How Does a Specific Structural Correction Chiropractor Treat Hip Pain?

Structural chiropractic focuses on the relationship between the spine, joints, discs, nerves and nervous system recognizing that displacements in the spine and pelvic structures impact various areas of the body including the hips.  

1. Accurate diagnosis: A comprehensive structural correction chiropractic examination will identify the root cause of your hip pain. During this examination we will assess your condition with orthopedic and neurological testing as well as your posture, range of motion and spinal alignment. In some cases, additional diagnostic tests such as X-rays or MRI scans may be ordered to gather more information. 

2. Spinal Corrections: During the initial phase of care, spinal corrections including hip and extremity adjustments are used to correct displacements of the spine and pelvis. These corrections relieve pressure on the nerves, hip joints and spinal discs thus improving overall joint function which reduces hip pain.

3. Lifestyle Recommendations: In addition to hands-on spinal corrections, specific structural corrective chiropractic provides lifestyle recommendations to support the initial phase of care and to prevent future hip problems.  These may include in-office spinal remodeling exercises or a home stretching and strengthen program for the hip and spinal muscles.

Read more on our website!

Certain forms of hip pain may not be treatable with Structural Chiropractic care from a chiropractor in Ann Arbor. Some causes of hip pain may need further evaluation by an orthopedist or physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor. 

If you’re tired of never-ending hip pain, consider seeing Dr. Gessert for relief through specific structural chiropractic care! Contact us today.

The Cardiovascular Benefits of Cold Showers

Do you prefer taking hot showers?

If the idea of taking a cold shower is unappealing, you’re not alone; most people prefer warm showers. But despite how unpleasant they can feel, cold showers have more cardiovascular benefits than hot ones.

Here are three major health benefits to cold showers:

Faster recovery for athletes
After a strenuous workout, it’s common for athletes to relax in an ice bath. Not only does this numb them to any post-workout pain, but the cold water reduces inflammation and speeds up the recovery process. You can get similar benefits from taking a chilly shower after intense training sessions.

Healthy skin and hair
Does your hair or skin feel extra dry after a hot shower? Hot water strips moisture from your skin and hair almost instantly. To avoid moisture loss, turn down the temperature when you jump in the shower—your hair and skin will look and feel a lot better in the long run.

Better circulation
Good cardiovascular health depends on getting enough blood pumping through your veins. Alternating between hot and cold water in the shower is an easy way to boost circulation. Cold water causes your blood to move towards your organs to conserve heat, and warm water brings it to the surface of your skin.

Learn more surprising benefits of cold showers here.

Work Towards a Healthy Heart with Chiropractic Care in Ann Arbor

There’s much more to cardiovascular health than taking a cold shower! Regular visits to a chiropractor can help support a healthy lifestyle and recovery from injury by protecting your joints, spinal discs and nerves If you are looking for outstanding chiropractic care in Ann Arbor, call Pivotal Chiropractic at (734) 221-0362 or schedule a complimentary consultation!

Lift Your Spirits with a Cold Shower

Did you know that cold showers can benefit your mood?

Along with cardiovascular benefits, taking a cold shower can boost your energy and help ease depression.

To enjoy a boost to your health and energy that lasts all day, start off with hot water and slowly adjust the temperature until it’s cold but tolerable. Spend at least five minutes under the water before getting out.

Increased energy
Stepping into a cold shower instantly ramps up your heart rate, and the rush of blood through your body will quickly wake you up. You might even find that a few minutes under cold water is just as effective as a piping hot cup of coffee.

Natural Depression Treatment
Research from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine revealed that short, cold showers can activate the “blue spot” in a person’s brain. This area is the brain’s main source of nor-adrenaline, a feel-good chemical known for relieving feelings of depression.

Read more about the surprising benefits of cold showers here.

Feel Good with Chiropractic Care in Ann Arbor

A healthy heart is an immediate boost your energy and mood. Regular visits to a chiropractor can help support a healthy lifestyle and recovery from injury by protecting your joints, spinal discs and nerves. If you are looking for outstanding chiropractic care in Ann Arbor, call Pivotal Chiropractic at (734) 221-0362 or schedule a complimentary consultation!
 

Seated Exercises to Relieve Back Pain

Need a solution to help with back pain you can start right now?

If back pain has you down, take a seat and listen up. You can start on the path to less pain right now from the comfort of your chair with these three simple exercises.

For these exercises, you can sit on the floor or a chair. Keep your core muscles tight throughout the movements to support your back.

1. Hamstring: Stretch one leg straight in front of you. With your back straight, reach for your foot and pull your belly toward your thigh. Stretch until you feel tension in your back and the back of your leg. If you can’t reach your foot, it’s okay to bend your knees a little as long as you still feel the stretch in your hamstring. Hold for ten seconds and repeat on the other side.
2. Rotational: Sit on the floor or in a chair. Cross your right leg over your left. Then place your left elbow against the outside of the right knee so your shoulders rotate away from your legs. Press against your knee gently to deepen the stretch. Hold for ten seconds and repeat on the other side.
3. Bracing: Keep your back straight with your hands resting on your lower abs. Tighten your core muscles to pull your belly button in towards your spine. Take three slow breaths while pulling your belly button in farther with each exhale. Relax and repeat at least ten times.

Read more about relieving everyday back pain on our website!

