How to Keep Cool While Exercising Outdoors

From Dr. Gessert: From time to time I meet members of the community who are just as excited about helping people as I am. They’re knowledgeable in their field and do a great job at helping people to change their life. On occasion I invite these folks to share vital health information. At Pivotal, we believe that chiropractic care can work hand-in-hand with other types of healthcare to help people.

This month, we hear from Nicola Gerrett, who has researching human body temperature regulation for more than 10 years. 

When you exercise, your body produces heat and the body is able to keep its core temperature within safe boundaries through two key mechanisms; behavioral and autonomic regulation. Behavior is our first line of defense, and some obvious examples include seeking shade, turning on/off air conditioners and how we dress.

The most effective autonomic response that humans possess is the evaporation of sweat from the skin surface, which helps cool the skin and the blood below the skin surface, sending cooler blood back to the core. Sweating is a highly effective strategy and is almost unique to humans. The only other mammals that sweat across their entire skin surface are horses, camels and some cattle.
Sweating is extremely important for controlling our body temperature but if we do not replace the water we lose via sweating then we increase the risk of dehydration.

Some final tips for safe summer outdoor exercise:

• Hydrate with cold fluids containing some sodium and carbohydrates at least 4 hours before you exercise
• Avoid exercise during the hottest parts of the day (12-4pm)
• Wear loose fitting and light colored clothes
• Re-hydrate after exercise with cold fluids, containing some sodium and carbohydrates

Learn more about preventing heat-related illness while exercising on our website!

Choose Pivotal Chiropractic in Ann Arbor

Pivotal Chiropractic is a a Specific Structural Correction chiropractic office in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where we focus on correcting the cause of your condition rather than just treating the symptoms. We’ll work with you to create a plan of care specifically customized for you and your condition.

Complimentary Consultations – Always a Conversation, 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 chiropractic practices 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 to Prevent Heat-Related Illness

From Nicola Gerrett, our August guest blogger! Nicola has been researching human body temperature regulation for more than 10 years.

 Summertime provides us with more opportunities to enjoy sports and exercise outside, but as air temperature rises, so does the risk of heat related incidences, such as heat syncope (fainting), heat cramps, heat strain, and heat stroke. This is exacerbated if there is little cloud cover (i.e., increased radiation from the sun) and if the relative humidity is high. But there are a few guiding principles to protect yourself from heat related incidences, and any reductions in exercise performance or recovery.

When you exercise your body produces heat and the body is able to keep its core temperature within safe boundaries through two key mechanisms; behavioral and autonomic regulation. Behavior is our first line of defense, and some obvious examples include seeking shade, turning on/off air conditioners and how we dress.

Find out how to prevent heat-related illness on our website!

Choose Pivotal Chiropractic in Ann Arbor

Pivotal Chiropractic is a a Specific Structural Correction chiropractic office in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where we focus on correcting the cause of your condition rather than just treating the symptoms. We’ll work with you to create a plan of care specifically customized for you and your condition.

Complimentary Consultations – Always a Conversation, 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 chiropractic practices 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 Can a Chiropractor Relieve Lower Back Pain from Exercising?

Did you know a trainer or weightlifting coach and specific correction chiropractic can work together to help you get the best results from your workouts? Personal trainers and weightlifting coaches want to make sure your muscles engage with the correct order and timing while performing a movement.

When you feel better, you work out better, and you’ll be able to stick to your workout schedule without taking long breaks to relieve an injury. 

If you have injured your lower back, neck or any other part of your body in the gym, you have options when it comes to treatment. Everything from over-the-counter medications, massage, foam rolling, and stretching. The list goes on and on. But why would you want to see a chiropractor, especially a specific correction chiropractor?

Most people think that strength training will only aggravate injuries, but did you know strength training exercises are a great way to stay fit generally, but also improve mobility, confidence and overall health, including lower back pain?

When done properly, strength exercises do exactly that – strengthen weak muscles in your legs, core, and back, which will give you more support over time and help reduce back pain.

Read the full article about preventing lower back pain on our website!

Our goal at Pivotal Chiropractic is to make sure there are no blockages in your nervous system as a result of an injury that would cause weakness in any extremities or affect the nerve communication in your body.

Specific Correction Chiropractic care will help any active person whether it be the weekend warrior training for a 5k or the seasoned weightlifter performing at the competitive level.

As a Specific Structural Corrective Chiropractor, Dr. Gessert is dedicated to diagnosing and correcting the underlying cause of your lower back pain. 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.

Is Working Out Causing Your Lower Back Pain?

Do you suffer from frequent lower back pain?

Do you notice pain more after you’ve just finished a tough workout? Are you worried that the exercises themselves or poor form while working out are contributing to your lower back pain?

Many nerves run through your spine, so lower back pain can actually lead to leg pain, hip problems, and overall decreased mobility. Protecting your lower back while working out can prevent direct injury, and control progression of a problem that may have already occurred.

Decrease your risk of a lower back injury by:

1. Strengthening your core muscles: A strong and supported core helps to support your spine! While working out, you’ve probably realized that all core exercises rely on your back in some way. Keep your spine protected by keeping your lower back flush to the floor, or during sit-ups and crunches, make sure you’re not arching your back.

Read the full article about preventing lower back pain on our website!

Our goal at Pivotal Chiropractic is to make sure there are no blockages in your nervous system as a result of an injury that would cause weakness in any extremities or affect the nerve communication in your body.

Specific Correction Chiropractic care will help any active person whether it be the weekend warrior training for a 5k or the seasoned weightlifter performing at the competitive level.

As a Specific Structural Corrective Chiropractor, Dr. Gessert is dedicated to diagnosing and correcting the underlying cause of your lower back pain. 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.

How to Treat the Root Cause of Back Pain

Do you have chronic back pain?

Are you tired of canceling plans and even having to call out of work because of pain? It’s time to start treating the root cause, rather than temporary pain relief. A specific structural correction chiropractor treats the root cause of your pain, not just the symptoms. Why is that so important?

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’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!

Come to Pivotal Chiropractic in Ann Arbor for a Chiropractor 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. To schedule a complimentary consultation, contact us at 734-221-0362.

Tips for Managing Back Pain

Did you know back pain is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor or miss work? It’s also a leading cause of disability worldwide. 

Back pain can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). It can either feel like a sudden, sharp pain, or a dull, constant ache. While acute back pain can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, chronic pain can last for months and often requires medical care to go away, while acute pain usually gets better on its own. 

If you suffer from back pain, you know how debilitating it can be. How can you prevent back pain? Going to a chiropractor regularly can help reduce your pain and even get to the root of your issues, but there are also things you can do in between adjustments to keep pain away. 

1. Do gentle muscle stretching exercises at least 2-3 days per week. 
2. Fix your office space ergonomics, this includes adjusting your computer monitor, keyboard, and chair height. 

Read the full article on our website! 

Come to Pivotal Chiropractic in Ann Arbor for a Chiropractor 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. To schedule a complimentary consultation, contact us at 734-221-0362.

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.