Why Treating the Cause Rather Than the Symptom Matters

Want to up your health and wellness game this year?

Tired of fad diets and viral workout trends that don’t help with mobility or flexibility?

If you want to go back to basics and get your health journey back on track, consider incorporating chiropractic care into your routine.

If you pluck a dandelion flower from your garden, the weed seems to be gone for a few weeks, only to return again. However, if you dig up the dandelion’s root, it does not come back. It is the same for issues caused by an underlying structural problem. If you want lasting relief, you need to treat the root cause. Why try to patch something when you can fix it?

If you’re tired of treating the same symptoms, give something new a try. Sit down with a professional at Pivotal Chiropractic and tell them about your conditions. After an examination, you may learn that a real solution is not as far as you might think and chiropractic care could be what you’ve been looking for.

Read more on our website!

Get Started with Chiropractic Care in Ann Arbor Today

We understand that healthcare choices are critical decisions and that you have many different options for chiropractic care in Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities. If you have back pain, neck pain, or tingling or numbness in your hands and feet, it’s time to see a chiropractor. To schedule a complimentary consultation, where a conversation is never a commitment, contact us at 734-221-0362.

What’s the Difference Between Structural Chiropractic Care and Conventional Chiropractic Care?

Most chiropractors you’ll find on your typical Google search are conventional chiropractors. They focus on reducing pain, inflammation, muscle spasms and increasing range of motion in joints.

They manage these health concerns with the use of general manipulations of the neck and spine. This is what most chiropractors offer in the way of care, and we believe that most of them do a great job.

As a Specific Structural Corrective Chiropractor, Dr. Gessert is dedicated to diagnosing and correcting the underlying cause of your condition. Through a comprehensive examination consisting of four tests, problem areas called Segmental Displacements are found and connected as the cause of your secondary conditions.

Through this examination process Dr. Gessert creates an individualized plan to correct these displacements of the spine which cause a myriad of secondary conditions (symptoms).  It is very common to find the cause of neck pain, back pain, sciatica, numbness and tingling and even headaches as a structural problem in the spine.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

1. Improved Function: When your car is out of alignment, performance will suffer.  The vehicle will not handle properly and thus it will not perform optimally.  Our body is the same way. When our structure is displaced (out of balance), our body will not function at its optimal level.   When our body is not functioning optimally, we may experience one or more secondary conditions or symptoms like headaches, neck pain, back pain, sciatica, or pain in the extremities.
2. Improved Mobility and Flexibility: Consistent chiropractic adjustments can enhance joint mobility and flexibility. By addressing restrictions in the spine and other joints, you’ll experience an increased range of motion, allowing for better flexibility and improved overall mobility.

Read more on our website!

Get Started with Chiropractic Care in Ann Arbor Today

We understand that healthcare choices are critical decisions and that you have many different options for chiropractic care in Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities. If you have back pain, neck pain, or tingling or numbness in your hands and feet, it’s time to see a chiropractor. To schedule a complimentary consultation, where a conversation is never a commitment, contact us at 734-221-0362.

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!
 

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!

Need Relief from Knee Pain?

Do you suffer from chronic knee pain? 

Have you tried everything to alleviate your pain with no luck? 

Hundreds of people everyday experience knee pain. It can occur with aging or due to injury or overuse.  A chiropractor may be able to treat your knee pain and address any underlying issues!

If your pain isn’t caused by an injury that requires surgical intervention, consider visiting a chiropractor in Ann Arbor to help treat painful knee conditions and concerns that get in the way of your mobility, like:

• Osteoarthritis: According to Healthline, this condition “occurs when the articular cartilage of the knee breaks down due to age or an injury. The bones then create friction that leads to pain, stiffness, and limited mobility”.  The pain can be worse in the morning of after a period of inactivity.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: Swelling and stiffness are symptoms of this autoimmune condition. Over time, rheumatoid arthritis can cause bone, cartilage, and joint damage.
• Patellar tendonitis: This is a repetitive injury that causes inflammation and weakness in the patellar tendon, which connects your kneecap to your shinbone. This condition is common in athletes.

Read more on our website!

Come to a Chiropractor in Ann Arbor Who Puts You First!

We understand that healthcare choices are critical decisions and that you have many different options in Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities. If you have back pain, neck pain, or tingling or numbness in your hands and feet, it’s time to see a chiropractor in Ann Arbor. To schedule a complimentary consultation, where a conversation is never a commitment, contact us at 734-221-0362.

Natural Remedies to Fight the Flu

Winter is in full swing and with the cold weather comes flu season. According to the CDC, the flu spreads through droplets, which are expelled by a person who has the flu via coughing, sneezing or talking. Often times a person is exposed to the virus when they touch a surface that has these droplets and then touch their mouth, eyes or nose.