For better results, make the time to do these exercises twice a day every day. For best results, pair your workouts with a free consultation with us at Pivotal Chiropractic. There is no better way to beat back pain in Ann Arbor than by letting us build a custom plan for you. Give us a call today.
 

Lying Down Exercises for Back Pain

Dealing with back pain but don’t have a clue how to resolve it?

You’re not alone and you don’t have to take the pain lying down. Instead, start working on your pain lying down. Set aside a few minutes twice a day to complete these four lying down back exercises and you should start feeling some relief!

With each of these exercises, you’ll start in the same position, lying down on the floor with bent knees and feet flat on the floor. To support your spine throughout the exercises, keep your core muscles tight.

1. Knee to Chest: Slowly bring one knee up towards your chest and use your arms to pull the knee inward, or simply hold, for five seconds.
2. Rotational: Keeping your shoulders anchored to the floor, drop your knees in a controlled motion to one side of your body. Hold the stretch for ten seconds, then switch to the other side.  
3. Bridge: With your shoulders anchored on the floor, press with your feet to lift your hips skyward. Press until your body is a straight line from your knees to your shoulders and hold for five seconds. Repeat at least ten times.
4. Pelvic Tilt: Gently roll your pelvis to arch your back and push your stomach out. Hold for five seconds. Roll your pelvis in to press your lower back to the floor and tighten your ab muscles. Hold for five seconds. Repeat at least ten times.

Read more about relieving every day back pain on our website!

Once you’ve finished your first round with these exercises, don’t stop there. Take the next step to conquering your back pain in Ann Arbor and call the professionals. At Pivotal Chiropractic, we want to help you feel your best. Reach out today for a free consultation.

Seeing a Chiropractor Can Help Improve Gut Health

Do you struggle with digestive issues?

Are you tired of making excuses to stay home from parties, vacations, or even missing work due to gut problems?

Millions of Americans struggle with digestive issues that impact their day-to-day lives. If you've tried everything with no relief, have you considered seeing a chiropractor in Ann Arbor?

Many people think of a chiropractor as just a doctor that can help with back or neck pain, but a chiropractor can also help relieve bloating and other issues due to digestion.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, “our gut microbiome describes the microbes and their genetic material found in our gastrointestinal tract. And we know the bacteria in our gut affect everything from our digestion to our mental health.”

A normal digestive process is crucial to our survival. If interferes with this bodily function, it could create a cascading effect of declining health. If we can’t extract the vital nutrients our body needs from our food, then our health and ability to function properly is compromised.

Learn more on our website.

Complimentary Consultations – Always a Conversation, but Never a Commitment

We offer complimentary consultations to sit down and talk with the doctor about your condition, about our unique approach to treating patients, and how we’re different from other chiropractors in the Ann Arbor, Saline, or Dexter communities.

If Dr. Gessert determines that you’re a candidate for care, he will build a customized care plan for you. The plan will focus on the structural and neurological correction of your spine and address the causes of your condition.

To schedule a complimentary consultation, please contact us today!

How Chiropractic Care Can Improve Digestion

Did you know that your digestive health can impact your entire body?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, “our gut microbiome describes the microbes and their genetic material found in our gastrointestinal tract. And we know the bacteria in our gut affect everything from our digestion to our mental health.”

A normal digestive process is crucial to our survival. If interferes with this bodily function, it could create a cascading effect of declining health. If we can’t extract the vital nutrients our body needs from our food, then our health and ability to function properly is compromised.
Digestive Tract

When we eat a meal, our body immediately begins the process of digestion. This starts in the mouth where chewing breaks down food. The process continues when food is swallowed, travels down the esophagus, and enters the stomach. When food hits the stomach, hydrochloric acid further breaks down the meal. After the food is broken down it travels into the small intestine. Throughout its length it has many folds, which helps to maximize its surface area for nutrient absorption.

In this stage of digestion, the liver and gallbladder produce and secrete bile into the small intestine to breakdown fat. The liver also processes and regulates many nutrients as they enter the blood stream. In addition to nutrient regulation, the liver produces cholesterol, and filters the blood of toxins. The Pancreas, located just below the liver and behind the stomach, secretes additional enzymes to further aid in digestive breakdown. The pancreas is crucial in the regulation of blood sugar. It secretes insulin when blood sugar levels rise after a meal. Insulin binds to receptors on muscle and fat cells to initiate the uptake of sugar. Sugar is then used as energy or stored in the form of fat.

Once food has passed through this portion of the lower digestive tract, roughly 90% of the nutrients have been absorbed. At this point the digested food moves into the large intestine. The large intestine is responsible for absorbing water and is the home of many bacteria that aid in the final stages of digestion. These bacteria extract the remaining amounts of nutrients from the digested food producing waste.

Learn more about how a chiropractor in Ann Arbor can help with your digestive issues on our website. 

Complimentary Consultations – Always a Conversation, but Never a Commitment

We offer complimentary consultations to sit down and talk with the doctor about your condition, about our unique approach to treating patients, and how we’re different from other chiropractors in the Ann Arbor, Saline, or Dexter communities.

If Dr. Gessert determines that you’re a candidate for care, he will build a customized care plan for you. The plan will focus on the structural and neurological correction of your spine and address the causes of your condition.

To schedule a complimentary consultation, please contact us today!