprise bills. You know what you owe before you walk in. HSA and FSA funds accepted.
Out-of-Network
If your plan is out-of-network, we provide superbills you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement. Many patients recover a significant portion of their costs.
No referral needed in Illinois. No long-term contracts. No pressure to sign up for a treatment plan you don't need.
GETTING HERE FROM NILES
Directions
From central Niles, take Milwaukee Ave south toward Park Ridge. Turn right onto Busse Hwy—Moonshot Medical and Performance is at 542 Busse Hwy, on the north side of the street. The entire drive is about 4 miles and takes roughly 8 minutes depending on traffic.
Free parking is available at the office. The clinic is also accessible from Touhy Ave or Dempster St for patients coming from the east side of Niles.
Location Details
Moonshot Medical and Performance
542 Busse Hwy
Park Ridge, IL 60068
(224) 435-4280
5-star Google rating — 147 reviews
Conveniently located near I-90 and the Dee Road Metra station. Serving Niles, Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Morton Grove, Skokie, and the northwest Chicago suburbs.
COMMON QUESTIONS FROM NILES PATIENTS
Where can I find a good chiropractor near Niles, IL?
Moonshot Medical and Performance is located at 542 Busse Hwy, Park Ridge, IL 60068—just 4 miles from Niles (about an 8-minute drive via Milwaukee Ave). Dr. Michael Gontarek, DC, MSc, DACBN is McKenzie Method certified with a 5-star Google rating and 147 reviews. No referral needed—book directly online.
How far is Moonshot from Niles, IL?
Moonshot is approximately 4 miles south of central Niles in Park Ridge. The drive takes about 8 minutes via Milwaukee Ave south to Busse Hwy. Free parking is available at the office.
Does the chiropractor at Moonshot accept insurance?
Yes. Moonshot accepts BCBS PPO insurance for chiropractic visits. We also offer transparent cash pricing and provide superbills for patients with out-of-network plans so you can submit for reimbursement.
What is the McKenzie Method and why does it matter?
The McKenzie Method (Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy) is an evidence-based assessment and treatment system for spinal and extremity pain. It classifies your pain by how it responds to specific movements, identifies the exercises that reduce your symptoms, and teaches you how to manage the problem independently. It's one of the most researched approaches in physical rehabilitation. Learn more about our chiropractic approach.
What makes Moonshot different from other chiropractors near Niles?
Most chiropractic offices are built on a maintenance model—keep you coming back indefinitely. Moonshot is built on the opposite: get you better and get you out. Dr. Gontarek uses the McKenzie Method, and most patients see significant improvement within 6-8 visits. Plus, you get access to dry needling, shockwave therapy, trigger point injections, and physical rehab all under one roof.
What conditions does the chiropractor near Niles treat?
Dr. Gontarek treats back pain, neck pain, headaches, sciatica, joint pain, and sports injuries. In addition to chiropractic adjustments, Moonshot offers dry needling, shockwave therapy, trigger point injections, and IASTM for a comprehensive approach to musculoskeletal care.
References
- 1. Clare HA, Adams R, Maher CG. "A systematic review of efficacy of McKenzie therapy for spinal pain." Aust J Physiother. 2004;50(4):209-216.
- 2. Coulter ID, et al. "Manipulation and mobilization for treating chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis." Spine J. 2018;18(5):866-879.
- 3. Paige NM, et al. "Association of Spinal Manipulative Therapy With Clinical Benefit and Harm for Acute Low Back Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." JAMA. 2017;317(14):1451-1460.
READY TO FIX THE PROBLEM?
Evidence-based chiropractic. McKenzie Method certified. Insurance accepted. Just 8 minutes from Niles.
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