A few signs of the flu according to the CDC include: fever, cough, sore, throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue.

This year, more than ever, we’re all very aware of any flu-like symptoms we might be experiencing. If you want to better prepare yourself to stay healthy this winter, read about natural remedies to fight the flu on our website!

How Chiropractic Care Can Strengthen Your Immune System

The brain and central nervous system control and regulate our entire body including the organs of the immune system. These include the thymus, tonsils, spleen and lymph nodes. Segmental displacements of the neck and spine can obstruct or block this neurological connection thus affecting the ability of the immune system to react to foreign pathogens. 

To keep yourself healthy, it’s important to take care of your health in all aspects! If you’ve been dealing with chronic pain or other issues like back pain, neck pain, numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, or migraine headaches, chiropractic care in Ann Arbor could be the solution for you. Contact us today to get started!

How to Strengthen Your Immune System during Flu Season

Cold and flu season is here, and this year it’s more challenging than ever!

Do you feel confident in your overall health? Are you wondering if there’s more natural remedies you can add to your daily routines to keep yourself protected from the flu?

The CDC says common signs and symptoms of the flu include: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue. 

As a specific correction chiropractor, Dr. Gessert recommends being proactive as opposed to reactive about your health. Instead of waiting to get the flu and treating the symptoms, there are many things you can do to protect yourself to make sure you never get it in the first place!

Read the full article about chiropractic care on our website!

To keep yourself healthy, it’s important to take care of your health in all aspects! If you’ve been dealing with chronic pain or other issues like back pain, neck pain, numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, or migraine headaches, chiropractic care in Ann Arbor could be the solution for you. Contact us today to get started!

Home Remedies vs Chiropractic Care for Injuries

Using ice for 10-15 minutes to reduce inflammation, then letting the tissues return to normal body temperature, followed by the application of heat for an additional 15-20 minutes to increase inflammation seems to help injuries recover faster.  As the level of pain goes down, adding in controlled active range of motion will further assist in this process. Think of this hot, cold, movement combination as a pumping action to flush out the injured area.

However, the PRICE method interferes with the inflammatory process by reducing it all together. View this time when your injury is inflamed as the first and maybe most important step in the healing process. If this initial phase of healing is completed properly it will ensure that you bounce back to 100% or in some cases even better than you were before the injury.

How can Chiropractic Care Help with Micro and Macro Injuries?

People who have injuries from a micro trauma, or one that is repetitive in nature, respond well to specific corrective care. These individuals may require stretches or general rehabilitation in addition to their regular spinal corrections. The key to bouncing back is to make sure the body has time to heal and most importantly help to facilitate the healing process.

Learn more on our website!

Get Back to Spring and Summer Activities with Help from Pivotal Chiropractic!

Chiropractic care can be beneficial to athletes, or just those of us who are more active – avid walkers, runners, cyclists, and people who work out regularly.

Outdoor activities and exercises performed with proper technique should not cause pain, even if you feel a little bit sore after a long hike or working out.

If you’re prone to injuries due to working out, weight lifting, or CrossFit, we can help you too! We understand that healthcare choices are critical decisions and that you have many different options for a chiropractor in Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities. If you have back pain, neck pain, or tingling or numbness in your hands and feet, it’s time to see a chiropractor. To schedule a complimentary consultation, where a conversation is never a commitment, contact us at 734-221-0362.

Chiropractic Care to Help with Injury Recovery

Spring is underway, and with warmer weather comes more time spent outdoors running, hiking, cycling, or starting a landscaping project.

These activities are great ways to spend more time with family and get some fresh air, but they also come with risk of injury.

Whether you’ve pulled a muscle or done more damage, being laid up for the summer is no fun. Make sure you take care of your body by healing properly and getting the care you need to get back to the activities you love!

What Happens When You Have a Muscle Injury?

When an injury occurs, soft tissue like muscles, ligaments, or tendons are damaged. This occurs through a macro or micro trauma. Macro is a large trauma usually resulting in a fracture, dislocation or laceration.

Micro is commonly referred to as an overuse injury. These types of injuries include tendonitis, bursitis, muscle strains and even disc bulges. Due to the constant repetitive stress, tissues break down over time and become weak. This also leaves them susceptible to macro trauma due to the weakened state of the tissue.

Read the full article on our website! 

If you’re prone to injuries due to working out, weight lifting, or CrossFit, we can help you too! We understand that healthcare choices are critical decisions and that you have many different options for a chiropractor in Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities. If you have back pain, neck pain, or tingling or numbness in your hands and feet, it’s time to see a chiropractor. To schedule a complimentary consultation, where a conversation is never a commitment, contact us at 734-221-0362.