Local Guide — Park Ridge, IL
CHIROPRACTIC CARE IN PARK RIDGE
Evidence-based chiropractic with Dr. Michael Gontarek, DC. McKenzie Method certified. The goal is to fix the problem and teach you how to keep it fixed—not to schedule you forever.
WHY MOONSHOT IS DIFFERENT
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.
The Maintenance Problem
Many chiropractic clinics lock you into long treatment plans with 3x/week adjustments for months. 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.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST VISIT
Comprehensive Evaluation (45-60 Minutes)
Your first visit is not a quick crack-and-go. Dr. Gontarek takes 45-60 minutes to assess your movement patterns, pain behavior, medical history, and functional limitations. This is a full mechanical assessment—not a surface-level exam followed by a standard adjustment.
Mechanical Classification
Using the McKenzie Method, your pain is classified by how it responds to specific movements and positions. This tells us whether your problem is a derangement, dysfunction, or postural syndrome—and determines the exact treatment approach. No guesswork, no generic protocols.
Treatment + Education
Treatment combines hands-on manual therapy with corrective exercises you can do at home. You leave every visit understanding why you're doing each exercise and how it addresses your specific problem. This isn't a passive experience—you become an active participant in your recovery.
Clear Treatment Plan
You get a concrete plan: how many visits, what milestones to track, and what "done" looks like. If additional services would accelerate recovery—dry needling, shockwave therapy, trigger point injections, or IASTM—Dr. Gontarek will recommend them with clear reasoning.
CONDITIONS WE TREAT
Back Pain
Lower back pain is the most common reason patients visit. Whether it's acute (sudden onset) or chronic (lingering for months), 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—not just the symptom—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. We identify whether your headaches have a mechanical origin and treat accordingly.
Sciatica
Pain radiating down the leg is often driven by a disc derangement in the lower spine. The McKenzie Method is particularly effective for sciatica—identifying the directional preference that centralizes and reduces radiating 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 the same evidence-based principles: accurate diagnosis, targeted treatment, and progressive loading. We get you back to training—not just out of pain.
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.
LOCATION & HOURS
Moonshot Medical and Performance
542 Busse Hwy
Park Ridge, IL 60068
- Tuesday-Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
5-star Google rating — 70+ reviews
Serving the Northwest Suburbs
Patients come to Moonshot from across the northwest Chicago suburbs:
- Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Niles
- Edison Park, Norwood Park, Rosemont
- Morton Grove, Glenview, Skokie
- Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights
Conveniently located near I-90 and the Park Ridge Metra station. No referral needed—book directly online.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Where can I find a good chiropractor in Park Ridge, IL?
Moonshot Medical and Performance is located at 542 Busse Hwy, Park Ridge, IL 60068. Dr. Michael Gontarek, DC, MSc, DACBN is McKenzie Method certified and focuses on evidence-based chiropractic care. 5-star Google rating with 70+ reviews. No referral needed—book directly online.
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.
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor in Illinois?
No. In the state of Illinois, you do not need a referral from your primary care physician to see a chiropractor. You can book directly with Dr. Gontarek through our website.
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.
How many chiropractic visits will I need?
Most patients see significant improvement within 6-8 visits. Your first visit is a 45-60 minute comprehensive evaluation where Dr. Gontarek builds a clear treatment plan with defined milestones. The goal is to get you better and teach you how to stay better—not to schedule you for indefinite maintenance adjustments.
What conditions does the chiropractor at Moonshot 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. BCBS PPO accepted. Park Ridge location.
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